May, 2024
Volume 18 Issue 5
**Best viewed on a computer browser or horizontally if you are on a smartphone**
Disaster Declaration Approved for Five Vermont Counties
President Joseph Biden has signed a Major Public Assistance disaster declaration for five Vermont counties to assist communities in recovering costs for repairing public infrastructure damaged by the severe winter storm of January 9-13, 2024. The declaration covers Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, and Orleans counties and will be referred to as DR-4470
Cities, towns, and public utilities in the declared counties now qualify for 75% reimbursement of recovery costs arising from the storm under the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program. Eligible costs include power restoration, debris removal, road and public building repairs, staff overtime responding to and cleaning up after the storm, and contractor assistance. The most significant impact of this storm was widespread power outages.
State and Federal assessors identified more than $2.3 million in storm-eligible costs during a Preliminary Damage Assessment in January; the final tally will be higher statewide.
Applicant briefings have been held for those towns seeking reimbursement; if you missed the meeting please contact kim.canarecci@vermont.gov.
The declaration includes funds from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). That funding can be used to provide 75% reimbursement for projects anywhere in the state that reduce the likelihood of damage to public infrastructure in future disasters.
For more information on the Federal Public Assistance Program, visit https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public
For more information on the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, visit https://vem.vermont.gov/funding/mitigation
Homeland Security Nonprofit Security Grant Opportunity
The State of Vermont, Vermont Department of Public Safety - Homeland Security Unit is pleased to announce the application period for grant funding is now open for the following grant program:
• FY2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program
INFORMATION
For all funding announcements, application materials, instructions, and resources, please visit the Homeland Security Unit website. Please familiarize yourself with the requirements of the funding announcement, what must be submitted, and what requests are allowable.
APPLICATION DUE DATE
All applications and supporting documentation must be RECEIVED by the Homeland Security Unit by Friday, May 31st at 5:00 p.m. EST. Proposals received after this date and time may NOT be eligible for consideration. To facilitate processing, completed grant applications and supporting documentation must be sent via email to DPS.HSUGrants@vermont.gov. Your application and supporting documentation must be received no later than the due date and time listed above.
Please note that there will not be a secondary submission period for missing or incomplete supporting documents as there have been in some previous years. This is due to the shorter application window for submission to FEMA. Using the provided checklist on the required Signature Page as a guide, we urge you to ensure that your application is fully complete before submission.
QUESTIONS?
For all funding announcements, application materials, instructions and resources, please visit the Homeland Security Unit website.
If you have additional questions about the grant opportunities, please contact DPS.HSUGrants@vermont.gov.
WHAT NEXT?
Please communicate these funding opportunities to the agencies, organizations, and communities you represent.
For a general program overview, please view our training video (also available on our website). Additionally, The Homeland Security Until will hold four technical assistance sessions to assist with the development of applications. We also welcome questions provided in writing to the email address listed above.
To register for a technical assistance session, please email Vermont Homeland Security. Registration for sessions will close 24 hours prior to the sessions at which point meeting invites will be distributed to those registered. The dial-in information will be distributed at that time. If no attendees join within 15 minutes of the meeting start time, the session will end.
Technical Assistance Sessions
May 8th, 2024
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
May 15th, 2024
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
May 22nd, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
May 29th
11 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Weather Assistance for Large Outdoor Events
Outdoor events in Vermont are weather-dependent, and at times the weather can become hazardous for attendees. The National Weather Service (NWS) works closely with emergency managers and public safety officials to provide critical weather information when hazardous weather approaches an event for overall public safety.
Organizers and/or emergency managers for communities hosting these events should work together and establish an Emergency Action Plan prior to the event. During the event, closely monitor and act when an impending weather hazard threatens your event.
The National Weather Service can assist with weather information before and during outdoor activities. Contact NWS to report your large outdoor event, and forecasters can help with monitoring hazardous weather and general forecasts.
This requires local emergency managers to provide NWS Burlington with the following information at least 2 weeks prior to the event.
Name of Venue
Date(s)
Times
Location (Street Address, latitude/longitude if possible)
Approximate Attendance
Emergency Point of Contact and Phone #s (Local EM, First Responder Representative, or 911 Center)
You can find an online fillable Google form at https://www.weather.gov/btv/dssrequest. In the end, the ultimate responsibility of keeping abreast of any weather hazards is with the venue organizers and/or local emergency management personnel.
The main weather hazards that will likely impact an outdoor venue with very little advance notice (minutes) would be thunderstorms and lightning. Other potential weather hazards include strong winds, potential flooding, and extreme heat.
The NWS has established several partnerships to increase public safety at various venues: the Franklin County Fair and Franklin County Emergency Management, the Champlain Valley Exposition and Essex Junction Emergency Services, and numerous venues along Burlington’s waterfront working with Burlington Emergency Services.
NOAA Weather All Hazard Radio is also a direct link to NWS offices, broadcasting life-saving weather warnings within seconds. Venue organizers, local first responders, and/or emergency management directors are also encouraged to have one of these radios on hand during events.
