OEM Weekly Update ~ September 28

Colorado Office of Emergency Management Weekly Update ~ September 28

Information included in the update:
  • October 3 Traffic Disruptions Due to Presidential Debates at DU
  • Colorado Office of Emergency Management Exercise Calendar
  • 2013 Colorado Emergency Management Academy
  •  Operation Vortex
  • Colorado Flood Threat Portal
  • 2013 Colorado Emergency Management Conference:  Resilience through Collaboration
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee
  • FEMA Announces 2012 Community Resilience Innovation Challenge
  • Job Announcements
  • Kudos and Congratulations
  • Educational Resources
    •  October Social Media Preparedness Messages
    • Disaster and Emergency Medicine Presentation
    • Researchers Study Waldo Canyon Fire Twitter Activity
    • Public Information Symposium and Networking Conference
    • Crisis Communication Plan from Jefferson County IMT III Team
    • Denver Community Emergency Response Training
  • Training Information
    • Denver UASI Trainings
    • Wildfire Hazard Training
    • Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) A-Team Training
    • EMI Training Opportunities
    • September Courses 
    • October Courses
    • November Courses
    • December Courses
If you would like to submit information for the OEM Weekly Update, please email it to Micki Trost, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management PIO at micki.trost@state.co.us.

October 3: Interstate 25 to close for 2012 Presidential Debate at University of Denver

Information from Colorado Department of Transportation.


Contacts: Stacey Stegman, CDOT

Ann Williams, Denver Public Works

Motorists urged to plan ahead in order to minimize travel disruptions


DENVER— On the evening of Wednesday, October 3, Interstate 25 will be completely closed in both directions from the Santa Fe Drive (US 85) interchange to the Hampden Avenue (US 285) interchange for the 2012 presidential debate at the University of Denver. Although all closures, dates and times are subject to change, it is anticipated that the six-mile portion of I-25 will be closed from approximately 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Federal authorities requested the closure to help ensure safety during the presidential debate.



There are numerous ways for motorists to pass through the city (see maps at www.cotrip.org):

For southbound I-25 traffic passing through the city:

I-25 to Santa Fe Drive (US 85)

· Continue south on Santa Fe Drive to Hampden Avenue and travel east/north on Hampden to I-25 (posted detour route)

OR

· Continue south on Santa Fe to C-470 and travel east to I-25

I-25 to I-70

· West on I-70, connect to C-470 and travel south to I-25

OR

· East on I-70, connect to I-225 and travel south to I-25

For northbound I-25 traffic passing through the city:

I-25 to Hampden Avenue

· Go west to Santa Fe Drive (US 85) and travel north to I-25 (posted detour route)

I-25 to I-225

· North on I-225 to I-70, then west to I-270 or I-25

The following arterial streets are recommended if you prefer to travel on other roadways:

For east/west travel:

6th Avenue

Alameda Avenue

Yale Avenue

For north/south travel:

State Highway (SH) 121 (Wadsworth Boulevard)

SH 95 (Sheridan Boulevard)

SH 88 (Federal Boulevard)

Broadway

SH 2 (Colorado Boulevard)

Monaco Parkway

To avoid the entire area, these routes provide additional options:

Southbound I-25 alternate routes

· I-76 east to I-270 to I-70 to I-225 (preferred)

· I-70 east to I-225 (preferred)

· E-470 to I-70 or I-25 (tollway)

Northbound I-25 alternate routes

· C-470 west to I-70 (preferred)

· I-225 to I-70 (preferred)

· E-470 to I-70 or I-25 (tollway)

University Boulevard is not a recommended route on debate day as it will be closed in sections at various times. Also, beginning at approximately 6 p.m. on October 2, Buchtel Boulevard will be closed from Franklin Street to University Boulevard with local eastbound access to High Street.

Please remember that all closures, dates and times are subject to change and delays are to be expected throughout the system.

On the day of the debate, CDOT and Denver Public Works will work to minimize further impacts to roadways from construction and maintenance work in the affected area.

Also, oversize/overweight vehicles and longer vehicle combinations (LVCs) will be prohibited from travel on the I-25 corridor between I-225 and I-76 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on US 85 (Santa Fe Drive) between I-25 and Hampden Avenue (US 285) and on Hampden Avenue between Santa Fe Drive and I-25 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Extended Courtesy Patrol (CDOT’s free motorist assistance program) services will be provided on I-25 all day on October 3. In addition, the routes and services will be extended to 10 p.m. on Oct. 3 on I-25, I-225, US 6 and I-70, Hampden Avenue and Santa Fe Drive to ensure added safety and mobility of travelers.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is planning to operate the entire light rail system on its normal weekday schedule. The bus routes will experience detours due to street closures, which will be posted on the RTD website at www.rtd-denver.com. RTD is asking that passengers add time to their commute and have patience.

For the most current highway and road information on debate day, follow @ColoradoDOT and @DenPublicWorks on Twitter, visit www.cotrip.org where you can sign up for text and email alerts, or call 511. For information on the debate itself, visit http://debate2012.du.edu/

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2013 Colorado Emergency Management Academy Program

Register Now for the 2013 Academy


The Colorado Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is accepting applications for the 2013 Emergency Management Academy from new and existing emergency managers throughout the State.  The nine month program consists of training opportunities and resident courses that are developed to be Colorado specific and tailored to show Colorado processes.  The academy will provide networking opportunities with emergency managers and professionals across the state and will culminate with a week-long resident course and a final Emergency Operations Center (EOC) based exercise.

