MDEM Newsroom - Page 51 MDEM Newsroom
FEMA, Red Cross and Ad Council Launch New Ready Business PSAs to Urge Small Businesses to Prepare in Advance of an Emergency
June 13th, 2011Up to forty percent of businesses affected by a natural or man-made major disaster never reopen
Washington, D.C., June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Up to 40% of businesses affected by a natural or man-made disaster never reopen, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In a nationwide effort to raise the business community’s awareness about how to prepare their businesses and employees in the event of an emergency, the Advertising Council, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross, announced today the launch of new public service advertisements (PSAs) on behalf of Ready Business.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses represent more than 99 percent of all employers. Unfortunately, small to medium-sized businesses are also the most vulnerable in the event of an emergency. An Ad Council survey reported that nearly two-thirds (62%) of respondents said they do not have an emergency plan in place for their business. By taking steps ahead of time, many of these businesses can be better prepared to survive and recover after an emergency.
“Businesses small and large make up the backbone of economies in communities across our country,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Putting a disaster plan in motion now will improve the likelihood that businesses and organizations will not only survive and recover themselves, but also help their neighbors and communities recover more quickly.”
Produced pro bono by advertising agency Brunner, the new television, radio, print, outdoor and Web banners encourage owners of small- to medium-sized businesses to take steps to prepare and plan in advance of an emergency in order to reduce the risk of losing their business in the event of a disaster. All of the PSAs direct audiences to visit www.ready.gov/business for online resources, including the Red Cross Ready Rating business preparedness assessment tool. This free, interactive tool provides business owners with a clear picture of the preparedness level of their business and what further steps they need to take to get their business ready.
“We never know when or where disaster may strike, but we all want to be ready to protect our employees, families, and our communities,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the Red Cross. “Everyone needs to play a role in emergency preparedness, and Ready Rating™ helps businesses and organizations understand if they are ready for an emergency.”
“We are proud to partner with the Red Cross and FEMA to provide small business owners nationwide with the vital tools they need to take precautionary actions in advance of emergencies,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “I strongly believe that these new PSAs will engage and motivate the business community to take the proper steps towards preparedness to protect their employees, operations and assets.”
“We are proud to be associated with the important work FEMA is doing to educate Americans about being smart when it comes to preparing for disaster, especially at a time when many areas of the country are experiencing such dangerous and unpredictable weather,” said Brunner President Scott Morgan. “The creative dramatizes the aftereffects of a disaster in order to give small business owners a sense of the potential magnitude of the destruction. Our goal is to get them to be preemptive and develop a contingency plan well before disaster strikes.”
Launched in 2004, Ready Business is an extension of FEMA and the Ad Council’s Ready campaign. Since its launch, media outlets have donated more than $129 million in advertising time and space for the PSAs. The new PSAs will air in advertising time that will be entirely donated by the media.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
The Advertising Council
The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organization that marshals talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce, distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies. The Ad Council addresses issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventive health, education, community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening families.
(Ads can be viewed at http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/adcouncil/50292/)
Maryland Deadline to Apply for SBA Working Capital Disaster Loans Due to Drought is July 5
June 7th, 2011ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses that July 5 is the filing deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans available in Somerset and Worcester counties in Maryland. The SBA declared a disaster because of drought and excessive heat that began on April 1, 2010.
“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.
Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Except for aquaculture enterprises, agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA, but nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with a 4 percent interest rate for eligible small businesses and 3 percent for non-profit organizations with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., ET or by sending an e-mail to[email protected]. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Those affected by the disaster may apply for loans from SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than July 5, 2011.
Traffic Advisory: Viewing and Funeral for Trooper First Class Shaft Hunter
May 26th, 2011(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police, Baltimore County Police, and State Highway Administration personnel are coordinating traffic operations plans, but motorists should be aware of potentially heavy traffic and traffic delays associated with the viewing, funeral, and funeral procession for Maryland State Police TFC Shaft Hunter.
