Incident Command System (ICS 400)

Course Description
ICS-400 level training is targeted for command and general staff, agency administrators, department heads, emergency managers, area commanders and Mulit-Agency Coordination System/Emergency Operations Center managers.

Course Topics
Topics include ICS fundamentals review for command and general staff, major and/or complex incident management, area command, and multi-agency coordination.

Course Objectives
These include understanding how major incidents engender special management challenges and understanding the circumstances in which an area command or multi-agency coordination systems are established.

Class Prerequisites
This course requires the completion of ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-700 and ICS-800 prior to this class.

Registration
co.train.org   Course ID: 1006001
Download the course flyer for more information.

Cost
Free training opportunity.

Course Dates and Location Information
When:  November 5 - 6, 2011

Time:   8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day

Location:  Hasty/McClave Volunteer Fire Station
                124 S. Main, Hasty, CO  81044

Community Emergency Response Training (Denver CERT)

Denver

Community Emergency Response Training (Denver CERT)


What would YOU do if a disaster hit close to home or work?

What:   This disaster preparedness and response training (FEMA Course G317) will include how to plan for a disaster and teach basic response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.  At the completion of this training participants are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Why:     When a disaster hits we can’t always depend on professional responders to be immediately available. We would like to have the citizens of Denver trained to help within their own communities.

Who:     This training is open to anyone. We will accept up to 40 participants. 

When:   December 7 and 8, 2011 8:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
             Class exercise will be December 10, 2011, 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
             All classes required for a certificate.

Where: Denver Human Service, 1200 Federal Boulevard,
             3rd Floor, Room 3109, Denver, CO

Cost:    The training will be provided at NO COST to participants.

Sponsored by: Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEM/HS); Denver Fire Department, Denver Human Services, North Center Region, Department of Homeland Security and the Organizational Management for Emergency General Activity (O.M.E.G.A.)

Course and registration information 
Contact: Carolyn H. Bluhm, OEM  or 720.865.7600.

Download the course flyer.

Winter Weather Preparedness Week

Governor John Hickenlooper has declared October 23 - 29, 2011, Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado. 

About Winter Weather Preparedness Week, Dave Hard, Director of the Colorado Division of Emergency Management said, "Coloradans have a responsibility to themselves, their loved ones, friends, neighbors and fellow citizens, to prepare for the possible impacts of severe weather.  There are a number of resources available to keep us prepared and informed as the snow and ice return to Colorado."

The National Weather Service maintains a comprehensive Winter Weather links page that provides a number of Colorado-specific reports, avalanche information and preparedness information.  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.

Each day highlights a certain aspect of winter preparedness:

·       Monday -  Winter Travel Safety

·       Tuesday - Watches...Warnings...and Advisories

·       Wednesday - High Winds

·       Thursday - Wind Chill Temperatures and Hypothermia

·       Friday - Avalanche Safety

·       Saturday - Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Review

The Colorado Division of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service stress the importance of families and individuals putting together an emergency supplies kit for any kind of emergency or disaster Coloradans might face like winter storms, floods, or wildfires. 

Robert Glancy of the National Weather Service said, "Winter weather can strike quickly, and abruptly.  Pay attention to forecasts and heed warnings, don't take unnecessary trips during a winter storm.  Make sure you have a 72 hour kit for your home and car, and realize that during large winter storms disrupted services can linger for 72 hours or longer."

Are you prepared?

Downloadable checklists for suggested items to stock in your 72-Hour Family Emergency Kit may be found on the www.READYColorado.com website.  There are also suggestions for kits for the home, the workplace, car and for pets.

Governor Hickenlooper's proclamation states that, "...an informed and prepared citizenry and organized disaster emergency teams can help the public better cope with and survive the effects of winter weather." 

Winter weather in Colorado can change rapidly and it is important to be prepared for these rapid changes.  The National Weather Service (NWS) can alert you of potential winter storms as far as seven days in advance, and will issue watches up to three days in advance of a storm, and warnings when there is a high confidence of a storm in the next 12 to 36 hours.

Resources

-National Weather Service Winter weather watches/warnings/advisories: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/product.php?site=BOU&product=WSW&issuedby=BOU

-Colorado Avalanche Information Center Homepage: http://avalanche.state.co.us/index.php

-www.READYColorado.com

Community Specific Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC)

The Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) is a week long exercise based training designed to take an entire team of professionals from a city or county to the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD for resident training to accomplish community emergency management objectives.  IEMC places public officials and emergency personnel in a realistic crisis situation within a structured learning environment, as the course progresses scenario-related events of increasing complexity, threat, and pressure occur.  Participants develop emergency policies, plans, and procedures to ensure an effective response.  The course culminates in an emergency exercise designed to test participant knowledge, awareness, flexibility, leadership, and interpersonal skills under extreme pressure.


Applications are extensive and the chief elected official of the jurisdiction submits a letter of request, addressing the specific criteria to the state of Colorado, Robyn Knappe, State Training Officer, Colorado Division of Emergency Management.  The applications will be reviewed and prioritized for inclusion and forwarding to the FEMA Regional office for review.  The deadline for application is mid-January but to allow for state and FEMA review - all Colorado applications should be submitted to CDEM by December 15, 2011.  For more information, contact Robyn Knappe, robyn.knappe@state.co.us or 720-852-6617.  More information on the IEMC can be viewed here.

Division of Emergency Management Names New Public Information Officer

Micki Trost has been selected to serve as the new Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Colorado Division of Emergency Management. 

"One of the key services the Division of Emergency Management provides to its local partners is the distribution and sharing of information impacting the public safety and well-being of communities," said Division of Emergency Management Director Dave Hard.  "We're pleased Micki is joining our team to perform that role."

Trost brings more than eight years of experience as a PIO and Life Safety Education Specialist with the West Metro Fire Protection District in Lakewood to the position. In addition, she is a PIO with the Jefferson County Incident Management Team. Micki has a bachelor's degree in Communications with a minor in Business Administration. 

Trost will begin her duties on Monday, October 24, 2011. Her contact information is 720-852-6630, micki.trost@state.co.us .