November, 2024
Volume 18 Issue 11
**Best viewed on a computer browser or horizontally if you are on a smartphone**
Binary Blizzard Exercise
A historic blizzard brings Vermont to a standstill, tens of thousands of homes are without power, and a cyber-attack then hits Vermont’s utilities. It’s only an exercise.
Vermont Emergency Management recently conducted a tabletop exercise that simulated a four-foot snowfall, massive power outages, and a cyber-attack that hampers utilities' ability to restore service. The scenario presented a weeks-long response to an extreme situation.
More than 170 participants, representing those involved in local, state, and federal response, participated in the discussion-based tabletop exercise in nine locations. The extreme nature of the simulation tested plans and identified areas for improvement at all levels.
The tabletop exercise was a precursor to a similar full-scale exercise in the fall of 2025. Municipalities or response organizations that would like to participate in that exercise should contact Julie Benedict at Vermont Emergency Management at Julie.benedict@vermont.gov.
Federal Cost Share for Public Infrastructure July 2023 Damage Increasing
Local communities rebuilding after the July 7-21, 2023 funds have had their cost-share cut significantly. President Joseph Biden recently authorized an increase of the federal cost share for FEMA Public Assistance projects from 75 to 90 percent for recovery projects for the July 2023 flooding.
The state and local share is 10 percent, with the state covering 78 percent of the non-federal share. That means towns will be responsible for only 2.2 percent of all eligible response and recovery costs.
DPS Finance will be reaching out to communities in the coming weeks to arrange for additional reimbursements under this beneficial change.
Details on disaster DR-4720 can be found on the FEMA website.
Save the Date - Spring Flood Q&A Session February 13
Each year, VEM provides information on potential hazards and resources available to communities during the spring flood season. At the end of January 2025, those videos will be posted to the VEM YouTube channel.
VEM will then host a live Q&A session on February 13th in an online Teams meeting to provide the latest spring flood outlook from the National Weather Service and answer additional questions about the season and resources. That session will take place from noon to 1 p.m.
Details on the Q&A session will be provided in the February newsletter. Additional details on the videos will be provided in the January newsletter.
Questions can be directed to DPS.EMHSTraining@vermont.gov
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The application period for State Homeland Security Grant Program Reallocation grants is now open. All applications and supporting documentation must be received by the Homeland Security Unit at DPS.HSUGrants@vermont.gov by Friday, December 6th at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Information on the grants and all application materials
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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
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
Vermont Local Emergency Management Director Course
This course will familiarize Local Emergency Management Directors (EMD) and Coordinators (EMC) with major roles, responsibilities, and “how to do it” guidance, across all four phases of Emergency Management.
LOCATION: Virtual
DATE/TIME:
Day 1: November 19, 2024, 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Day 2: November 20, 2024, 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Must attend both days to receive credit.
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: November 20, 2024, 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
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: November 26, 2024, 1:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
PREREQUISITES: ICS-100 and WebEOC Sate User Training
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
December 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: DPS Headquarters- Waterbury, VT
DATE/TIME: December 4-5, 2024, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day
PREREQUISITES: ICS-100, ICS- 200 and ICS- 300
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
PER 213- Wide Search Area
When disaster strikes it can be a challenge to effectively mobilize, organize, and deploy resources needed to perform search and rescue operations. The purpose of this course is to prepare participants to support a large search and rescue incident in a variety of roles ranging from searchers in the field, planning and support staff, and incident command. While built around the model of a large search and rescue event following a disaster, the course content applies to a vast number of critical situations including missing persons searches, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, and other scenarios.
LOCATION: Vermont Fire Academy, Pittsford, VT
DATE/TIME: December 10-12, 2024, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
PREREQUISITES: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800
REGISTRATION: TEEX
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: St. Albans Town Office, St. Albans, VT
DATE/TIME: December 11, 2024, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
PREREQUISITES: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
January 2025
ICS 300- Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
This course focuses on 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, Emergency Operations Center staff.
LOCATION: Camp Johnson- Colchester, VT
DATE/TIME: January 10-12, 2025, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day
PREREQUISITES: ICS-100 and ICS- 200
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
February 2025
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: February 6, 2025, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION: State Learning Management System
*This is for people within the state of Vermont.