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DHS and FEMA
Updates

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This Citizen Corps News Digest is provided by FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division to highlight community preparedness and resilience resources and activities recently announced by federal agencies and Citizen Corps partners.

DHS -FEMA Updates

Be heard…Email comments or suggestions to us at cert@dhs.gov

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Apply for the 2014 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards Today

The application period for the 2014 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards is now open. Every year we are inspired by the tremendous work being done by so many to prepare their communities for emergencies, or to help their neighbors cope with the effects of a disaster. Our applicants consistently showcase admirable compassion for others, innovative new approaches, and a drive to make a difference in their communities. Download an application , and apply or nominate an individual or organization who inspires you today!

The awards application period is open through May 30, 2014. All applications must feature achievements taking place between January 1, 2013 and May 30, 2014. Please submit your application to citizencorps@fema.dhs.gov . A distinguished panel of representatives from the emergency management community will select winners in each of the following categories:

· Outstanding State Citizen Corps Initiatives

· Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Initiatives

· Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Initiatives

· Community Preparedness Heroes

· Outstanding Youth Preparedness Initiatives

· Awareness to Action

· Survivor Empowerment and Integration

· Technological Innovation

· Preparing the Whole Community

Winners of the 2014 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards will be announced in Fall 2014 and will be FEMA's honored guests at a community preparedness roundtable event. As you prepare your application, don't forget to take a look at previous winners on our website .

We we're looking forward to hearing about the incredible work that individuals and organizations are doing to make their communities safer, stronger, better prepared, and more resilient! Visit the Awards page on our website for more information on how to apply!

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America's PrepareAthon! Webinar en Español

In an effort to continue building resilience, the federal family has developed America's PrepareAthon!, a community-based campaign to increase emergency preparedness at the grassroots level in support of Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-8), National Preparedness.  We are asking your organization to join us to learn how to get involved and spread the word by participating in a webinar for the Hispanic community on April 23, 2014 at 2 p.m. (Eastern), which will be conducted in the Spanish language.  Please find the specific details for accessing this webinar below.

Webinar Details:

Gracie Huerta, Co-Creator of Listos in Santa Barbara, CA, will talk about preparedness events and activities conducted in her community that makes them more resilient and ready for an emergency. Northern California Network Director of Vision y Compromiso Chely Romero will also participate in the webinar talking about the important work Promotores do by reaching the community as a grassroots effort.

We hope that you can join us for the webinar. If you cannot make it to a live offering, each webinar will be recorded and available to view at a later time. 

If you have any other questions , please feel free to contact FEMA's Intergovernmental Affairs Division at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov .

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Be Smart. Know your Spring Hazards

April showers may bring May flowers, but it also introduces severe weather including wildfires , hurricanes , tornadoes and floods . Understanding the hazards that impact your community and learning what actions to take if one strikes, increases your preparedness. Knowing what to do before, during and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

America's PrepareAthon! provides a wealth of information regarding spring and summer weather hazards. For more detailed material, download the How to Prepare hazard-specific guides that provide information on the basics of each hazard, how to protect yourself and your property, and what steps to take now.

Take action on April 30 for the spring America's PrepareAthon!

  • Wildfires – In preparation for evacuation, take 10 minutes to begin creating a family communications plan.
  • Hurricanes – Be informed of deteriorating weather conditions. Sign up for local alerts and warnings and/or download weather apps to your smartphone.
  • Tornadoes – Seek shelter and move to your protective location.
  • Floods – In preparation for evacuation, take 10 minutes to begin securing personal, financial and/or medical documents.

Make a difference in your community! Spread the word about how to prepare for and respond to spring and summer weather hazards with America's PrepareAthon! Visit the new America's PrepareAthon! website for playbooks, step-by-step guides and other resources to help you or your organization start successful preparedness activities to increase resilience in your community.

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Financial Preparedness

More often than not, disasters occur with little or no warning—don't get caught unprepared. Focus on finances during the month of April as part of Financial Literacy Month. Use this time to get your financial house in order so you're better prepared when a disaster happens.

Operation Hope offers two free resources to help you detail out your financial information and document key information before a disaster hits. Resources include the Personal Disaster Preparedness Guide (PDPG) and its companion piece the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK).

  • PDPG – gives you steps you can take before a disaster strikes such as listing your personal assets and listing out your disaster recovery budget.
  • EFFAK – offers easy step-by-step instructions for how to protect personal assets and financial information, and reduce the challenges associated with emergencies and disasters.

Download and start filling out the information found in both of resources today!

Don't forget if you're looking for preparedness resources that don't break the bank, you can visit the America's PrepareAthon! website at www.ready.gov/prepare for hazard-specific and sector-specific preparedness resources.

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Dates for Your Calendar!


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Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events, entities, organizations, services or products. Please let us know about other events and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included in future newsletters by contacting: citizencorps@dhs.gov

About FEMA

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.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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