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General Security and Resilience

Former FEMA Administrator Discusses Climate Resilience and Reducing Risks and Costs

In written testimony provided to the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate discusses the topic of climate resiliency and steps that need to be taken to reduce the risks and costs of making communities more resilient. Fugate notes the federal government already spends billions of dollars annually to deal with the effects of climate change and extreme weather while not spending enough to combat future risk (according to figures cited by Fugate, since 2005 federal funding for disaster assistance is about $430 billion).

FBI Releases 2018 Crime Data

The FBI has released data on nearly 6.6 million criminal offenses reported in 2018, presenting information on types of crimes, victims, and offenders, among other details. The information is presented in aggregate in a series of tables and downloadable files, allowing users to review the data by location and other criteria. In addition to the tables and files, the FBI’s complementary Crime Data Explorer allows users to build customized tables and to view information by state.

Flu Cases Growing Fast

In its latest weekly report of nationwide flu activity, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes a continued increase in the number of cases. The CDC notes the observed flu has appeared in all 50 states and that 10 states are experiencing “widespread” flu activity: Alabama, Alaska, California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. “Widespread” means that at least half the regions in each of these states reported either influenza outbreaks or increases in the number of flu-like illnesses during that week.

Updated FEMA Core Capability Development Sheets for Emergency Managers and Practitioners

FEMA has released an updated set of 48 Core Capability Development sheets that can be of assistance to emergency managers and practitioners as they build and improve their programs. They are organized by each of FEMA’s five mission areas – prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery – and provide information and resources regarding the capabilities that are essential to each area.

Annual FEMA Report Examines Nation’s Preparedness Capabilities

FEMA has just released its 2019 National Preparedness Report, which is intended to evaluate progress towards preparedness for the diverse range of challenges the U.S. faces, including terrorism and active shooter incidents, cyber attacks, and natural disasters. It presents findings regarding preparedness successes and challenges across FEMA’s five mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.

NOAA Reflects on 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Notes Stretch of Above-Normal Seasons Continues

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has published a review of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ended on November 30. NOAA observes that this was the fourth consecutive season of above-normal hurricane activity, with a total of 18 named storms, including six hurricanes of which three were major (strength of Category 3 and above). An average season has 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. With the hurricane season officially at an end, NOAA notes its forecast for 2019 proved to be accurate.

Adapting to Extreme Weather Events – Recording from EPA Webinar

The EPA has made available the recording from a webinar it held on November 13, 2019 entitled, “Adapting to Extreme Weather Events.” The webinar provided drinking water, wastewater and stormwater utilities with practical tools, training, and technical assistance needed to increase resilience to extreme weather events. Lindsey Hallock, director of public and environmental policy for Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, shared how she has implemented adaptation strategies at her utility.

FEMA Accepting Applications for Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program Until January 30, 2020

For this year, FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program is funded at the unprecedented level of $250 million. Does your water utility have a mitigation project in mind, but has not pursued it because you lack funding? Is your mitigation project cost effective and is your utility included in the local hazard mitigation plan? If so, learn about PDM and submit your grant application by the deadline of January 30, 2020.

Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month, Week 4 – Combatting Insider Threats

The theme for the fourth and final week of Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month is “Secure from the inside out: Combatting insider threats.” The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has included a section on insider threats in its Infrastructure Security Month Toolkit, which discusses the issue and provides some tips and resources to help.

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