Congratulations to our 45 Basic Emergency Management Academy Graduates

On August 15, 2019 45 emergency management, public safety and non-governmental organization representatives graduated from the FEMA Basic Emergency Management Academy hosted and coordinated by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

This is the largest graduating class for the FEMA Basic Emergency Management Academy.

The course consists of five sessions and 152 hours of instruction.  Congratulations to all those who graduated.  See the video slideshow below to view each of them receiving their FEMA certification.

Training Course: Benefit Cost Analysis Entry Level Workshop

Course Description

This course is designed as an introduction to the fundamental concepts of benefit-cost (BCA) analysis.  Participants will learn how to obtain benefit cost data and conduct analyses using the latest version of the Benefit Cost Toolkit. The newest version of the Benefit Cost software, Version 5.3, may be downloaded at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/128334. 

Please note: students will be required to bring their own computers to participate in the course. Please download the BCA software (Version 5.3) before coming to class at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/128334.

Prerequisites 

Participants must have knowledge of computers (basic Windows and spreadsheet programs) and must complete the following online tutorials: 

• Flood Insurance Rate Map tutorial at www.floodmaps.fema.gov/tutorials/ot_firm (30 minutes)
• Federal Insurance Studies tutorial at www.floodmaps.fema.gov/tutorials/ot_fis (40 minutes)
• IS 0276, Benefit-Cost Analysis Fundamentals

Course Registration

Registration will be through www.co.train.org with Course ID # 1060581.

Course Logistics

• Tuesday,April 11, 2017 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 12, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Lunch is on your own both days.
• Location:  State Emergency Operation Center, 9195 E. Mineral Ave, Suite 200, Centennial, CO 80112 
• For more information contact:  Vanessa Castillo at Vanessa.Castillo@state.co.us or Matt Arsenault at Matt.Arsenault@state.co.us.  

Social Media Strategies Training Registration Open

Register today for the Social Media Engagement Strategies course hosted by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Course Information

• Date: February 22, 2017
• Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Location: State Emergency Operations Center, Centennial, Colo.

Course Registion

Registration is through the National Disaster Preparedness Center website at https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/1823/.

Apply Today for the 2017 Colorado Emergency Management Academy

Academy Dates

The program begins April 11, 2017 and runs through October 19, 2017.

Academy Location

The Emergency Management Academy and all resident courses are held at the State Emergency Operations Center in Centennial, Colorado.

Academy Lodging

Lodging is provided by DHSEM for program attendees who live more than 50 miles from the course venue.
Academy Cost

There are no costs or fees for participating in the Emergency Management Academy. Students are responsible for their own meals.

Academy Application

An application must be submitted in March 1, 2017 and the participants are then notified by DHSEM.
Academy Courses

The 2017 Emergency Management Academy Schedule offers an example of the courses completed during the academy.

April

Introductions and Course Expectations
Emergency Management Program Overview
Basics for an Emergency Manager
Emergency Management Program Guide
S-2001 Threat Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA)
WebEOC Account Setup and Introduction

May

G-235 Emergency Planning
Whole Community Plans
Plan Adoption Process
Emergency Operation Plan Development

June

G0557 (Community Profile Development) and Rapid Needs Assessment
Alert and Warning
G-358 Evacuation & Re-Entry Planning

July

G-108 Mass Care
G-288 Volunteer and Donations Management
S-IDA Initial Damage Assessment Process Discussion

August

G-775 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Operations
S-703 Local Resource Ordering

September

G-205 Recovery from Disaster for Local Governments Role
G-318 Mitigation Planning for Local Government

October

G-191 Incident Command System (ICS)/ Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Interface
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Exercise
Graduation

Colorado Credentialing Project Training

The Colorado DHSEM Logistics staff will be providing training sessions focused on credentialing in January.

Sessions 

• Duplicate sessions, you can attend either or both days, they are repeats

• Friday January 20, 2017 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. -OR- 
• Saturday January 21, 2017 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Description

The first half of the training day will cover the Comprehensive Resource Management and Credentialing System (CRMCS), which is a resource management tool utilized more than 720 organizations in Colorado today and endorsed by the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS).