VIEWING: Beginning Thursday afternoon and lasting until 9:00 p.m., motorists should be aware of heavier than normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area of the Vaughn Green Funeral Home, in the 8700-block of Liberty Road at Brenbrook Drive in Randallstown. Pedestrians will be crossing Brenbrook Drive and Liberty Road. Baltimore County Police and Maryland State Police will be on-scene to assist.
FUNERAL: On Friday beginning at 8:00 a.m., motorists should be aware of heavier than normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic on Old Court Road from Liberty Road to the New Antioch Baptist Church in the 5600-block of Old Court Road. At about 9:00 a.m. on Friday, police will close northbound Old Court Road from Windsor Mill Road to Liberty Road. The northbound roadway is expected to remain closed until 2:00 p.m. Southbound Old Court Road will remain open.
The funeral of TFC Hunter will begin at 11:00 a.m. and is expected to conclude at about 1:00 p.m., although a longer service is possible. It will take about 30 minutes for those attending to return to their vehicles and the procession to be ready to begin.
PROCESSION: The funeral procession is expected to begin leaving the 5600-block of Old Court Road between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The procession will head northbound on Old Court Road to Liberty Road. It will proceed east on Liberty Road to I-695. Upon entering I-695 west, the procession will head toward I-83.
The procession will take I-83 north and turn east on Padonia Road. The procession will end at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Police will be closing intersections and ramps momentarily as the procession moves along the route to the cemetery.
The interment at Dulaney Valley is expected to end sometime between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Motorists in the Timonium area should expect heavier than normal traffic through rush hour Friday.
Governor Conducts Hurricane Preparedness Exercise
May 25th, 2011
Cabinet Level Secretaries Participate and Discuss Maryland’s Response
BALTIMORE, MD (May 24, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley hosted a Cabinet level exercise yesterday designed to ready all State agencies and test preparedness for
 |
| Governor Martin O’Malley, Chief of Staff Matt Gallagher and MEMA’s Executive Director Richard Muth listen intently as Hurricane Preparations are discussed with The Governor’s Cabinet. |
Maryland’s hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA),which oversees all-hazards disaster planning for the state, designed the exercise, which involved a Category 3 hurricaneimpacting Maryland’s coastline and then moving inland. “We designed the scenario to be as real as possible where each
 |
| Meteorologist Chris Strong of the national Weather Service provides the 2011 Hurricane Prediction briefing to members of the Governor’s Cabinet during the 2011 Hurricane Preparedness exercise. |
player has an active role,” said MEMA’s Executive Director, Richard Muth, a former local emergency manager with first-hand experience during 2003 when Tropical Storm Isabel wreaked havoc in Baltimore County. “It is important we test our response to what we could see in a real world event so our senior leaders know what to expect and how to respond, and that we interact and meet key leaders who will be making decisions during a critical event.”
 |
| Joshua Sharfstein, Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene stresses a point during the Governor’s Cabinet Level Hurricane Preparedness Exercise. |
Muth explained that when conducting these exercises, there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer and not everything is absolute. “Each storm is different and we have to respond according to the path of the storm and the challenges it presents,” Muth said. “Adapting our plans, being flexible, thinking outside of the box are all steps we must be willing to take to effectively manage any disaster,”
Muth said, adding, “Most importantly, too, is whether it is the state, a specific agency or a family – you must have a plan.”
 |
| Members of the Governor’s Cabinet met in Annapolis on May 23, 2011 to discuss hurricane preparedness and response. |
Plans give you guidance, Muth said, and can be scalable and flexible to any event. But if you are going to be successful, Muth explained, then not only must you have a plan but you should test it.
Today, he noted, was all about testing those plans and meeting key decision makers. “You do not want the day an event like this occurs to be the first day you see the plan or have interacted with other state agencies”, Muth said.
Maryland’s Hurricane season begins June 1 and the National Weather Service is predicting an active season with potentially 12-18 named storms impacting the Atlantic. For more information about preparedness for hurricanes and other disasters go to www.mema.state.md.us. Follow MEMA on TWITTER at www.twitter.com/mema_feeds.
How To Help Tornado Survivors in Joplin, Mo. or Other States
May 25th, 2011To help manage the generous outpouring of support for Joplin, Mo., tornado survivors, disaster recovery experts have established some simple ways to help, whether volunteering or making donations.
