TOP STORIES

Social networks set tone for community information during LA fires
November 17 '08: As wildfires destroy homes in Southern California, social networking sites have been used by community first responders and citizens to spread important information, updates and maps in real-time. The fires have burned more than 1,000 homes, forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate and have claimed over 20,000 acres in the past four days, Reuters reported. CNN reported Monday that at least one of the fires has been linked to human activity.

Researchers announcement advancements in disaster communications
November 10 '08: Researchers working on disaster response communication technologies have announced new advancements in understanding how radio frequencies behave in difficult areas such as collapsed buildings, mine shafts and tunnels, CNN reported. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology told the cable news channel that a "sweet spot" frequency has been found which allows radio communication to travel the farthest.

State and local governments to get federal information sharing guideline suggestions
November 3 '08: According to Washington Technology, the federal government is making preparations for the release of updated information sharing guidelines for state and local governments to help "achieve baseline capabilities necessary to share terrorism and law enforcement data." The guideline suggestions, which include increased partnership and participation with the private sector, will be published in a report titled "Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers."

Breaking NEWS

New compact disaster shelter ... A startup in San Francisco is designing what it calls the "Life Cube" which when compact measures four-feet-tall but can expand into a 12-feet-tall structure complete with the tools and supplies needed for those using the shelter to survive for extended periods of time... read more>>

Rescue team trains to help animals in Kansas ... In Kansas, emergency responders are training with the Kansas State Animal Response Team which was formed four years' ago to help pets during and after a disaster... read more>>

New policy guidelines for FEMA trailers ... FEMA has updated its hurricane policies for the 2008 season. The new policy changes effect the agency's emergency trailer guidelines for state and local government issues as well as for residents who will need them... read more>>

Iowa community begins recovery after devastating tornado ... Residents in one Iowan community are trying to recover from devastating tornadoes which flattened homes and farms. In one town along, more than 222 homes were destroyed... read more>>

Tornado in Colorado kills one ... A freak tornado plowed through a town about 80 miles north of Denver killing one person while the same storm spawned golfball-sized hail... read more>>

Wildfires in CA prompt evacuations ... Hundreds of residents in California have been evacuated after wildfires were ignited along the central Californian mountains. About 1,400 homes were under evacuation orders... read more>>

Military junta allows disaster aid into country ... The military junta in Myanmar has announced it will let all waiting foreign disaster aid groups into the country after a "breakthrough" meeting between the Burmese government and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon... read more>>

Stadiums as shelters in China ... Chinese government officials in Chengdu are trying to cope with the estimated 5 million people who are without shelter after the devastating earthquake and its aftershocks by using stadium as shelters... read more>>

Death toll now 78,000 in Myanmar ... The official death count in Myanmar is now 78,000 with about 56,000 more people missing. The government is still severely restricting access to the country's affected by international aid groups... read more>>

Dams are weakened by quakes in China ... Chinese officials are monitoring damage to more than 400 dams in the Sichuan Province. The fear is that the recent large earthquake has weakened the infrastructure putting even more communities at risk should the dams brake... read more>>

Earthlink shuts down Philly WiFi ... Earthlink announced that it will suspend its wireless Internet network in Philadelphia because it could not find a buyer for the $17 million communications infrastructure... read more>>

Death toll in China continues to rise ... The death toll in China continues to rise as more victims of the worst earthquake to hit the country in 30 years are found... read more>>

Death toll in Myanmar rises ... The death toll in Myanmar has risen to about 32,000 while American relief supplies are being airlifted into the country according to officials. Health officials are worried about disease setting in the displaced and affected populations... read more>>

Temblor in China kills thousands ... A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck central China killing at least 8,500 people, though the death toll is expected to rise according to state-run news agencies... read more>>

Myanmar government blocks food aid ... The United Nations initially has ceased its food relief operations to Myanmar after the military junta government refused to allow UN disaster representatives to distribute supplies to disaster victims. However, officials have now said they will resume the food deliveries... read more>>
Other NEWS

Report finds nonprofits underprepared in DC area
October 27 '08: In a report that is being considered a first of its kind for the DC area, the Washington Post reported a new collaboration between the Nonprofit Roundtable and Deloitte to look at the ability of nonprofit groups to coordinate and respond to a disaster.

Disaster response accountability group
October 17 '08: Thanks to John Solomon over at Incaseofemergencyblog.com for the tip regarding the Disaster Accountability Project and its article in the Natural Hazards Observer which appeared in last month's edition. DAP, begun in August 2007, was established to help improve the national disaster response framework through citizen oversight, research, whistle-blower engagement, and policy research, the website read.

International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Day
October 14 '08: Last week, October 8, the United Nations observed the International Day for Disaster Reduction. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said recent disasters such as Cyclone Nargis and the Wenchuan Earthquake have pushed highlighted the imperative for international disaster response initiatives and partnership for local, state and international communities and governments.

Hurricane Ike wrap-up
It has been one month since the formation of Hurricane Ike, the ninth named storm of the 2008 hurricane season. Since the storm hit the Texas coast, more than 300 people are still missing while the storm claimed 67 lives, and could end up costing close to $22 billion officials said. The storm also was responsible for high winds and rain in the interior parts of the country, causing power outages, flooding and gas shortages in the Midwest and Southeastern US.

Hurricane Ike heads toward Houston
September 12 '08: Category 2 Hurricane Ike is heading toward the Houston/Galveston communities and is already flooding the streets of Galveston which "forecasters warned could reach up to 22 feet and bring 'certain death' to anyone who remained in Galveston Bay homes," CNN reported. Galveston has been known for its hurricane response partnerships to aid with evacuation, special needs care and recovery operations.

Myspace and DHS announce hurricane awareness partnership
September 5 '08: As Tropical Storm Hanna heads toward the East Coast, federal emergency officials have announced a new partnership to spread information to the more web-focused populations who could be affected by severe weather. Agence France-Presse reported that officials at the Department of Homeland Security have partnered with the creators of Myspace to develop a widget that can link users to information about hurricanes, flooding, severe weather or other emergency alerts.

As Gustav heads toward Gulf Coast, partnerships help to build information portals for community members and response organizations
August 29 '08: State and local officials in Louisiana and other Gulf Coast states have begun to make preparations for Hurricane Gustav as it begins to strengthen into a hurricane. In New Orleans, city officials have begun to make evacuation preparations on the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the Associated Press reported. And in Louisiana, the Getagameplan.org website, the product of a partnership between the United Way, the American Red Cross, the State of Louisiana and the Governor's Office of Louisiana, is live with up-to-date information for those preparing for the storm.