This statewide solution gives all city, county, municipalities, and tribal agencies the ability to credential personnel/equipment and produce the standardized ID card credential. As of December 16, 2016, almost 13,000 people have been credentialed in the system. This then allows for seamless interoperability across all city, county, and state lines. The resource information is housed in the web-based "Salamander LIVE" system. Folks who attend the training will obtain access to the system and gain the knowledge to be successful utilizing the solution.

The second half of the day will focus on the Salamander "TRACK APP" (for smartphones and tablets) to conduct resource accountability. The Salamander "rapidTAG" incident specific badging system and Salamander "COMMAND" solution will also be covered. Using "Salamander LIVE", this course will also cover the ability to gain greater situational awareness and generate incident specific reports.

 

Audience

Target Audience: State, County and local Emergency Management, Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, Public Works, Public Health, City/County Administration or any personnel who will be part of an emergency or disaster response. And any individuals who want to learn more about the uses and benefits of this ID and Credentialing System along with volunteer management aspects.

 

Location

Denver Police Department - District 3 - 1625 S University Blvd (I-25 and University Boulevard) - Community Room.

 

Contacts

• Jeremy Utter: Colorado DHSEM Logistics Chief at 720-852-6689 or  jeremy.utter@state.co.us.

• Brenden Ourth: Midwest Card / Salamander Representative at 816-935-8235 or bourth@midwestcard.com.

DHSEM Update: September 2016

The September DHSEM Update is available to read.  This issue includes information on:

• Call for Presentations: 2017 Colorado Emergency Management Conference
• Public Assistance DR-4229 Quarterly Reports Due October 14
• HMGP and PDM Fourth Quarter Reports Due October 15
• DHSEM Grant Information and Updates
• Kudos and Job Well Done Announcments
• Job and Volunteer Opportunities
• 2017 National Wildfire Mitigation Award Nomination Period Open
• FEMA Releases Second Version of Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide for Public Comment
• FEMA Releases Individual Assisrtance Declarations Factors Proposed Guidance
• Educational Resources
• Register for NFPA's Free Firewise Communities Virtual Workshop Series
• Register now for Colorado Wildland Fire and Incident Management Academy
• Mark you calendar for the 2017 Colorado Wildland Fire Conference
• Training and Exercise Information

Photos from DHSEM September Activities

FirstNet Colorado: Upcoming LTE Overview and Training Sessions

The FirstNet Colorado Team invites you to additional FREE Long Term Evolution (LTE) Overview and Training sessions throughout the state.  This session is targeted to technical staff and anyone interested in a high-level understanding of LTE and the design considerations for the future National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN).  It will include information on how an LTE system works, a variety of infrastructure approaches including small cells, macro cells, boomer cells and deployable LTE systems, and a comparison to Project 25 (P25) Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks.  Sessions can be attended person or streamed live on the FirstNet Colorado web broadcast (links provided on registration site).

• LTE Overview & Training - Northwest Region (Rifle) on Tues, 6/28/2016 at 9 a.m.- https://fncltetraining-northwestregion.eventbrite.com
• LTE Overview & Training - Northeast Region (Ft. Morgan) on Thurs, 6/30/2016 at 9 a.m.- https://fncltetraining-northeastregionfm.eventbrite.com
• LTE Overview & Training - Southeast Region (exact location TBD) on Wed 7/20/2016 at 9 a.m.- https://fteltetraining-southeastregion.eventbrite.com
• LTE Overview & Training - San Luis Valley Region (Alamosa) on Tues, 8/2/2016 at 9 a.m.- https://fncltetraining-slvregion.eventbrite.com
• LTE Overview & Training - South Central Region (Fairplay) on Wed, 8/3/2016 at 9 a.m.- https://fncltetraining-southcentralregion.eventbrite.com
• LTE Overview & Training - Southwest Region (Durango) on Thurs, 8/4/2016 at 9 a.m.- https://fncltetraining-southwestregion.eventbrite.com

Or you can view one of our previous sessions ON DEMAND on the FirstNet Colorado YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGdpwUxwR8Grva6gOGRDu_Rj1pEIAHjSD

Free Workshop: Testing Your Disaster Plan

The Colorado DHSEM Mitigation and Recovery Section recommends the workshop provided below by the Western States & Terrirtories preservation Assistance Service (WESTPAS).

