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Vermont Emergency Management May, 2023 Newsletter

VEM News

May, 2023
Volume 17 Issue 5

**Best viewed on a computer browser or horizontally if you are on a smart phone**

Local Emergency Managment Plans Due May 1st - Still Being Accepted

Each year between town meeting day and May 1st, every city and town in Vermont is required to adopt and submit a Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) to Vermont Emergency Management. This plan serves as the city or town’s guidebook for preparing for and responding to emergencies in their community. If you aren’t sure if you have a currently plan on file, please visit the Flood Ready Vermont website and search by your municipality.

If your community hasn’t submitted its annual LEMP yet, it should be completed and submitted as soon as possible. Templates are available on the VEM website, but cities and towns are welcome to submit their plan in any format as long as it contains the required information listed on the municipal adoption form. Questions can be directed to local Regional Planning Commissions, Emergency Management staff member, or Vermont Emergency Management Regional Coordinator.

Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Review Tool Updates

As of April 19th, 2023, all Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs) must meet the requirements of an updated Plan Review Tool. If your LHMP update was close to completion at the time of policy guidance changes, please submit your plan to VEM for review and direction on needed revisions. Major updates include:

  • Emphasizing the forward-looking purpose of mitigation planning, planning for future conditions, including climate change, and integration with community land use planning. 
  • Basing the hazard assessment on lack of risk and ensuring every hazard that can impact the community is addressed in the mitigation strategy. 
  • Centering equity in the mitigation plan to help ensure an inclusive planning process that benefits the whole community. 
  • Aligning with FEMA priorities such as resilience, capability and capacity building, community lifelines, and promotion of building codes. 
  • Incorporating requirements from new authorities, policies, and programs, such as High-Hazard Potential Dams, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post-Fire as well as strengthened connection with regulatory requirements for Fire Management Assistance Grants and the National Flood Insurance Program. 

For guidance resources please visit https://vem.vermont.gov/hm-planning-resources or email Hazard Mitigation Planner, Caroline Paske, at caroline.paske@vermont.gov

Montpelier, Berlin Recognized for Flood Prevention Efforts

The City of Montpelier and the Town of Berlin were recognized recently by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating Systems. These two Vermont communities were recognized for taking extra steps to reduce flood damage by providing discounts on flood insurance premiums. 

Representatives from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Rivers Program and Vermont Emergency Management met with municipal officials in Montpelier and Berlin to present the plaques and recognize their hard work.

To learn more about floodplain protection and flood insurance, visit https://floodready.vermont.gov/.

Three people posing with a flood prevention award for the town of Berlin, Vermont


Training

May 2023

ICS-402- ICS Summary for Executives - Virtual
May 11, 2023, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Registration required via the State Learning Management System: https://vermont.csod.com/

ICS 400- Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff – In Person
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission- Winooski, VT
May 16-17, 2023, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day
Prerequisite: ICS-300
Registration required via State Learning Management System: https://vermont.csod.com/

June 2023

PER- 344 Social Media Tools and Techniques- Virtual
June 6, 2023- June 7, 2023, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. each day
Must attend both sessions to receive credit
Registration required via University of Hawaii: https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/3265/
Code 03216

PER- 343 Social Media Engagement Strategies- Virtual
June 13, 2023- June 14, 2023, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. each day
Must attend both sessions to receive credit
Registration required via University of Hawaii: https://ndptc.hawaii.edu/training/delivery/3266/
Code 81439

July 2023

ICS 300- Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents – In Person
Milton Fire Department- Milton, VT
July 18-20, 2023, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day
Prerequisite: ICS-100 and ICS- 200
Registration required via State Learning Management System: https://vermont.csod.com/

August 2023

SEOC Orientation- In Person
DPS – Headquarters- Waterbury
August 15, 2023, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Prerequisite: IS-100
Must be on the SEOC Roster
Registration required via State Learning Management System: https://vermont.csod.com/ 

September 2023

G0191 – ICS/EOC Interface – In Person
Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department, Grand Isle, VT
September 7, 2023, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Prerequisite: IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800
Registration required via the State Learning Management System: https://vermont.csod.com/

Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference
Burke Mountain Hotel & Conference Center
September 20-21, 2023
Registration details to come

October 2023

L0146 Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program (HSEEP) - In Person
Londonderry Rescue Squad, Londonderry, VT 
October 4-5, 2023, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day
Prerequisite: IS-120
Must attend all sessions to receive credit.
Registration required via the State Learning Management System: https://vermont.csod.com/