2011 Colorado EM Conference - Kick-Off Info/Flyer

Getting close... the Eastern Colorado Incident Management Team who is assisting with hosting the 2011 Colorado Emergency Management Conference has already generated the Conference Day 1 Flyer, which contains a map of the outdoor activities planned for the morning.  With nearly 300 attendees this year, events kick off at 7:30 am in the Landing Zone outside the hotel where there will be a demonstration from Rotors of the Rockies helicopter landing.  Outside, too, will be vendor areas, mobile command center/trailers, and shelter tents.  Following the morning landing and registration activities, the welcome and opening comments for the conference will start at 10:00 am.

The Welcome and Opening Comments Master of Ceremonies this year is Mike Gavin, City of Fort Collins Emergency Manager.  The Opening Ceremony will include a presentation by the Loveland Fire and Rescue Honor Guard, singing of the National Anthem and a opening comments from both the Director of Colorado's Division of Emergency Management, Hans Kallam, and the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Region VIII, Robin Finegan.  The Keynote Address for the conference will be provided by the Chief Executive of Witt Associates and former FEMA Director, James Lee Witt.

Following the morning ceremonies, the conference will proceed to the first Breakout Sessions.  To view the overviews of the breakout sessions and speakers, see the 2011 Colorado Emergency Management Conference Program.

We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

2011 Colorado EM Conference - Info Sources

While the 2011 Colorado Emergency Management Conference doesn't kick off until Tuesday (March 1, 2011), we wanted to provide an advance list of the info sources you can use to follow Conference activities, view/download presentation materials, photos and links.  The primary "hub" for Conference information will be the COEmergency site at http://coemergency.com (note - the site has been configured to be mobile friendly if you are checking it on the go!).  In addition to checking the COEmergency site, there are a variety of options this year to keep up with activities:

COEmergency - Colorado Division of Emergency Management
COEmergency Main Site - http://coemergency.com
COEmergency Facebook - http://facebook.com/coemergency
COEmergency Twitter (@coemergency) - http://twitter.com/coemergency
-- conference posts will be using #coem - if you are posting about the conference, too, include the tag!
COEmergency Update - Colorado Em Mgmt email service (distro each morning, between 5-7 am)
-- posts to include coverage of the conference, as well as, notices re: agenda/conference news, presentations and handout links
-- register your email at http://coemergency.com, right side of page, under "COEmergency Update"
Colorado DEM Headlines - news/headlines email service (each morning, between 5-7 am)
-- hand-selected links to emergency management-related articles from across Colorado
-- register your email at http://coemergency.com, right side of page, under "CO - Daily Headlines"
SMS/Text Updates - on your mobile device, text "follow coemergency" to 40404

Colorado Emergency Management Association (CEMA)
CEMA - Main Site - http://www.cemacolorado.com/

Eastern Colorado Incident Management Team (ECIMT)
ECIMT- Main Site - http://ecimt.info
ECIMT Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eastern-Colorado-IMT/103110586401945
ECIMT Twitter (@ecimt) - http://twitter.com/ecimt

Colorado Volunteer Workers Protection Process - Reg and Info

Leave & Job Protection for Volunteer Emergency Management, Emergency Services & Disaster Workers

On April 24, 2008, then Governor Bill Ritter signed House Bill 08-1097 - Colorado Revised Statutes §24-32-2202 et seq. into law. The bill provides leave and job protection for volunteer emergency management, emergency services, and disaster workers under certain circumstances.

The bill went into effect August 6, 2008. With the enactment of that law, Civil Air Patrol and other volunteer emergency workers working for qualified volunteer organizations, who are requested to respond to a disaster emergency, will be entitled to take leave for up to 15 working days each year. Private sector employees are  entitled to unpaid leave and government workers will be entitled to paid leave. All are protected against loss of job, seniority, retirement benefits, rank, etc., while on such leave.

In order to be qualified, volunteer organizations must be certified to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Emergency Management by a sheriff, local government, state agency, or by a local emergency planning committee (LEPC). The link to the certification request form may be found below. The certification attests that the organization and the sheriff or director of a local government, state agency, or LEPC have developed and signed a memorandum of understanding covering use of the organization and its volunteers during disaster emergencies.

Once the organization is listed, a volunteer member will be protected when he or she performs satisfactorily in a disaster emergency at the request of a sheriff, local or state agency, or LEPC and provides a certification of that from his or her own organization of the employing government.

