Fairfax County Social Needs Registry
To help those with special needs prepare for emergencies, Fairfax County has created the Fairfax County Social Needs Registry. The registry has two categories:

• Medical Needs Registry
  Individuals with medical needs are those who (a) have a high-risk health condition that is either temporary or chronic and who cannot manage for themselves in a shelter or evacuation center; (b) will require assistance in performing the activities of daily living; and/or (c) will require care for and monitoring of a health condition. The names and addresses of those with medical needs will be used by Fairfax County officials for communicating with people with medical needs, pre-event emergency planning, and for evacuating and sheltering during actual emergencies.
  
  The registry may be used for any emergency requiring evacuation, such as flooding, hurricanes or hazardous material spills and gas leaks. This information will be available to emergency planners and will facilitate the county's planning, response and recovery efforts.
• Social Needs Registry
  Fairfax County seeks to partner with community organizations that have an on-going relationship with social needs residents. Those with social needs are vulnerable, at-risk or hard to reach in the event of an emergency, but who do not meet the definition of medical needs. This includes people with disabilities, limited language proficiency, public transportation dependent or household pets. These people may require targeted communication, transportation support or sheltering in the event of an emergency.
  
  Fairfax County will provide emergency planning, response and recovery information to community organizations that register with the social needs registry. Registered organizations are encouraged to then relay this information to their organization's members.

Registration is available online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/specialneeds or by phone at (703) 324-9000 or TTY (703) 324-9001.

“Volunteer first responders shouldn’t be put in the position of having to choose between their jobs and responding to a major disaster,” said National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Executive Director Heather Schafer. “Passage of this bill eliminates the threat of termination or demotion.”

The legislation also reduces pressure on emergency managers who rely heavily on the availability and performance of the more than 800,000 volunteer first responders around the country. Pre-emergency planners must know what assets they have available to them so the deployment process can move as smoothly and quickly as possible.

The Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Personnel Job Protection Act was introduced as H.R. 1643 on March 22 by Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ) along with original co-sponsors Michael Castle (R-DE), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ). The bill language was then offered as an amendment to H.R. 1684 by Congressmen Andrews and Pascrell, along with Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH).

“I’d like to thank all of our supporters in the House of Representatives for working with us to get this legislation passed,” said Schafer. “This bill means peace of mind for volunteer first responders and improves our nation’s emergency response capacity.”

The legislation only applies to emergency responders acting in an official capacity. “Self-responders” would not be eligible for job protection under this bill, and employers have the right to ask for documentation from the official supervising the response to verify that the employee was involved in an official capacity.

H.R. 1684 now goes to the Senate. The NVFC will continue to work to with our allies on the Hill and with other fire service organizations to ensure passage of the Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Job Protection Act in the Senate so that it can be sent to the President and signed into law.

“Volunteer firefighters save municipal, county, and state government taxpayers approximately $37.2 billion every year,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “In order to retain and recruit volunteers, many local and state governments across the country provide them with modest benefits. When the federal government taxes these benefits, it diminishes and in some cases eliminates the incentive they were designed to create.”

There are a wide range of benefits that can be provided to volunteers, including pay-per-call, reimbursement for expenses, tax breaks, and pension-like plans called length of service awards. Many communities provide non-financial benefits like health club memberships or awards banquets that technically are taxable. The purpose of these benefits is to reward volunteer responders for their service, and also to give them an incentive to be a member of their local volunteer fire/EMS department.

On February 12, Congressman Larson held a roundtable discussion in Hartford, CT, at the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department. Among the participants were Scott Potter, the NVFC’s Alternate Director from Connecticut, Ed Holohan, a benefits specialist who works with the NVFC, and Dave Finger, the NVFC’s Director of Government Relations.

“I’d like to thank Congressman Larson for introducing this important piece of legislation,” said Finger. “This isn’t just an important issue here in Connecticut but in communities all over the country that have widely varying approaches to providing incentives. H.R. 943 will provide immediate tax relief to hundreds of thousands of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel, as well as create a tax climate that doesn’t discourage communities from providing their volunteers incentives.”

H.R. 943 was introduced with 57 original cosponsors, including 10 on the House Ways and Means Committee which has jurisdiction over the bill. In November, the National Advisory Committee of the Congressional Fire Services Institute adopted without objection a resolution introduced by the NVFC and other fire service organizations supporting the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act.

