Our opt-in monthly e-newsletter shares ideas and stories, program and product announcements, and other resources we hope you find of interest. (Note: Some links open a new window or tab.) 

This month's topics:

 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: National Preparedness Month 
      Special Business Pricing!
      Use up those 2010 grant dollars!
      School / Youth Group Fundraisers
      Depiction mapping and simulation software
 PREP SERIES = CHANGE TO E-NEWS
 ON THE BOOKSHELF: GIS in Hospital and Healthcare EM
 NEED FIRST RESPONDER INPUT PLEASE!
 DID YOU KNOW… 
 COOL LINKS / IDEAS

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: National Preparedness Month
  
September is National Preparedness Month sponsored by the FEMA’s Ready Campaign, and Fedhealth once again is proud to be an NPM coalition member. We completely agree with the Ready Campaign message … preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. We all need to work together to ensure that individuals, families, businesses and communities are ready.

But what does being “ready” or “prepared” mean..? First, let’s review a few statistics from FEMA...

...40% to 60% of businesses do not reopen following a major disaster;

...according to the 2009 Citizen Corps National Survey, only 36% of individuals believed there was a high likelihood of a natural disaster to EVER happen in their community;

...most people, as in 67% of respondents, say they plan on relying on government in the first couple of days.

Emergencies, disruptions (like blackouts), and natural disasters happen. And, although First Responders will do their best to reach those affected, it may be days (or weeks) before help arrives -- or utilities or food distribution networks get back to normal.

Now ~ ask yourself some basic questions. Would you, your loved ones or employees have enough supplies on-hand at home, school or the office if the modern conveniences (electricity, running water, sewage, etc) aren’t functioning? What if the store shelves are empty since suppliers can’t get food and water shipped in? Have you talked to your family, neighbors, and employees about meeting places; how to evacuate and shelter-in-place; how to assemble disaster kits; or what to expect before, during and after different types of scenarios? Do you really want to rely on someone else to come save you..?

Our 268-page IT’S A DISASTER! book can help with these questions and others since it provides quick-reference instructional bullets about what people should think about and do to prepare for different types of disasters and emergencies, as well as how to administer basic first aid in one easy-to-use source.

And our programs and discounted pricing can help agencies, businesses, churches, nonprofits, schools, neighborhoods and others get this information in the public’s hands where it can do some good.

Some ideas that could help make your communities and our nation safer, stronger and better prepared include:

Special Business Pricing!  We are discounting our business price on our customizable IT’S A DISASTER! books even further down to 75% off list (only $3.50 U.S. each when purchasing 10 or more copies) now through 9/30/2010. And books can be customized at no additional charge to include your logos and special messages to recipients. Learn more

Use up those 2010 grant dollars!  Many Federal grants close out September 30th so if your agency or nonprofit has dollars that need to be spent before a deadline, please consider using IT’S A DISASTER! books to commit those funds. The book qualifies as community education under many different grants (e.g. DHS, DOJ, etc) and provides a minimum $4-to-$1 return on match. Fedhealth is a sole source, small business on DoD’s Central Contractors Registration database. Learn more

School / Youth Group Fundraisers A great way for schools and youth groups to participate in September’s National Preparedness Month is to use our IT’S A DISASTER! book as a fundraiser and earn 10% - 100% profits while educating local communities! Learn more

Depiction This mapping, simulation and collaboration software can help First Responders, businesses, families and communities create interactive scenarios about real or hypothetical events. Learn more 

Sources for above statistics: National Underwriter Property & Casualty, Citizen Corps 2009 National Survey, In Case of Emergency, Read Blog

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PREP SERIES = CHANGE TO E-NEWS

For National Preparedness Month we are doing a few articles each week packed with data and resources through the end of September. So ... for the next 5 weeks we’ll send out a short weekly message with some links … then, we will back off to twice a month thereafter. (Starting in Oct we’ll send out our monthly e-news then a short reminder email a few weeks later.) And please email us if you have any news or story ideas we can share!
 
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ON THE BOOKSHELF: GIS in Hospital and Healthcare Emergency Management

The first book of its kind, GIS in Hospital and Healthcare Emergency Management by Ric Skinner, GISP, presents a wide range of practical and forward-thinking applications for GIS technology implementation within hospitals and healthcare.

The book provides examples of healthcare facilities and organizations that are already using GIS technology to improve their emergency management and disaster preparedness mandates and responsibilities. In addition, this book will help healthcare facilities anticipate and prepare for disasters and other scenarios in ways that are invaluable for continuity of operations and services.

In the book’s sixteen chapters, thirty-three Subject Matter Experts explain how to effectively apply GIS data to assess need, determine surge capacity, and improve logistics in an emergency or disaster. Chapter contributions discuss in detail case studies that examine the application of GIS modeling to real-world scenarios and highlight real-world solutions. Included with the book is a CDROM with color images, and hundreds of useful forms, exercises, and many additional resources.

The book’s Foreword is written by R. Tom Sizemore III, MD, Principal Deputy Director, Office of Preparedness & Emergency Operations, U. S. Department of Health & Human Services, who says the book “has pulled together leaders and scientists from an incredible cross-section of those who are truly involved in the preparations for, and responses to, emergencies. These authors—leaders in their fields—have managed to explain a comprehensive range and depth of information that will prove to be critical to an organization that wants to ensure success in their planning and response. My fervent hope is that those involved in emergency planning and operations will derive invaluable benefits and lessons from this book."

GIS in Hospital and Healthcare Emergency Management
  Hardback with CD-ROM Price:  $99.95
  ISBN:  9781439821299
  Publication Date:  April 27, 2010
  Number of Pages:  279
  View book summary, Table of Contents, reviewer's comments + order HERE
  Ebook (readers can purchase individual chapters) available HERE
  Amazon price: $67.46

Ric Skinner, a Certified Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP), is an experienced consultant and researcher whose expertise includes health geographics, hospital & healthcare preparedness, GIS and environmental monitoring and assessment. Currently Ric has his own consultancy, The Stoneybrook Group LLC. It is a Veteran-owned Business based in Sturbridge, MA, and offers services to clients in hospital/healthcare preparedness, health geographics, and GIS. Learn more at http://www.healthGISguy.com

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NEED FIRST RESPONDER INPUT PLEASE!

We are sharing a blog post from USFRA.org by Peter P. Gladis, Director of RSL Fiber Systems since they are looking for input from First Responders…

“Remote Source Lighting systems generate light in one location and transport the light non-electrically via fiber optic cable (not electrical wires) to a remotely located non-electrical light fixture. The distance from the light source to light delivery location can be 1000 feet or more.” ... RSL Fiber Systems currently makes these unique lighting systems for the US Navy and Director Gladis believes “the technology also has significant benefits for First Responders, as well as for unique Homeland Security focused organizations.” Please read full post and provide some feedback on this technology here

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DID YOU KNOW...

…the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) detects and responds to an average of 64 incidents and 3,750 alert events daily?! Source: America First (blog post by Bob Connors called A Day in the Life of DHS)

...hackers could use "man-in-the-browser" attacks to steal classified or other sensitive information from federal agencies. The malware even allows the perp to adjust the user's balance online and in downloaded PDF documents as needed, to evade detection. Source: NextGov

…the World Record Hailstone honor is now in Vivian SD?! A late July 2010 hailstone was 18-1/2 inches around and weighed in at 1.9375 pounds. Source: KELOLAND TV

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