Along with our partners at the Missouri Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, here are some specific ways to help those impacted by the recent storms and tornadoes.
Donate or Volunteer
- The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency hasestablished a web portal to coordinate donations and volunteers. Keep in mind that cash is the preferred method because it offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources and pumps money into the local economy to help businesses recover as well.
- Those in Missouri can also call 2-1-1 in most areas for information on volunteering their time or making a donation. This 2-1-1 service, operated by the United Way, is available through much of Missouri. For those who are out of state or unable to get through on 2-1-1, call 1-800-427-4626. Those with medical skills interested in volunteering can go online at www.showmeresponse.org
Remember, unsolicited donated goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, and mixed or perishable foodstuffs require helping agencies to redirect valuable resources away from providing services to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.
Sheltering
- Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 2-1-1, or 800-427-4626, or go towww.redcross.orgfor a list of open shelters. For individuals with a hearing loss, call 7-1-1 or use Video Relay Service to reach 2-1-1 or 800-427-4626.
Helping survivors in other states
- For those who have been affected in Minnesota or other states outside Missouri or those who want to help can visitwww.fema.gov/howtohelp.
Other Resources
If you or someone you know is looking for a friend or relative who may have been affected the storms, visit www.Redcross.org/safeandwell.
MEMA Urges Residents to Prepare for Summer Storms as Annual Hurricane Season Begins on June 1
May 23rd, 2011REISTERSTOWN, MD (May 19, 2011) – Hurricane season begins June 1, and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to take steps now to prepare for severe summer weather. Preparations for hurricanes will also serve residents well in the case of tornadoes, flooding, severe thunderstorms and other events that could impact the state.
Now is the time to make sure you have properly stocked disaster supply kits, a good family disaster plan and consider purchasing flood insurance. Also consider purchasing a weather
 |
| Richard Muth and WMAR ABC 2News Morning Show host Charley Crowson discuss Hurricane Preparedness Week and have on display several items citizens should consider when making a disaster preparedness kit. |
radio or regularly monitor radio and television news and weather forecasts to be alert to potential severe conditions. Already this spring, Maryland has experienced an unusual number of tornadoes (fortunately none with serious damage) and rain.
“It’s been more than seven years since we experienced major damage from a tropical weather system,” said MEMA Executive Director Richard Muth, referring to the remnants of Hurricane Isabel that struck Maryland in 2003. “Even though you may think we are not likely to get hit with another hurricane in the near future, it’s important to remember that many of the same steps you should take to protect your family from a major event like a hurricane could be helpful for dealing with more common emergencies like flash floods, tornadoes, even things as common as extended power outages.”
National Hurricane Preparedness Week runs from May 22-28, and the National Weather Service just released their 2011 Atlantic Season Hurricane Outlook. For information about National Hurricane Preparedness Week, please visit the National Hurricane Center website athttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/prepared_week.shtml.
For more information about preparedness in Maryland, visit MEMA’s website at http://www.mema.state.md.us. On that page you will find preparedness information for hurricanes and other hazards that can affect Maryland. You also can download a copy of our Maryland Natural Hazards Preparedness Guide. If you do not have internet access or would like to order additional copies of our preparedness guide, please contact Ed McDonough at 410-517-3632.
The web site includes detailed information about putting together a family emergency plan and what to put in a disaster supply kit.
Residents also should consider purchasing flood insurance now in case of summer storms. Homeowners and renters insurance typically does not include flood damage, and claims cannot be filed until 30 days after the premiums are paid. For more information about the National Flood Insurance Program, please visit www.floodsmart.gov.
Drivers also are reminded not to drive through standing or running water on a roadway. As little as 6-12 inches of running water can move a vehicle downstream.
For more information about severe summer weather, please contact Eddie Hopkins at 410-517-3615 or 410-422-7561 or Ed McDonough at 410-517-3632 or 410-446-3333.