“Gaps in the tax code make taxation of volunteer benefits extremely complicated,” said Holohan, an actuary who works with the NVFC on benefits issues. “Sometimes the sheer amount of paperwork involved in complying with the code makes providing benefits more trouble than it is worth. If H.R. 943 passes, not only will volunteers get to keep their benefits entirely, but more communities will see providing incentives as a viable option.”

Congressman Larson first introduced the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act in the 109th Congress, after the IRS ruled that a $500 municipal property tax credit for volunteer firefighters in South Windsor, CT, was taxable income. He has made passing H.R. 943 into law his top priority for the 110th Congress. He also announced that Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) will soon introduce companion legislation in the Senate identical to the House bill.

“Here in Connecticut, where so many towns and cities provide property tax relief for volunteer first responders, the impact of H.R. 943 will be enormous,” said Potter. “When high property taxes force people to leave a community it is unfortunate, but when volunteer fire and EMS personnel leave – and take their community service with them – it imperils public safety. Municipalities should be able to use these tax breaks as incentives without the federal government interfering.”

H.R. 943 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. The NVFC urges you to contact your Representative in Congress and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 943.

Source: National Volunteer Fire Council

Richmond, Va. - The severe winter weather forecast to arrive in the Commonwealth late Monday holds the possibility of icy roads, downed power lines and snow drifts, especially in northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Virginians need to prepare now by collecting emergency supplies, making a communication plan and listening for local information.

• An emergency supply kit includes, among other things, essential items to last at least three days, such as a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, food and water, flashlights, a first aid kit, blankets and medications.
• Making a communication plan involves discussing the hazards and threats for your area and what your family would do during an actual emergency. As you create your plan, decide on a meeting place if your family cannot return home, designate an out-of-town friend or relative as a point-of-contact and plan for the specific needs of your household, such as an evacuation shelter for pets or transportation for medical equipment.
• Before, during and after a disaster, it is critical that you listen for the most local, up-to-date information from emergency officials. Local media will convey instructions from local, state and federal government partners, such as details about evacuation orders, how to safely stay where you are and when the emergency has passed.

Portable generators and kerosene heaters can pose serious health hazards if used improperly. Follow these guidelines to stay safe and warm:

• To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, operate generators outdoors only in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from home air intakes, and protected from direct exposure to rain.
• Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages.
• Keep heaters at least three feet away from furniture, blankets and other flammable objects. Never set the heater on a chair or table. It should sit only on an uncarpeted floor.
• Never substitute one type of fuel for another.
• Keep an eye on your heater at all times while it is running. Shut it off before you go to bed or when you leave the house. Never run a portable heater longer than the manufacturer recommends.
• Wait for the heater to cool before refueling it. Kerosene has a low flash point and might cause a fire if it comes into contact with a hot surface.

Additional winter tips:

• If your water supply comes from a well with an electric water pump, fill containers with water for drinking and cooking.
• Install a smoke detector in every bedroom and one on every level of your home. Check the batteries monthly and replace them annually.
• Make sure that outdoor pets have adequate shelter, unfrozen water and food.
• Driving is most dangerous when the temperature is at or under 32° F. If the road is wet, ice is likely, especially on bridges, ramps and overpasses. Find current road conditions by calling 511 or visiting www.VirginiaDOT.org.
• Even when roads have been treated with salt and/or sand, drivers should reduce their speed and leave a safe driving distance between themselves and other vehicles on the road.

For more essential winter safety information, visit the ReadyWinter section of VDEM's Web site, www.vaemergency.com.

GLEN ALLEN, Va. — If you own property that was damaged during Tropical Depression Ernesto, and the property is located in an area considered low- to moderate-risk for flooding, signing up for a Preferred Risk Policy flood insurance policy under the National Flood Insurance Program is the thing to do now.

The PRP offers the same coverage as a standard flood insurance policy but has lower premiums.

Officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the PRP, say residents and business owners should be made aware that a structure's flood loss history is considered in deciding who is eligible for the policy. If any of the following conditions exist, a PRP cannot be written:

• Two flood loss payments of more than $1000 each;
• Three or more loss payments of any amount;
• Two Federal Disaster Relief payments of more than $1,000 each;
• Three Federal Disaster Relief payments of any amount; or
• One flood insurance claim payment and one disaster relief payment of more than $1000 each (including loans and grants).

Homeowners can purchase a minimum of $20,000 building and $8,000 contents coverage for just $112 a year ($25 more if there is a basement). Renters pay as little as $39 a year for $8,000 contents coverage. For only $500 a year business owners can buy $50,000 building and $50,000 contents coverage per building. Business owners who lease space can purchase $50,000 contents coverage for $112 per year.