Although they may be eligible under this law as well, volunteer firefighters are provided job protection for fire calls under another statute. Red Cross volunteers eligible for disaster leave as state employees will be provided with a maximum total of 15 working days leave under this law and the Red Cross leave provisions.

No employer will be required to grant leave to more than 20% of his employees at any one time, and employees deemed essential to the employer’s operations and income or disaster services may likewise be denied leave.

The bill also removes some limitations on sovereign immunity protections to governments and volunteers within the Disaster Emergency Act.

If you have questions regarding this bill or the required procedures, call the Department of Local Affairs, Division of Emergency Management at 720-852-6600 and, specifically, David Holm in the Division of Emergency Management.  David can also be reached via email at david.holm@state.co.us.

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House Bill 08-1097 - Colorado Revised Statutes §24-32-2202 et seq.

Application For Enrollment on the Qualified Volunteer Organization List

Certification of Volunteer Service in a Disaster Emergency

Qualified Volunteer Organization List

2011 Colorado EM Conference Program

For those of you already trying to decide on which presentations to attend, see who is speaking and access speaker bios, we have finalized and posted the 2011 Colorado Emergency Management Program.

2011 Colorado EM Conference - Keynote Speaker - James Lee Witt

The Keynote Speaker for the 2011 Colorado Emergency Management Conference is James Lee Witt.  Mr. Witt is currently Chief Executive Officer of Witt Associates, a public safety and crisis management consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Witt Associates provides disaster recovery and mitigation management services to state and local governments, educational institutions, the international community and corporations.

Mr. Witt currently is a special advisor to the State of Louisiana, assisting with the nation's largest long term recovery effort in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In 2003-2006, Mr. Witt served as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Code Council (ICC), a 50,000 member association dedicated to building safety, and develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. The majority of U.S. cities, counties, and states that adopt codes, choose building and fire safety codes developed by the ICC.

James Lee Witt has over 30 years of disaster management experience, culminating in his appointment as the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he served from 1993-2001. In this capacity, he is credited with turning FEMA from an unsuccessful bureaucratic agency to an internationally lauded all-hazards disaster management agency. His leadership abilities have been praised by nationally recognized organizations, including the Council for Excellence in Government, Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, and the National Association of Broadcasters.

Mr. Witt was appointed by President Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in April 1993. In February 1996, President Clinton elevated Mr. Witt to cabinet status, a first for a FEMA Director. As FEMA Director, Mr. Witt coordinated federal disaster relief on behalf of President Clinton, including the response and recovery activities of 28 federal agencies and departments, the American Red Cross, and other voluntary agencies. He also oversaw the National Flood Insurance Program, the U.S. Fire Administration, and other pro-active mitigation activities that reduce loss of life and property from all types of hazards. Mr. Witt directed 2,500 employees located in Washington, DC and 10 regional offices.

From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Witt oversaw more than 350 disasters. More importantly, he was responsible for response and recovery operations for some of the most devastating disasters of all time, including the most costly flood disaster in the nation's history, the most costly earthquake, and a dozen damaging hurricanes.

As Director of FEMA, Mr. Witt was the visionary and architect of national government programs related to emergency preparedness and mitigation, response, recovery. In addition to his experience in emergency management on the State and local level, Mr. Witt has expertise integrating community-based disaster management with national emergency management strategy. He initiated Project Impact, the innovative disaster prevention program implemented in over 240 communities to make communities at the local level disaster resistant.

Mr. Witt integrated flood mitigation, control, and protection into FEMA's policy. After the devastating Midwest floods of 1993, Mr. Witt pursued an aggressive flood prone property acquisition and relocation program. By purchasing properties that were repeatedly flooded, he saved taxpayers millions of dollars when floods again ravaged the same Midwest area again in 1995.

Mr. Witt's professional career includes the formation of Witt Construction, a commercial and residential construction company. After 12 years as a successful businessman and community leader, he was elected County Judge for Yell County, serving as the chief elected official for the county, with judicial responsibilities for county and juvenile court. At age 34, he was the youngest elected county judge in Arkansas, and was later honored for his accomplishments by the National Association of Counties. After being re-elected six times to the position, Mr. Witt was tapped by then-Governor Bill Clinton to assume leadership of the Arkansas Office of Emergency Services (OES). He served as the Director of the Arkansas OES for four years.