New York City Unveils First in the Nation Public Safety System; Enabled Mobile Devices Will Receive Emergency Alerts at Critical Moments with Potentially Life Saving Messages
May 11th, 2011NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, and top executives from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile & Verizon announce PLAN at World Trade Center site in New York City
New York, N.Y. — Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, top executives from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon and others convened at the World Trade Center site to announce PLAN–the Personal Localized Alerting Network. PLAN is a free service that will allow customers with an enabled mobile device to receive geographically-targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area. This service will be available in New York City by the end of 2011, at least two calendar quarters before the rest of the nation.
PLAN ensures that emergency alerts will not get stalled by user congestion, which can happen with standard mobile voice and texting services. Authorized government officials can send messages, which participating wireless providers then push using their cell towers to enabled mobile devices in a targeted geographic area.
“In both the public and private sectors, I’ve always believed in the need to harness technology in new ways, including ways that its designers hadn’t anticipated. The City’s opt-in Notify NYC system is a great example of that: it alerts people to dangers and delays via email and mobile devices, and it has become a national model of emergency communication,” said New York City Michael Bloomberg.
“But given the kinds of threats made against New York City at the World Trade Center, Times Square, and other places popular with visitors and tourists, we’ll be even safer when authorities can broadcast warnings to everyone in a geographic area regardless of where they came from or bought their phone,” Mayor Bloomberg continued. “I want to congratulate FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for this quantum leap forward in using technology to help keep people safe.”
“Following the devastating tornadoes in the Southeast, we are witnessing yet again the critical role the public plays as part of our nation’s emergency management team. Making sure that they get useful and life-saving information, quickly and easily, right on their mobile phones, will help more people get out of harm’s way when a threat exists,” said FEMA Administrator Fugate. “This new technology could become a lifeline for millions of Americans and is another tool that will strengthen our nation’s resilience against all hazards.”
“Communications technology – and in particular mobile broadband – has the potential to revolutionize emergency response,” said FCC Chairman Genachowski. “Our communications networks need to be reliable and resilient in times of emergency. The FCC is working with carriers to ensure that they are.”
When PLAN is operational, customers in an area affected by an emergency who have a PLAN-capable mobile device will receive an alert of ninety characters or less. Consumers will receive three types of alerts from PLAN: (1) alerts issued by the President; (2) alerts involving imminent threats to safety of life; and (3) Amber Alerts. Participating carriers may allow subscribers to block all but Presidential alerts.
In 2006, Congress passed the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) Act, requiring carriers that choose to participate to activate PLAN technology by a deadline determined by the FCC, which is April 2012. Participants that will offer PLAN at least two calendar quarters ahead of schedule in New York City are AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Ninety percent of New York subscribers who have a PLAN-capable mobile device in these cities will be able to receive PLAN alerts by the end of 2011.
For more information on PLAN visit blog.fema.gov/2011/05/plan-another-part-of-publics-emergency.html
Hurricane Hunter visits Maryland
May 11th, 2011MEMA, the National Weather Service and St. Mary’s County Partner to Raise Awareness for Hurricane Preparedness
Reisterstown, Maryland (May 10, 2011) The Maryland Emergency Management 
Agency (MEMA), the National Weather Service and the St. Mary’s (MD) County Office of Emergency Management recently hosted a visit by a Lockheed WP-3D P3 Orion “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft at the Patuxent Naval Air Station in St. Mary’s County. The event, held on May 3rd, was designed to encourage the public to visit, tour the aircraft and speak with the crew about their duties and learn about the tools the NWS uses to monitor, and track hurricanes. Dozens of school children, their teachers, parents, elected officials and 1stResponders all came to view the aircraft nicknamed Kermit after a character in the Muppets. Several speakers, most notably Craig Fugate the Director of FEMA, welcomed the crowd and not only spoke about the technology involved but more importantly that citizens must 
be prepared. Technology will tell us it’s coming, he explained but it doesn’t prevent the storm from occurring and emphasized all citizen must be ready to react and respond.
Richard Muth, Executive Director of MEMA, also strongly encouraged citizens to be prepared. “Hurricanes are a destructive force”, Muth said, adding, “But there effects can be mitigated and injury and death reduced if people prepare before the storm.” The key, he offered, is awareness. “Technology, such as the Hurricane Hunter, can provide us a great deal of information about a pending storm”, Muth said. “But it is up to the citizens to pay attention to that detail and other reliable news and weather sources and take the appropriate actions before
the storm so they are properly prepared when the storm occurs,” he concluded.