ARE YOU READY?   Testing Your Disaster Plan

Course Logistics

• Date:  July 28, 2016
• Location:  Denver,  History Colorado
• Time:  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Cost: The workshop is free; just your time, energy, and institutional commitment.  Funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
• Sponsored by Western States & Territories Preservation Assistance Service (WESTPAS)
• Instructor: Julie A. Page, Co-Coordinator, California Preservation Program and WESTPAS

Course Information

Will your disaster plan work in a real disaster situation? It's better to find answers now than after a disaster has occurred! Attend this scenario-based and collaboration workshop to help heritage institutions – libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, etc. – improve disaster preparedness and response for collections.

This workshop will:

• Help you assess your vulnerabilities
• Test your plan using a scenario table top exercise
• Explore how collaborations can help you respond to a disaster
• Build a shared vision for regional disaster preparedness

Who should attend:

When possible, send two to three participants from your institution to work together on disaster preparedness activities:

• Staff member(s) responsible for emergency preparedness
• Administrator and/or manager responsible for the building/collection
• Key members of the emergency/disaster team responsible for decision-making

Requirements for attendance:

• A written disaster plan (draft okay) that includes collections response/recovery
• A letter of institutional commitment to explore collaboration to optimize preparedness
• A simple vulnerability assessment (distributed 3 weeks before workshop)

Course Registration

• Registration: Pre-registration required. Register online at WESTPAS workshop http://tiny.cc/ZePO
•  For registration assistance contact: Alexandra Gingerich gingerich@plsinfo.org
•  For general & content information contact: Julie Page jpage@westpas.org

DHSEM Update: December 15, 2015

The Colorado DHSEM Update includes the following information:

• Speaker Proposals Due Today for 2016 Colorado Emergency Management Conference
• Upcoming DHSEM Committee Meetings
• DHSEM Grant Information and Updates
• Job and Volunteer Opportunities
• One Month Left to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans
• 2016 Health Care Preparedness Summit
• Educational Resources
• Active Shooter Online Training from State of Colorado and DHSEM
• FEMA Webinar: National Flood Insurance Plan Changes
• DHSEM Social Media Templates Return in January
• FEMA Webinar:  Partnership Resources to Help Prepare Houses of Worship for Emergencies
•  911 Will Soon Receive More Precise Caller Location
• FEMA Preparedness Information for El Nino
• Training and Exercise Information
• DHSEM Training Course List
• FEMA Courses and Other Opportunities
• Important Reminders
• Current Fire Restriction Levels
• County Emergency Management Contact and Emergency Notification Links
• Share Information in the Next DHSEM Update
• WebEOC Link

View the DHSEM Update for December 15, 2015.

Procurement Trainings for DR-4229 Applicants

The FEMA Procurement Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) will be conducting procurement trainings next week for FEMA Public Assistance DR-4229 applicants. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports that a failure to follow federalprocurement regulations is one of the key issues identified in audit findings. This finding may result in a Public Assistance applicant (a FEMA PA Program sub-grantee) being asked to return Federal assistance.

One representative from each applicant participating in the FEMA Public Assistance program is required to attend this procurement training

Please be aware that missing this important training can put an applicant at higher risk of an OIG finding by being uninformed of common issues that arise during DHS OIG procurement auditing

The training sessions will be held in person at the following times and locations:

• Tuesday, September 1, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Emergency Services Center, 101 W. 10th St., Pueblo, CO 81003

• Wednesday, September 2, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Morgan CO Dept. of Human Services, 800 E. Beaver Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701

• Thursday, September 3, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., South Metro Fire Rescue (2nd floor), State EOC, 9195 E. Mineral Ave., Centennial, CO 80112

Please RSVP to the session that best fits your schedule by emailing Hart Gillespie at caroline.gillespie@state.co.us. We look forward to seeing you next week!

Required Training for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Applicants

The FEMA Disaster Procurement Assistance Team (DPAT) will be conducting training the afternoon of May 27th and the morning of May 28th. Training on the morning of the 27th will focus heavily on the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program; training on the 28th will focus heavily on the Public Assistance Program. Based on DHS OIG audit findings to date for Public Assistance Program in Colorado, procurement not following federal regulation is one of the key issues we have.