The NWS Burlington office can be reached at 1-802-863-4279.
2024 Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference
The 2024 Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference will be held September 10th-11th, 2024, at Lake MoreyResort in Fairlee. Vermont Emergency Management is now seeking proposals for conference speakers and exhibitors.
The Call for Speakers is open until June 3rd: 2024 Speaker Proposal. Each session will be 45 minutes.
The Call for Exhibitors is also open until June 3rd: 2024 Call for Exhibitors. Exhibitors will need to remain set up on both days of the conference.
If you plan to stay at Lake More Resort during the conference, please call 1-800-423-1211 and let them know you will be attending the Vermont Emergency Management Conference and would like the special room rate and specify the type of room you’d like listed below. The special rates are available until Sunday, August 12th.
For updates and more information, visit the VEM Emergency Preparedness Conference page
Nominations Wanted for Vermont Emergency Management Director of the Year
Nominations for 2024 Emergency Management Director of the Year are now being accepted. Nominations must be received by noon on August 1st to be considered. The recipient will be recognized at the Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference for demonstrating excellence in the local Emergency Management Director role. To be eligible, a nominee must:
• Have been a duly appointed Emergency Management Director for their town/city at some point between August 1, 2023, and August 1, 2024.
• Be from a town/city with a current Local Emergency Management Plan on file with Vermont Emergency Management.
• Be enrolled in or completed training within the Vermont EMD Certification Program.
Training
Most trainings require a Learning Management System(LMS) account. If you don’t have an account, you can register for one at the following link: https://vermont.csod.com/selfreg/register.aspx?c=%255e%255e%255eQGm2wxcSUvINsXvXjRYs1A%253d%253d
For a complete listing of trainings go to the Events Calendar in the LMS: https://vermont.csod.com/LMS/catalog/EventsCalendar.aspx?tab_page_id=-10&tab_id=20000513#m=2&d=03/08/2023
VT- Alert Manager Training: This training is now an anytime training in the LMS. We will still host the virtual live training. You can take this training at the following link on the LMS: https://vermont.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/video/588bdf66-6e68-490e-aa8b-18ccdd115184
May 2024
ICS-402 ICS Summary for Executives
The purpose of this course is to provide an orientation to the Incident Command System for Executives and Senior Officials
LOCATION: Virtual
DATE/TIME: May 14, 2024, 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System(LMS)
If you don’t have an LMS account you can register through Microsoft forms
MGT -417: Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents for Key Decision Makers
The purpose of this 2-day management/planning level course is to provide the operational-level details to support many of the topics covered in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved AWR 148: Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents – Partnering Rural Law Enforcement and the Local School Systems awareness-level course. Rural schools, law enforcement, other emergency responders, and community stakeholders are often limited in their access to resources, so it is imperative that all potentially affected parties collaborate in planning, preparation, communication, response, and recovery in the event of a school-based incident. Moreover, these affected parties must come together to practice their interoperable skills through drills and exercises to ensure the strategies in place provide for effective crisis response and collaborative recovery. With the intent of building upon the foundation of the AWR 148 course and utilizing an all-hazards approach, this two-day course will provide content instruction, develop concept-specific skills, and provide opportunities for law enforcement, school personnel, and community stakeholders to collaboratively apply the course objectives in scenario-based applications.
LOCATION: Town of Barre Municipal Building, Websterville, VT
DATE/TIME: May 23, 2024, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. & May 24, 2024, 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION: Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC)
June 2024
State Emergency Operation Center Orientation
The purpose of this training is to provide an overview of the State Emergency Operations Center. This course is ONLY available to those who staff the Vermont State Emergency Operations Center.
LOCATION: DPS Headquarters, Waterbury, VT
DATE/TIME: June 4, 2024, 1:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
PREREQUISITES: ICS-100 and WebEOC Sate User Training
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
Mental Health First Aid Training
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.
LOCATION: Hybrid- It will be virtual and at DPS Headquarters, Waterbury, VT
DATE/TIME: June 5, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
July 2024
PER -275: Law Enforcement Active Shooter Response
Terrorism involving active shooter attacks on population centers has become part of law enforcement officers’ awareness; however, increased awareness of a problem does not ensure preparedness or appropriate response tactics. This course addresses technical aspects of planning and implementing a rapid law enforcement deployment to an active shooter incident through classroom presentations, hands-on performance-based field training, and scenario-based practical exercises.
LOCATION: Hartford Memorial Middle School, White River Junction, VT
DATE/TIME: July 9-11, 2024, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. each day
REGISTRATION: required Louisiana State University National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (LSU NCBRT) Access Code: NCBRT275
This is for LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY
L0146 Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) course provides a comprehensive overview of exercise design along with practical skill development. Using the same terminology and processes, this course will provide activities that will give participants an opportunity to interact with many of the templates and other materials that are provided by the National Exercise Division to ensure exercises are conducted in a consistent manner. Anyone who will be a member of an exercise design team or fulfill a role in one of the following areas of the exercise design process: design, development, conduct, evaluation, or improvement process for exercise. The primary audience for the course is training officers, exercise managers, persons who will utilize the exercise and evaluation system, and persons interested in becoming an HSEEP Evaluator for Vermont Emergency Management.