The aircraft remained at the base for the day before traveling to their next destination. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service deploys this aircraft to different cities at the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season to encourage family preparedness. The season begins on June 1st and runs through the end of November each year.
For more information about the aircraft log on to www.aoc.noaa.gov. Additional information about hurricanes and hurricane preparedness can be found at www.weather.gov and www.mema.state.md.us. Follow MEMA on TWITTER at www.twitter.com/mema_feeds
Maryland Issues Public Awareness Guidelines for Suspicious Powder Incidents
May 6th, 2011Incidents Occurred in Washington DC but State Officials Want Marylanders to be Prepared
REISTERSTOWN, MARYLAND (May 6, 2011). On Thursday May 5, 2011, Maryland’s law enforcement, emergency management, health and school officials were made aware of a series of letters containing an unknown powder had been delivered to public schools in Washington D.C.
Police are investigating these crimes and to date initial tests have found no toxic substance in the items delivered to the schools and there have been no incidents reported to state officials in Maryland. However, officials recognize that Maryland residents, including those who work in Washington, may have questions and concerns.
“Upon learning of these events yesterday, State law enforcement, emergency management, health and education officials initiated a series of meetings throughout the day and evening reviewing our preparedness and response strategies,” said Richard Muth, Executive Director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. “We believe this is an effort to instill fear and disrupt the daily lives of those who receive these packages,” said the Director, adding that, “Maryland is prepared to respond and we can reduce that fear by raising awareness and informing our citizens to be prepared for how to react should this same scenario occur in their community,” he concluded.
Police say if you receive a suspicious package to stop and not handle it any further. They recommend the following web link and actions:http://www.usps.com/news/2001/press/mailsecurity/security.htm
- Call 911
- Alert others about the package
- Isolate the package and leave the area
Some potential indicators of a suspicious package include but are not limited to:
- Incorrectly addressed
- Excessive tape
- No return address
- Misspelled words
- Restrictive markings
- Rigid or bulky
- Oil stains and/or strange odors.
- Excessive postage
Health officials from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have provided the following guidance to assist Maryland residents:
1. Telephone 911 immediately if you receive a suspicious package or letter.
2. Do not open, smell, or taste.
3. Wash your hands immediately with soap and water
4. No preventive antibiotics are recommended at this time for persons potentially exposed to these letters.
For additional preparedness actions and information go to
http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness or MEMA’s web site atwww.mema.state.md.us. Follow MEMA on TWITTER atwww.twitter.com/MEMA_feeds
Suspicious Powder Informational Documents:
DHMH: White Powder Letters in Washingtion DC (PDF 74.21 kb)
MCAC: Awareness Bulletin (PDF 221.99 kb)
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance on Agribusiness Security
May 4th, 2011ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 3, 2011) – “In light of recent events and the start of a new growing season, this is a good time to remind farmers and agribusinesses of on-farm biosecurity measures and to double check that they are in place. I encourage farmers and agribusinesses to be aware of their surroundings, remain alert and vigilant in implementing routine security measures.
Farmers should maintain biosecurity procedures to protect the health of livestock by taking common sense precautions to prevent the transmission of disease. Agribusinesses, especially those who sell, distribute, transport, store, or apply pesticides, should review their security risks, needs and heighten their critical security control points. Should you experience a breach in security, pesticide or application equipment theft or if suspicious activity occurs, you should report these incidents to your local police department.
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with Maryland Law Enforcement agencies advises that homeland security begins with hometown security where an alert public plays a critical role in keeping our nation safe. If You See Something/Say Something – report any and all suspicious behaviors and situations to local law enforcement. Report Homeland Security threats to the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center at 1-800-492-TIPS.
Police and emergency management officials ask that citizens familiarize themselves with the Department of Homeland Security’s National Terrorism Advisory System, which replaces the former color-coded alert system. Citizens can find information on the new terror alert system at:http://www.mema.state.md.us/MEMA/content_page.jsp?TOPICID=ntas.”