Mr. Witt and his wife, Lea Ellen reside in Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C., and Dardanelle, Arkansas.

Final EM Conference Prep Underway

Bags being stuffed, tons of last minute tweaks and the general flurry of activity that accompanies any final large conference planning efforts are underway today around the Division's offices here in Centennial. Some cool stuff making it's way into the Conference materials, including handouts such as a Quick Reference Guide for emergency managers for response and recovery resources from The Colorado Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (COVOAD) - http://www.coloradovoad.org.

The conference, including on the scene reports of presentations, handouts and briefing materials will be posted here on the COEmergency site during and after activities from Mar 1-3, 2011.

For more info, check out the Conference agenda at http://www.coemergency.com/2011/01/2011-colorado-emergency-management.html

State Demography Office - 2010 Colorado Census Data

Understanding emergency management means not only understanding threats, but also potentially affected populations.  Our primary source of understanding population trends and demographies comes from our Colorado Department of Local Affairs partners in the State Demography Office.  This week, the Demography Office published all its Census 2010 counts and comparisons to previous census reports for Colorado counties and municipalities on its website at http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/demog/2010censusdata.html.  You can also contact the Demography Office at (303) 866-3190 or at (303) 866-3096 with any questions.

Job Announcement(s) - South/Southeast Region Field Manager and State EOC Systems Administrator

Reminder from the HR - The Division is currently looking to hire two, full-time positions:

South/Southeast Emergency Management Region Field Manager - As an Emergency Management Field Manager, this position coordinates with and provides emergency management technical assistance to local government emergency management organizations in South and Southeast Colorado prior to, during and following a major emergency or natural disaster.  The emphasis is on preparedness actions to improve local and state response and recovery to all-hazards emergencies.  For more info on the duties and position, go to http://www.gssa.state.co.us/announce/job%20announcements.nsf/5a50e7ae62411f9e872564db004c6ce2/7d181d42255f75d68725780d007f364b?OpenDocument

State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Systems Administrator - This position as the State Emergency Operations Center Systems Administrator will maintain readiness of emergency response systems in the State's primary and alternate Emergency Operations Centers (EOC).  The primary function of this position will be to ensure the functionality of EOC operational resources including web-based EOC applications, internet based portals, audio-visual equipment, telecommunications devices, TV and situational displays, and radio communications systems necessary to support the state's emergency response operations, and to provide high level direct support to State EOC personnel and staff during state disaster emergencies and emergency response training and exercises.  For more info on the duties and position, go to http://www.gssa.state.co.us/announce/job%20announcements.nsf/5a50e7ae62411f9e872564db004c6ce2/44b0a1c1915841d3872578370063f697?OpenDocument

Shared Strategies for Homeland Security - Presentation Downloads and Article Links

If you were not able to attend the Shared Strategies for Homeland Security Conference, the hosts have posted presentations provided during the conference for your review and download.  There is some amazing insights available across a wide range of subject including social media and disasters, medical health preparedness, the nexus of terrorism and first response capabilities and much, much more.  Check it out at http://www.sharedstrategiesblog.com

DRAFT Emergency Responder Field Operations Guide Open for Comment

Just got a head's up from our Training Officer, Robyn Knappe - robyn.knappe@state.co.us - that FEMA's updated, DRAFT version of the Emergency Responder Field Operating Guide (ERFOG) is now posted at http://regulations.gov for a 30 day comment period.  You can directly access the document and the comment form here.

Course Announcement - Floodplain Management Planning Workshop - 3/7 and 3/9

The Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (CASFM) will be presenting a one day workshop on CRS Activity 510 – Floodplain Management Planning.  The CRS program recognizes that communities with comprehensive floodplain or hazard mitigation plans address their floodplain problems more effectively. The objective of floodplain management or hazard mitigation planning is to provide a program of activities that will best tackle the communities’ vulnerability to the hazard(s) and meet other community needs. In addition, FEMA requires a multi-hazard mitigation plan as a prerequisite for a project grant from Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs (HMGP). It is the objective of this workshop to provide guidance on plan preparation that is most effective in receiving CRS points through an experienced reviewer and through the State’s perspective.  

Who should Attend?
  • Local floodplain administrators responsible for administering the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP),
  • Emergency Managers
  • Regional Planners
  • CRS coordinators who want to learn more about the CRS program
  • Consulting engineers that assist local communities with stormwater or floodplain management issues.  
  • Local government officials interested in how your community can plan for hazards
  • Anyone inside or outside Colorado who is interested in the CRS
Please note that you need not be a CASFM member to attend.