LOCATION: DPS Headquarters, Waterbury, VT
DATE/TIME: July 23-24, 2024, 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
PREREQUISITES: IS-120
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
August 2024
ICS 400- Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff
This course provides training for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). This course expands upon information covered in ICS 100 through ICS 300 courses, which are prerequisites for the ICS 400 course.
LOCATION: Norwich Fire Department- Norwich, VT
DATE/TIME: August 6-7, 2024, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day
PREREQUISITES: ICS-100, ICS- 200 and ICS- 300
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
G0191- ICS/EOC Interface
This course provides an opportunity for participants to begin developing an effective interface between the Incident Command System (ICS) and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for their community by applying Incident Command System (ICS) principles. This course reviews ICS and EOC responsibilities and functions and depends heavily on exercises and group discussions to identify interface issues and develop solutions. As part of the course, these concepts are then applied to exercise situations.
LOCATION: Manchester Community Library, Manchester, VT
DATE/TIME: August 13, 2024, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
PREREQUISITES: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
VT- Alert Manager Training
This training is intended for Town Officials who use VT-Alert for public notifications. This class is required for all people who will be using the program at the manager level. This training can also act as a refresher as needed. The class will be approximately 1.5 hours long and consist of sending live test alerts. A computer and internet connection are required. A second computer monitor is highly suggested as there is a follow along portion to the class. Prior to the training please confirm that your town has the required VT-Alert adoption paperwork. If you are unsure please contact dps.vtalert@vermont.gov
LOCATION: Virtual
DATE/TIME: August 14, 2024, 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
L0449- Incident Command System Curricula Train-the-Trainer
This course expands and improves students’ ability to deliver National Incident Management System (NIMS) curricula. Students are provided training on the delivery of:
•ICS-100: Introduction to the ICS
•ICS-200: Basic ICS for Initial Response
•ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
•ICS-400: Advanced ICS for Complex Incidents
•G0402: NIMS Overview for Executives and Senior Officials
•E/L/G0191: Emergency Operations Center/ICS Interface
Emphasis is placed on classroom-based deliveries. This includes compliance with the NIMS Training Program, adult education methodologies, deployment of course activities, pre- and post-testing, and ICS training program management.
LOCATION: Regional Response Coordination Center, Maynard, MA
DATE/TIME: August 19- 23, 2024, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. each day
PREREQUISITES:
•IS-100 – Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100
•IS-200 – Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200
•E/L0300 – Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents, ICS-300 - Certificate dated June 2019 or later
•E/L0400 – Advanced Incident Command System for Complex Incidents, ICS-400 - Certificate dated June 2019 or later
•IS-700 – An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
•IS-800 – National Response Framework, An Introduction
•E/L/G0191 – Emergency Operations Center/ICS Interface - Certificate dated June 2019 or later
Formal instructor training is required. Below are examples of formal training. Other equivalent courses will be considered.
•M-410, National Wildfire Coordinating Group Facilitative Instructor
•Fire Instructor 1 & 2
•College, Private Industry
•E0141, Instructional Presentation and Evaluation Skills
•Center for Domestic Preparedness Instructor Course
•Valid teaching certificate or equivalent
REGISTRATION: State Training Officer Hillarie Scott will pre-screen all applicants based upon the above target audience and their completion of the courses found in the above prerequisites.
ICS 300- Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
This course focuses on the management of expanding incidents and is intended for those who will be serving in the following positions: command staff, section chiefs, strike team leaders, unit leaders, division and group supervisors, branch directors, multi-agency coordination system staff, and Emergency Operations Center staff. This course is for middle management, strike team leaders, task force leaders, unit leaders, division and group supervisors, branch directors, and Emergency Operations Center staff.
LOCATION: DPS Headquarters- Waterbury, VT
DATE/TIME: August 20-22, 2024, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day
PREREQUISITES: ICS-100 and ICS-200
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
September 2024
2024 Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference
LOCATION: Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT
DATE/TIME: September 10-11, 2024
https://vem.vermont.gov/conference
November 2024
L0146 Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) course provides a comprehensive overview of exercise design along with practical skill development. Using the same terminology and processes, this course will provide activities that will give participants an opportunity to interact with many of the templates and other materials that are provided by the National Exercise Division to ensure exercises are conducted in a consistent manner. Anyone who will be a member of an exercise design team or fulfill a role in one of the following areas of the exercise design process: design, development, conduct, evaluation or improvement process for exercise. The primary audience for the course is training officers, exercise managers, persons that will utilize the exercise and evaluation system and persons interested in becoming an HSEEP Evaluator for Vermont Emergency Management.
LOCATION: DCF Office, Brattleboro, VT
DATE/TIME: November 12-13, 2024, 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
PREREQUISITES: IS-120
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System