Attendance is mandatory for all Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) applicants conducting procurement as part of their project.

This training will cover essential Federal procurement guidelines to be applied to DRs 4067, 4133, 4134, and 4145 and future disaster events. If you or a member of your team has already attended previous iterations of this training, please send other representatives from your organization that will benefit. If you can’t make the session specific to your program, you may attend the other session.

FEMA DPAT Training Sessions
Date	Time
Wednesday, May 27, 2015	1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 28, 2015	8:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.

Location

The training sessions will be held in person at the State Emergency Operation Center. South Metro Fire/Rescue Building, 9195 E. Mineral Ave. Centennial, CO 80112 (second floor).  Please park on the roof of the parking garage.

Please share this information to all persons administering the Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs within your entity as this training is mandatory and will cover procurement information pertinent to all involved. Finance and program staff administering other FEMA programs such as Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program are also invited to attend.

Media Release: Media Availability to Showcase Colorado Interagency Wildfire Response Training Beginning Today

Media Release

April 10, 2015

Contact:

Colorado National Guard:  TSgt Jecca Geffre

Cell: (303) 912-3829

Media Availability to Showcase Colorado Interagency Wildfire Response Training

Denver, Colo, Thursday, April 10, 2015 – The Colorado Army National Guard 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment, based at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, will partner with the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region, Bureau of Land Management, and Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control in an annual inter-agency wildland fire training exercise by conducting helicopter-based fire suppression training April 10-16. The 2-135th AVN will be working with active duty Army aviation units from Ft. Carson, as well as National Guard units from Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Residents and visitors in and near the vicinity of Chatfield Reservoir, Waterton Canyon and Strontia Springs Reservoir may notice military helicopters in the area during daylight hours approximately from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as military personnel conduct training exercises in preparation for wildfire response. All training has been closely coordinated with park staff to ensure it is conducted in a safe manner with minimal to park visitors or park operations.  The parks will remain open during the exercises.

Months of preparation were required for this exercise, ensuring the coordination of site locations, planning, movement of equipment and environmental considerations.

News Conference/ Media Availability Information
 

Date:      Friday, April, 10, 2015

Time:    9 a.m.    (Arrive at Gate no later than 8:45 a.m.)

Place:    Buckley Air Force Base, Mississippi Gate, Aurora Colorado

News media representatives should arrive at the Mississippi Avenue gate one block east of Tower Road.  Media will drive through the commercial vehicle lane and their vehicles will be searched.  Media representatives must have proof of insurance, vehicle registration, identification and valid press credentials (business cards are sufficient).  Media will be escorted to the Army Aviation Support Facility.  Media will be escorted off base at the conclusion of the conference and/or when they have the material they require.

Speaking: Agency representatives from Colorado National Guard, USFS and Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

Visuals Friday: Colorado National Guard aircraft and buckets, DFPC Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) will be onsite and participants actively learning from more than a dozen agencies. Visual opportunities for bucket drops will be shared during the media availability.

 

Planning has also included coordination with local authorities including: Denver Water, Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, City of Longmont, Longmont Fire, Boulder Wildland Fire Fighting Division, City of Boulder and National Parks Service.

Contacts:  General questions regarding this training should be directed to the Colorado National Guard State Public Affairs Office at ng.co.coarng.list.staff-pao2@mail.mil or 720-250-1053.

Agency specific questions should be directed to:

• Colorado DFPC and DHSEM, PIO: Micki Trost, micki.trost@state.co.us, 303-472-4087
• USFS, PIO:  Lawrence Lujan, lmlujan@fs.fed.us, 303-275-5356
• Denver Water, Senior Media Coordinator: Travis Thompson, travis.thompson@denverwater.org, 303-628-6700  
• Ft. Carson, Media Relations Chief, Dani Johnson, daneta.johnson.civ@mail.mil, 719-338-0506

Training Opportunity: EOC - IMT Interface Course Openings

There are vacancies in the E0947 Course (EOC-IMT Interface IEMC) held at EMI December 15-18, 2014.  The course is designed to provide an exercise environment for EOC members and IMT responders to practice communications and coordination between the EOC and field operations command during simulated incidents, both planned and unplanned.