Pre-Requisites for the Emergency Management Academy

  • FEMA Professional Development Series comprised of seven Independent Study Courses)
  • ICS - 100
  • ICS - 200
  • ICS - 300
  • ICS - 400
  • IS - 700 Introduction to NIMS
  • IS - 800 National Response Framework

Deadline for Applications


Applications are due back to the Office of Emergency Management's Operations Section no later than October 31, 2012.

Download the 2013 Colorado Emergency Management Academy Application and Schedule.

Course Information

Dates:  The program begins November 27-29, 2012 with the final academy dates being July 22-26, 2013.

Location:  The Emergency Management Academy and all resident courses will be held at the Office of Emergency Management located at 9195 E. Mineral Avenue, Centennial, CO,  80112.

Lodging:  Lodging will be provided by the Office of Emergency Management for attendees who live more than 50 miles from the course venue.

Food:  Snacks and refreshments will be provided.  Lunch will be on your own except for the day of the EOC exercise.

Costs:  There is no cost or fees for participating in the Emergency Management Academy.

Questions:  Contact Chad Ray at Chad.Ray@state.co.us with any questions related to the academy.

Middle Elk Fire North of Glenwood Springs: #COFire

Middle Elk Fire Information Provided by Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management:  September 23 at 8:30 p.m. 


The Middle Elk Fire increased from 100 acres yesterday to 212 today, September 23. It is burning in rough terrain in thick mixed conifer and aspen on the west side of the Buford New Castle Road near Hiner Spring on the Flat Tops. The public is being asked to avoid the area at this time in order for firefighters and equipment to move safely when needed. Closures and roadblocks of roads in the area, including the Buford New Castle Road, may occur at any time over the next few days.

Very dry conditions and the fact that mature and thick timber is igniting, torching, then throwing multiple spot fires in advance of the fire front are producing dangerous conditions for the firefighters. Such fire behavior also caused a precautionary evacuation for all side roads east of the Buford New Castle Road at Hiner Spring as well as Meadow Creek Campground. These areas remain closed until further notice. Deputies from both Garfield and Rio Blanco Counties are assisting with closures and roadblocks.

Under the supervision of Incident Commander Ross Wilmore, personnel on the fire include the two Juniper Valley and one Cheyenne River Hand Crews along with three engines plus one engine Strike Team and a light helicopter staffed by Rifle and Mesa Verde Helitak. Additional resources that are needed and have been ordered are three type 1 (“Hotshot”) hand crews. Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) and Air Attack worked on the fire while cooler temperatures and cloud cover helped modify the fire spread.

Predicted high winds did not occur with the passage of a front on the fire today. Moisture is predicted over the fire within the week.

This fire is evidence that the fire season is not over. Please use caution when visiting public lands.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Law Enforcement Officers.


Information is also posted on the agency website at http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2gjc/.
 Media Line is 970-244-3104.

Three Springs Fire Contained West of Massadona

The Three Springs Fire, reported yesterday, September 17, at 4:37 p.m., spread quickly in dry grass south of U.S. Highway 40 in western Moffat County. At least five separate wildland fires were ignited along the highway from sparks created by a chain dragging behind a vehicle. A single engine air tanker dropped one load of fire retardant to slow the fires spread and give engines and ground crews a chance to fight the wildland fire. No structures were threatened but there were power lines in the area that could potentially have been impacted.

Responding to the incident were Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Artesia Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management, and Dinosaur National Monument.

The fires were contained at 8:30 p.m. last night. Total acres burned is 107.5 acres, the largest of the blazes is 85 acres.

Two BLM engines returned to continue mop up today. The fires are on BLM public land with a small portion on private and Colorado state land.

Vegetation is dry and people are asked to use caution with all outdoor fires. To report a wildland fire call 911 or 970-826-5037.


NOTE: Smoky conditions are due to wildland fires north of Colorado in Idaho and Montana.

Information provided by BLM PIO, Lynn Barclay.

Colorado Rebuilds Fire Adapted Communities Workshops with OEM Staff: September 22

The Colorado Office of Emergency Management is partnering with the  Fire Adapted Communities Coalition in cooperation with Lowe's Home Improvement and state and local partners to present workshops where homeowners will get hands-on instruction about choosing the most fire-resistant construction materials and advice about maintaining homes in wildfire-prone ares.


Wildfire Preparedness Workshop

Date:       Saturday, September 22
Time:      11:00 a.m.
Place:      Colorado Springs Lowe's at 4880 N. Nevada Avenue

Stop by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management booth to speak with the mitigation and recovery staff.





Social Media and Websites for Additional Information

Visit the website http://disastersafety.org/colorado-rebuilds/ for additional workshop and educational  information. 

Information is also posted on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/disastersafety.  You do not need to have a account to view information on this Twitter feed.

Preparedness information can also be obtained at www.COEmergency.com, on our Twitter account at www.Twitter.com/COEmergency, and our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/COEmergency.




OEM Weekly Update ~ September 3

Office of Emergency Management Weekly Update ~ September 3

Information included in this week's update:
  • OEM Transition Information
  • Colorado Vigilant Guard Exercise 2012
  • Save the Date:  2013 Colorado Emergency Management Conference
  • Colorado National Preparedness Activities
  • Job Announcements
  • Kudos and Congratulations
  • Educational Resources
  • Training Information
If you have items that you would like to include in the OEM Weekly Update, please email Micki Trost at micki.trost@state.co.us.