"We encourage property owners to protect themselves from unexpected flood losses," said Gracia Szczech, FEMA's federal coordinating officer for recovery operations in Virginia. "The NFIP was established for the purpose of bringing flood insurance rates within reach of the average home or business owner."

Floods cause more property damage than any other natural disaster; and when flooding occurs, there is no guarantee that a federal disaster declaration will be requested or that the property owner will be eligible for assistance. Disaster relief is often in the form of a low-interest loan that has to be repaid, and you may be required to buy a flood insurance policy.

Considering the substantial costs involved in repairing a flood damaged home or business, and the loss of treasured items or business income, your best financial protection is a NFIP policy. The Preferred Risk Policy with its reasonable premiums should be seriously considered before another threat of heavy rains. For more information, call the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-888-CALL-FLOOD, ext. 304, or ask your insurance agent about PRP.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities; works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

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"The impact on the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was considerable," said FOVFR member, Blair Miller. He said he’d never forget how members of the company stepped up during a time of national crisis. "Their professionalism and dedication was amazing to witness."

The following are some of the ways FOVFR members responded when the Pentagon was attacked:

• Jeff Wooden was in the Pentagon that day and used his EMT skills to help evacuate the building.
• Dominic Depaolis was in the first wave of responders. He was on duty at the Ronald Reagan National Airport as a Safety Officer. He was at the Pentagon scene in less than 10 minutes. He worked the incident for 18 hours before being relieved.
• Paul Bertovich and Steve Willey were at the Pentagon that day as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency team. They remained on site for several days.
• Blair Miller and George McMahon were called up along with their cadaver search dogs, Thor and Smokey (respectively), two days after the incident. Pulling 12-hour shifts, Blair and George worked with the dogs to find the remains of those killed. They were later featured in the book "Dog Heroes of September 11th."
• Jennifer Coulter and Mark Servello ferried supplies to the scene Sept. 12.

Both Mr. Miller and Mr. Wood recollected that everyone wanted to do everything they could to help the situation.

"On September 11, 2001, 341 FDNY firefighters were killed, from Fire Chiefs of the department to probationary firefighters with less than a month on the job," said Mr. Miller. "It is a sobering reminder of just how vulnerable each of us in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is to the dangerous job we undertake. It doesn’t matter whether you are a career or volunteer [firefighter]; we all have great respect for the ultimate sacrifice these courageous firefighters made that day."

August 16, 2006

Federal funds available to state and local governments
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted Public Assistance to Galax, Mecklenburg and Rappahannock counties, making them eligible to recoup costs resulting from severe storms in June and July. FEMA previously granted Public Assistance to the state and 13 other localities: the counties of Alleghany, Arlington, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Dickenson, Fairfax, Floyd, Highland, Henry, King George and Rockbridge, and the city of Alexandria. The declaration makes Public Assistance funds available to cover eligible government and certain private non-profit costs for damage to critical infrastructure, debris removal and related emergency services.

FEMA denied Gov. Timothy Kaine's appeal of its decision to deny Individual Assistance to citizens and businesses in the counties of Alleghany, Arlington, Augusta, Botetourt, Fairfax and Montgomery and the cities of Alexandria and Salem.

The governor has requested the Small Business Administration to authorize low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses in Fairfax County and the city of Alexandria. If SBA loans become available in these two localities, then individuals in adjacent localities automatically become eligible to apply for loans.

Flood recovery safety tips and situation reports are available on VDEM's Web site. Information about individual and public assistance are available online from FEMA.

2006 hurricane forecast reduces number of storms
In the August update of its 2006 hurricane forecast, the Tropical Meteorology Project staff at Colorado State University reduced the number of potential named storms from 17 to 15. The number of hurricanes also dropped, from nine to seven, as well as the number of intense hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5), from five to three. However, the project maintains the prediction of a season with above-average activity.

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration also calls for above-average activity in its updated forecast and lowered the potential number of storms.

Although both organizations call for activity above the 100-year average, they also predict that the season will not be as active as the 2005 hurricane season, when hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.

Citizens should prepare for tropical storms, regardless of intensity. See VDEM's hurricane preparedness information to learn how to get a kit and make a plan.