Workshop Dates and Locations
Dates - Monday March 7th, Southwest Weld Service Center, 4209 Weld County Road 24.5, Longmont, CO 80504          
Dates - Wednesday, March 9th, Fire Station #8 Community Room, 3737 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO  80907

Registration Information
Please register on the CASFM website:   www.casfm.org

If you plan to attend, make sure to register no later than Friday, February 25, 2011.
Attendance is limited to 45 pp venue.

Workshop
  • The cost of the workshop is $10 and will include refreshments.
  • Fees will be collected at the door starting at 8:00 am. Receipts will be available upon request.
  • Workshop will begin at 8:30 am
  • Lunch is on your own
Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) core continuing education credits will be offered.

Presenters at the workshop include the following 
  • Sherry  Harper – ISO Technical Review Specialist
  • Marilyn Gally  – Colorado Division of Emergency Management
Topics to be presented include
  • CRS Basics: Goals, Activities, Colorado Statistics
  • CRS Activity 510: Overview
  • Floodplain Management Planning
  • Repetitive Loss Area Analysis
  • Role of CDEM (Colorado Department of Emergency Management) in the mitigation planning process
  • Why the planning process should include both Floodplain Managers and Emergency Management
  • Plan approval roles from CDEM, FEMA and ISO 
  • Plan updates and maintenance
  • Comparison of regional and individual community plans
  • Comparison of hazard mitigation plans prepared for grant applications and plans prepared for CRS credit

Course Announcement - FEMA Webinar: Earthquake Safety and Mitigation for Schools - 2/17 and 3/17

The Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are hosting a one-hour webinar for school officials, teachers, facility managers, and other local stakeholders interested in learning how to reduce earthquake risks and take actions to ensure school safety and continued operations.

Given the infrequency of earthquakes in Colorado when compared with other parts of the world, it is easy to forget that Colorado has a history of earthquakes and they can and will happen again.  The Rockies may look peaceful and serene, but they are the jutting, real by-products of ground movement and plate tectonics!

The webinar information is based on Incremental Seismic Rehabilitation of School Buildings (K-12): Providing Protection to People and Buildings, FEMA 395.

General Information
Numerous school buildings located in multiple States and U.S. territories are vulnerable to earthquake losses and damage. This includes potential:
  • Death and injury of students, teachers, and staff 
  • Damage to or collapse of buildings 
  • Damage and loss of furnishings, equipment, and building contents 
  • Disruption of educational programs and school operations 
  • Inability of the community to use schools as temporary shelters 
At this webinar, you will learn the following:
  • How to assess and analyze your earthquake risks 
  • How to develop an actionable plan to reduce and manage earthquake risks 
  • How to initiate an earthquake risk reduction plan for existing school buildings that were not designed and constructed to meet modern building codes 
  • How to secure “non-structural” elements of the school facility 
  • How to apply “incremental seismic rehabilitation” to protect buildings and ensure occupant safety 
  • Why “incremental seismic rehabilitation” is an affordable alternative for school safety 
  • When 
Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 3:00 pm EST
Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 3:00 pm EST

Where
Online webinar via FEMA Adobe Connect and Conference Line. Information will be shared upon successful registration. Registration is free! For more info and to register, please send your preferred date to participate, name, organization, address, phone number, and email address by fax to 650-593-2320, by email to atc@atcouncil.org, or by visiting http://www.atcouncil.org/events.html.

Disaster Management Institute - Call for Speakers - Aurora, CO

If you, or someone you know in the field(s) of emergency management/homeland security, is interested in speaking on a particular subject to the Intro to Emergency Management or Intro to Homeland Security classes with the Disaster Management Institute at the Community College of Aurora, Clinton Andersen, Director of the Disaster Management Institute is looking for speakers.

While a guest speakership is not paid, it is a great opportunity to get together with students (and future colleagues!) of the field to provide your insight, knowledge, and expertise on emergency management/homeland security issues.   If you are interested in speaking on any of the topics below, get in touch with Clinton at clinton.andersen@ccaurora.edu or at (303) 340-7068.

