Colorado Mobile/SMS/Email Emergency Alert Systems List

As our collective reliance on mobile phones as primary communications increases, emergency managers in Colorado continue to add mobile, SMS and email-based notification systems to the alert system structure.  In Colorado, the types of notification systems established and maintained on a local basis are strictly the purview of local jurisdictions, based on population needs and local hazards.  To help you identify which ones to follow where you live or travel, I have started to maintain a list of known systems and their registration pages in Colorado where you can sign-up for alerts.

The list can be found at DEM's Colorado SMS/Text Alert and Mobile Emergency Alert Systems on DEM's site.

The initial list of systems was geared towards identifying available County-based systems.  That said, many municipalities and other organizations also maintain robust alert systems, such as the City of Denver.  So, I am now starting to add cities, towns and other organizations by County location, to the list so expect this initial list to grow! 

If I need to add one you know about - shoot me an email to brandon.williams@state.co.us and we'll get it online.  Thanks!

2010 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program Info

DEM is accepting applications for the 2010 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program. Application information is available on DEM's 2010 EOC Grant Program Info Page, including instructions and a template for completing applications. The Federal Emergency Management Agency grant guidance and the grant's frequently asked questions are also posted. Applications must be submitted electronically to DEM no later than January 29, 2010.

Please note there is only approximately $10 million available nationally, so applicants will face strong competition. For more information, contact Bob Wold at bob.wold@state.co.us or by phone at 720-852-6631.

Colorado Chapter Named the 2009 International Code Council Chapter of the Year

The mitigation and preparedness elements of emergency response are the ones that make the others - response and recovery - more manageable for communities and response entities.  There are many partners we here at the Division work with to engage in mitigation and preparedness activities, before a disaster, to help identify, assess and confront disaster-related challenges.

I understand from Marilyn Gally, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, that one those groups we work closely with, the Colorado Chapter of the International Code Council (CCICC), was recently recognized as the 2009 International Code Council Chapter of the Year.  According to the ICC, "to earn this designation, a chapter must demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in promoting the vision, mission and goals of the Code Council.  The Chapter of the Year also distinguishes itself through the development and implementation of programs designed to the increase the professionalism of its members and code officials everywhere, and participate in local, state, regional or national activities to increase the public awareness of safety in the built environment."

Of specific interest to the Colorado emergency management community, the award was given, in part, to recognize the disaster assessment evaluator training and the chapter volunteer's support to the Windsor tornado (May 2008), where, according to CCICC President Stephen Kanipe, "volunteers assessed more than 1,000 damaged structures and then worked with local aofficials to process more than six-thousand repair permits."

The chapter provides a wealth of training activities and resources in Colorado, all of which are designed to make buildings and our communities safer. 

One of the resources that the CCICC offers that, if you are in emergency management, you should check out is their updated "CCICC Disaster Operations Manual" as the field guide for how to initiate a disaster response, perform building damage assessments, engage in mutual aid agreements and other disaster-related actions.

Too, if you are interested in disaster assessment operations response training from DEM, check out the Disaster Assessment Course announcement for January 2009.

Reminder: No Posts Until 28 Dec 09 Due to State Furlough Restrictions

Just a reminder that the blog will not be updated until Monday, 28 Dec 09, due to labor hour restrictions regarding non-emergency response actions associated with the state employee furlough week.  As always, the DEM Duty Officer remains on call and available to assist emergency service personnel.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone and STAY SAFE!!!

A Real Colorado Hero... Jo Anne Stone's 45 Years of Emergency Service

After 45 years of emergency service in Colorado, Jo Anne Stone of Gunnison is retiring.

Chris Dickey, Editor of the Gunnison Country Times wrote a great piece entitled "Being There When it Counts" on Jo Anne in the Thursday, 24 Dec 09 edition and he was kind enough to post and share it:

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What a remarkable career.  Thanks, Jo Anne!!!

"Thanks," too, to Chris and the Gunnison Country Times.