Pet legislation passes Senate
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed its version of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2005, or the PETS Act. The legislation requires local and state emergency preparedness authorities to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate household pets and service animals in case of a disaster. Local and state authorities must submit these plans in order to qualify for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a similar bill in May. The bill will not go to the president for signature until the House and Senate agree on a compromise between the two versions. The Senate version:

• Grants FEMA the authority to assist in developing these plans.
• Authorizes financial help to states to create emergency shelters for people with their animals.
• Allows for the provision of essential assistance for individuals with household pets and service animals, and the animals themselves, following a major disaster.

Community shielding concept and research
The community shielding concept proposes that those living or working in a community attacked with a dirty bomb or a biological agent should stay where they are, while communities in the surrounding areas deploy to bring supplies to the affected area. This would relieve first responders to offer services to those with special needs, alleviate evacuation congestion and keep people where they are most comfortable. In order to assess citizens' ability and willingness to comply with such a concept, the Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia conducted a poll of 1,071 households in the National Capital Region. In addition to further research and public education efforts, recommendations and findings include:

• Although most residents are willing to comply with a "shelter-in-place" order, many do not have the resources to do so. Many don't have enough supplies stored in their homes or offices. Localities should plan to bring food, water, medications and other supplies directly to residents' homes or businesses to increase cooperation.
• Information about the crisis and communication with loved ones is a priority during any shelter-in-place order. Residents need to know that loved ones are being cared for if families are separated, and many would "face danger" to be with family and friends.

USFA offers Flood Prep
"Flood Prep" is now available online from the U.S. Fire Administration. The hour-long streaming video covers essential information about food safety, mold prevention, generator use, sandbagging, evacuation tips, flash food awareness, creating an emergency supply kit and creating a flood-resistant home. The webcast uses a collection of training videos and public service announcements to teach citizens to be flood-safe in a variety of situations.

Pet-friendly disaster training
The Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will host Disaster Animal Rescue Team training, created by the Humane Society of the United States. DART members assist animal care and emergency services professionals in rescuing animals that have been affected by disasters. Preliminary self-study courses are available online from HSUS. Registration, attendance Sept. 13-15 and a $40 fee are required.

As some statistics clearly show, while many residents have and maintain their homeowner's insurance policy, many neglect to buy flood insurance coverage.

• Most Virginia residents are not covered by flood insurance. Even though there are nearly 2.7 million households in Virginia (2000 US Census), there are less than 92,000 flood insurance policies in effect throughout the state (data as of 5/31/2006).
• If you live in a highest-risk area (special flood hazard area), you need to be covered by flood insurance. Fifty-two percent of households in the highest-risk areas of the state are financially protected with flood coverage. However, more than 16,000 homeowners lack this vital protection against the devastating effects of flooding.
• You don't have to live in a highest-risk area to be at risk for floods. Floods can happen anywhere, at anytime. Approximately 25 percent of all flood claims come from areas that are not designated as special flood hazard areas, yet only 4.3 percent of Virginia households in areas considered to be low-to moderate-risk areas have flood insurance protection.
• Land use, development and other factors do cause changes in flood risk over time. Even current flood hazard maps would not show the risk of catastrophic events such as hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
• Flooding is not covered by homeowners insurance. Even if you are living outside the high-risk area, and thus are not required by law to purchase flood insurance, you are still at risk for flooding, and should consider flood insurance.

"Even if you have a flood policy, make sure that it is kept current to reflect the changing needs of your structure and content," Federal Coordinating Officer, Gracia Szczech pointed out. "Do not wait until after a flood event to discover that you are underinsured. Take action now to protect your family's and business' investments." Policies are available to residential and business property owners for structures and contents, and to renters for content.

"Let's remember that when you prepare for a hurricane, you should also prepare for flooding," State Coordinating Officer, Michael Cline added, "Tropical storms and other severe rain events can flood homes as well as a hurricane can. Assess your need for flood insurance, even if it is not required by law or your mortgage company."

About 200 private insurance companies nationally offer affordable National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance backed by the federal government. Furthermore, flood policies are paid even if there are no federal disaster declarations in effect for those floods.

If you don't have flood insurance, talk with your insurance agent. There are low-cost Preferred Risk policies for people in low- to moderate-risk flood areas. State residents and others can visit FloodSmart.gov or call the National Flood Insurance Program call center, at 1-800-427-2419 to learn about flood coverage limits and the 30-day waiting period; to obtain a list of participating agents in their area; learn how to prepare for floods; how to purchase a National Flood Insurance Policy; and the benefits of protecting homes and property against flooding.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities; works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.