Volunteers Needed - Mass Decontamination Exercise - Boulder County (May 22) and Denver County (June 5)

Want to make a real, tangible difference and help your local emergency responders?  Try being a volunteer for the upcoming Mass Decontamination Exercise in Lafayette, Colorado (Boulder County) on May 22, 2010 or on June 5, 2010 in Denver County at St. Joseph Hospital. 

The Volunteer Victim Information - Boulder County - May 22 - Flier and the Volunteer Victim Information - Denver County - June 5 - Flier contain details on the event, what to wear and what to expect, and... for those of you motivated by such... "there will be snacks provided." 

The exercise will be held at the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette, CO, from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm on Saturday, May 22, 2010 -- hope to see you there!

NBC 9 News Denver - Statewide EAS Tornado Alert TEST

Tornado Touchdown in Bethune, Colorado, Good Reminder of Importance of Statewide EAS Alert TEST

Nothing like an actual TORNADO WARNING, sighting and siren activation during Colorado's Severe Weather Awareness Week like the one that happened tonight for a tornado outside of Bethune, Colorado, in Kit Carson County to stress the importance of tomorrow's (April 14, 2010) National Weather Service and Colorado Broadcaster Association's Statewide EAS TEST TORNADO WARNING, which will be conducted from 9:00 am until 11:00 am.

While the tornado outside Bethune that touched down briefly tonight was reportedly in open area, causing no injuries or damage, the tornado, along with heavy rainfall and possibility of large hail remind us that Spring is here, the weather is again rolling, and we need to be aware.  We need to be aware of what to do in the event of severe weather (check out great info on this from READYColorado) and we need to be aware of Colorado Local Emergency Management Contacts, Colorado threats and alert systems, including the growing number of mobile-capable, local text and sms alert systems. 

DHS Secretary Napolitano Announces Preparedness Task Force Members

On April 7, 2010, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the members of a new, nationwide Preparedness Task Force.  The Preparedness Task Force is comprised of a group of 35 local, state, tribal and federal preparedness experts including the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Emergency Management Director Hans Kallam.  The group's mission is to assess the nation's disaster preparedness status and make recommendations to enhance the nation's resiliency to disasters.


"It is a personal honor to represent Colorado and be a part of this team.  We have applied a lot of effort into preparedness over the past decade.  It is time to reflect and insure that our future efforts reduce our vulnerability and better prepare us for our next disaster," said Kallam of the effort.  


The Preparedness Task Force anticipates delivering their first set of assessment and recommendations in September 2010.

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Much more to follow, but - from the team here - CONGRATS, Hans!!!

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) G-775 Course - June 2-3, 2010 - Adams County

This 2 day course provides participants wit the knowledge and skills to effectively manage and operate an EOC during crisis situations.  The course covers locating and designing an EOC, how to staff, train, and brief EOC personnel, and how to operate an EOC during various situations.

The course is being sponsored by the Division and hosted by Adams County.  To register, sign up using the Division's Training Registration EZ Form and for questions or more information, contact Robyn Knappe at robyn.knappe@state.co.us - (720) 852-6600 or Jessica Schwarz at jschwarz@co.adams.co.us.