February 16 - Terrorist –Related Hazards
February 18 - The Disciplines of Emergency Management: Preparedness
February 23 - Safety and Security
February 25 - The Disciplines of Emergency Management: Communications
March 2 - Mitigation, Prevention, and Preparedness
March 4 - The Disciplines of Emergency Management: Response
March 9 - Response and Recovery
March 11 - The Disciplines of Emergency Management: Recovery
March 16 - Communications
March 18 - International Disaster Management
March 23 - Technology
March 25 - Emergency Management and the Terrorist Threat
April 13 - The Future of Homeland Security
April 15 - The Future of Emergency Management

Classes are listed chronologically, but cover both the emergency management and homeland security courses.  Each class is held from 6:00 pm - 8:40 pm on the days listed.  Clinton also notes that, if you are interested in covering a specific topic but can't make the listed date/time above or the topic isn't listed, the schedule is flexible so that topic can be worked to fit your schedule/interest.

Course Announcement - FEMA E/L548 - Continuity Managers Train the Trainer - 2/22-24 - Ft Collins, CO

The Continuity Manager’s Train-the-Trainer Course (B/E/L-548) reflects the new requirements of National Security Presidential Directive-51/Homeland Security Presidential Directive-20, the National Continuity Policy Implementation Plan, Federal Continuity Directives 1 and 2, and Continuity Guidance Circular 1.

The objectives of this 2.5 day train-the-trainer course include defining continuity of operations, explaining the benefits of a viable continuity plan and program, identifying elements of a viable continuity program, identifying processes, resources, and tasks necessary for implementing and managing a successful continuity program. The course is intended for continuity program managers of both Federal and non-Federal organizations.

February 22-24, 2011
8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Tues/Weds)
8:00 am - 2:45 pm (Thurs)

2150 Centre Avenue
Bldg D Platte Conference Room
Fort Collins CO 80526

Tuition: No  Charge
REGISTER ONLINE at the Colorado Federal Executive Board, Emergency Preparedness web site:    
http://www.colorado.feb.gov/index.php?content=15&page=Emergency%20Preparedness  

Contact:  Roger Jones  303 969 5202    Roger_L_Jones@nbc.gov

Job Announcement - Emergency Management Specialist, University of Colorado - Boulder

The Emergency Management Division is responsible for the development, promulgation, implementation, training, coordination and oversight of emergency management plans and programs for the University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder).  The Division is also responsible for the coordination and development of Business Continuity Plans for the campus.  The division is responsible for developing and maintaining effective relationships with local, state and federal emergency management and planning elements, e.g., the Boulder County Office of Emergency Management, the Colorado Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Region VIII Office; in support of effective emergency management planning and preparation for CU-Boulder.

The Emergency Management Specialist is responsible for continuity and disaster recovery planning, representing or serving as an alternative on various boards and commission, assisting in the development of training classes and exercises, assist with management of the EOC, assists with plan development, and other various administrative and general duties.  This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities and is supervised with the Director of the Emergency Management Division.  For a complete job description and to apply for this position, please go to Jobs at CU (https://www.JobsatCU.com), click on search postings on the left hand side menu bar, search for position #812569.

Minimum requirements include the following:

  • A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, Political Science, or a related field; and a minimum of three years of progressively responsible project/program management experience.
  • Skills in analysis and problem solving.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to prepare and present professional reports and program materials.
  • Demonstrated use of strong communication skills, ability to remain calm, professional and functional during stressful circumstances, willingness to work as a team member.
  • The ability to collect, organize, retain, analyze and produce information related to emergency management.
  • Experience in emergency management or continuity planning, practices, and policy development.
  • Experience in coordination with large organizations with multiple priorities.
  • Experience interacting with representatives of government, volunteer organizations, public officials, and business and community organizations.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
  • Ability to work independently, and prioritize work assignments and resources.
  • Considerable knowledge of current literature, trends and developments in the field of emergency management.
  • Considerable knowledge of the practices, procedure, standards and regulation regarding emergency management coordination at the local level.
  • Knowledge of procedures involved in the preparation of federal state grant applications.
  • Working knowledge of computer systems, database and spreadsheet management, and Microsoft Office products.
  • The ability to use technology to work and communicate, and the ability to assist in developing strategies for the use of technologies such as, online collaboration tools, video conferencing, etc.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with diverse constituencies of the campus community.
  • A valid Colorado driver license or the ability to obtain a Colorado driver license.
  • Applicants for the position are subject to reference checks.
  • Final applicants for this position are subject to criminal history, driving history and financial background checks.
  • This position may require irregular or extended work hours at times, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Any questions related to this posting should be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Molly Bosley at Molly.Bosley@Colorado.edu.