The EOC-IMT Interface course describes the roles, responsibilities and relationships of local emergency operations centers (EOCs) and Incident Management Teams (IMTs).   It trains participants on effective management of domestic incidents and exercises the interfaces between EOC personnel and All Hazards IMTs (Type 3, 4 and 5).  This IEMC clarifies the difference between resource management at the EOC and on-scene command.  It presents four ways an EOC can be organized and explains the difference between the IMT’s on-scene command responsibilities and an EOC’s coordination responsibilities. 

To apply, please submit a FEMA Form 119-25-1 to NETC Admissions before Friday, October 31, 2014.

If you have questions about applying for this course, please contact the DHSEM State Training Officer Beth Roome at beth.roome@state.co.us.  

BLM Partners with Colorado DFPC to Conduct Helicopter Training for Wildfire Response

News release provided by BLM - Southwest District Fire Management PIO Chris Barth.

Wildland firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management, other federal agencies and local cooperators are training in the safe and effective use of helicopter operations on wildfire incidents this week. About 25 students are enrolled in the training; which is being sponsored by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC).

Students will gain hands-on proficiency in the tactical and logistical use of helicopters to achieve efficiency and awareness of nationally recognized standards. Classroom training during much of the week is followed by a field exercise with a DFPC-contracted helicopter on Friday, Sept. 26. During the field exercise, students will practice shuttling firefighting crews and using helicopters to transport cargo.

The field exercise will take place on BLM managed lands about 1.5 miles southwest of Montrose along Highway 90 in an area popular for target shooting. Due to the helicopter activity, that area will be closed on Friday, Sept. 26, for the safety of the public. Highway 90 will remain open.

Wildfire response often involves the use of aviation resources and can include a variety of aircraft and operations. Helicopters are used to drop water, transport crews, reconnaissance, infrared heat detection, and deliver supplies to firefighters. Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies continue to train firefighters to their highest safety standards, including placing emphasis on understanding and safely responding to the dynamics of highly complex and hazardous situations.

To learn more, contact Chris Barth, BLM Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist, at 970-240-5317 or cbarth@blm.gov.

DHSEM Update: August 11

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Update:  August 11, 2014

Included in this DHSEM Update:

• 2014 LEPC Conference
• Public Comment Sessions for CDBG-DR
• Job and Volunteer Opportunities
• Kudos and Congratulations
• Educational Resources
• Twitter Tips
• 2014 National Preparedness Report
• READYColorado Events Calendar
• Real-Time Lightning Map
• Black Forest Fire and Waldo Canyon Fire Research Study
• Training Courses and Information

DHSEM Update: August 1

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Update:  August 1

This issue of the DHSEM Update includes information on:

• Public Assistance
• Public Hearings Announced for Amendment to CDBG-DR Action Plan
• Colorado Day of Service
• CEPC Annual Conference
• Job and Volunteer Opportunities
• CEPP August Meeting Reminder
• Kudos and Congratulations
• Education Resources
• National Geographic Article on Wildfire Mitigation
• CML Knowledge Now
• Webinar Notes on Climate Adaptation and Critical Infrastructure
• FEMA Social Media in Emergency Preparedness
• READYColorado Events Calendar
• Training Information
• FEMA Workshops and Conferences
• Upcoming PIO Courses
• DHSEM Training Calendar

DHSEM Update: July 17

Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Update:  July 17, 2014

Information included in this week's Update:

• Colorado United Day Webinar
• Flood Recovery Information Updates
• CDBG-DR Stakeholder Meetings
• HMGP Acquisition Meeting
• Job and Volunteer Opportunities
• CEPP Meeting:  Emergency Communications
• Kudos
• Educational Resources
• EPA Resources
• Public Information Officer Resources
• Tri-County Health Department Resources
• Training Information
• FEMA Courses
• Master Exercise Practitioner Program Series
• DOLA:  Governance and Intergovernmental Cooperation for Local Government Officials from Smaller Jurisdictions
• Emergency Management and Planning Degree
• DHSEM Training Courses
• Important Reminders