DenverUASI and DHS Wide Area Recovery and Resiliency Program (WARRP) - Kickoff Meeting - 2/16/11 - Denver, CO

The Denver Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is embarking on a collaborative program designed to reduce time and resources required to recover large urban areas, military installations, and associated critical infrastructures following a catastrophic chemical, biological and radiological incident.  This effort, called the Wide Area Recovery and Resiliency Program (WARRP), will kickoff in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.

The event is aimed at a broad range of professionals, including government decision makers, public health/healthcare professionals, critical infrastructure owners/operators, emergency managers, military personnel and private sector.

The meetings will be held at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202 and registration is being handled online at http://warrp.org/events/events.html.

The morning schedule is intended to provide an overview of the program and to allow for discussion, while the afternoon is reserved for symposium on the threats driving this program.  For more information on the kickoff event and register, visit the event page at http://warrp.org/events/events.html.

Colorado Winter Weather and Travel Tips/Resources

There are a number of resources available to keep you, your family and friends prepared and informed as winter weather conditions develop across Colorado.  Most importantly, stay tuned to local media and the National Weather Service - Colorado Weather Information for Colorado-specific reports, avalanche information and preparedness information.  Too, you will want to ensure you keep up with the latest conditions from the Colorado Department of Transportation on the ColoradoDOT site and also through their Colorado DOT Twitter feed.

 In addition to keeping up with the latest NWS Colorado Weather Advisories/Watches and Warnings, you should know what your local "sources" for emergency information, including available sms/text/email alerts, websites, local contact numbers and emails.  These local sources will be the best contacts for specific hazard and response actions in your area or the area to which you are traveling.  For specific tips on preparedness, there are some great winter preparedness checklists available online from READYColorado.

The best thing you can do, of course, is be prepared to not be a statistic by staying off the roads when conditions are poor.  Should travel be necessary, ensure you and your vehicle are prepared for conditions by:
- Battery and ingnition system should be in top condition and battery terminals clean
- Ensure antifreeze levels are sufficient to avoid freezing
- Ensure the heater and defroster work properly
- Check and repair windshield wiper equipment; ensure proper washer fluid level
- Ensure the thermostat works properly
- Check lights and flashing hazard lights for serviceability
- Check for leaks and crimped pipes in the exhaust system; repair or replace as necessary
- Check breaks for wear and fluid levels
- Check oil for level and weight - heavier oils congeal more at low temps
- Consider snow tires, snow tires with studs or chains
- Replace fuel and air filters - keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining full tank
- Remember to keep a winter weather emergency kit in your vehicle, just in case...

Winter Weather Vehicle Emergency Kit - more from READYColorado
- Extra clothing, such as blankets, coats, hat and gloves
- Shovel
- Flares and jumper cables
- Water and foods, such as trail mix and snacks

Driving safely on ice/snow-covered roads
- DO NOT PASS snow plows or sand trucks in operation!!!
- Allow extra time for any travel
- Decrease speed - stopping on ice and snow requires greater distance
- Brake gently to avoid sliding or skidding
- If your brakes do lock up, ease up on the brakes to regain traction
- Use lower gears in poor conditions to maintain traction
- Be careful when crossing bridges/overpasses as they will ice faster than roadways

Help, I am stuck!!!
- Do not spin your wheels - this is only going to dig you in deeper
- Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to clear snow immediately around the tire(s)
- Use a shovel to clear snow around the wheels and underside of the car
- Use sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in front of the tires to increase tractio

Job Announcement(s) - Governor's Office of Homeland Security

For anyone looking to start or move within the homeland security field, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security is looking for candidates to fill a number of open positions.  Deadline is coming up, so act fast to join & make a difference! 

For more on the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, check http://www.colorado.gov/homelandsecurity

Course Announcement - ICS-300 - Pueblo

This class was designed and scheduled for anyone with a schedule that varies.  You can take ICS 300 any day (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) the week of February 8th and then take the second half of the class either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday the following week (Feb 15-17).  To register go to http://co.train.org and register for Course ID 1005860 or contact the DEM Training Coordinator Robyn Knappe at  robyn.knappe@state.co.us for more information.  Download or view the course flier.