Colorado Division of Emergency Management

Are you Wildfire Ready?

2012-05-24T17:06:00.000-06:00

The Colorado Division of Emergency Management has partnered with Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA), CBS 4News, fire officials and insurance partners on a Wildfire Ready campaign. Visit http://denver.cbslocal.com/content-vertical/wildfire-ready/ to learn how to be Wildfire Ready.

Colorado SAHAC Website

2012-05-24T12:44:00.001-06:00

A new website has been established for the Colorado State All-Hazards Advisory Committee (SAHAC). The address for the new site is http://coloradosahac.blogspot.com/.

Hewlett Fire Update

2012-05-23T10:46:00.000-06:00

Daily Wildfire Update from Colorado State Forest Service

The Hewlett Fire is now 100 percent contained. A Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) team has begun gathering information and conducting field observations to determine what steps to take on the burn area.

DEM Weekly Update May 22

2012-05-22T16:09:00.002-06:00

Colorado Division of Emergency Management Weekly Update ~ May 22, 2012

Items included this week include:

Transition Update
Kudos
Smoke Alarm Recycling or Disposal
PIOs Needed for Operation Vortex
Job Opening
State leagues and the Nationwide Safety Broadband Network
Summit County's Ready, Set, Go! A Wildland Fire Action Planning Event
Indian nations Emergency Management Conference
The Colorado Briefing: A National School Safety Leadership Symposium at Columbine
Resource Network for Anyone Providing Safety Education
Denver CERT: Disaster Preparedness Response Training
One Year Anniversary of Joplin Tornado
Training Information

Contact Micki Trost, DEM PIO, with any questions or to share information in next week's update at micki.trost@state.co.us.

The Colorado Briefing: A National School Safety Leadership Symposium

2012-05-21T17:03:00.001-06:00

On behalf of The "I Love U Guys" Foundation, The Jefferson County School District and Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, I am inviting you and your colleagues to The Colorado Briefing: A National School Safety Leadership Symposium.

When: June 25-27, 2012

Where: Columbine High School, 6201 S. Pierce St., Littleton, CO 80123

What: Targeted for law enforcement, school administrators, faculty, safety teams and other first responders, the symposium is designed to deliver a number of takeaways that districts, departments and agencies can implement immediately.

Speakers include school safety stakeholders and professionals ranging from school administrators and teachers to first responders, criminal justice and psychology professionals, all of whom were involved in the response and/or recovery of one or more of the Colorado school shootings.

In a total of 12 presentations and four panel discussions, attendees will learn how best practices for school safety are changing, the challenges that face school administrators after a violent event, some trauma reduction techniques and more. Some of the topics to be covered have been publicly discussed rarely or not at all, making this an extremely unique opportunity for the audience.

People can learn more, and register at www.coloradobriefing.org or download The Colorado Briefing flyer.

If the attendance fee is prohibitive, interested people may call They "I Love U Guys" Foundation office and request a rate reduction. The primary goal of the hosting organizations is to share this information with as many people as possible.

Thank you!

Ellen Stoddard-Keyes

The "I Love U Guys" Foundation

Office: 303-838-1188

Mobile: 303-902-2392

http://www.iloveuguys.org

Managing Spontaneous Volunteers: Lessons learned from Decent Disasters Workshop Presentations

2012-05-21T16:57:00.002-06:00

On May 15, 2012 the Managing Spontaneous Volunteers: Lessons Learned from Recent Disasters Workshop was held in Colorado. The three presentations are available here for viewing or for download:

Brushy Mountain Fire Update

2012-05-15T14:19:00.002-06:00

http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2gjc/

Brushy Mountain Fire Update

Contacts: Lee Ann Loupe, Fire Information Officer, 970.874.6717; cell: 970.596.0246

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grand Junction, CO (May 15, 2012) – Firefighters continue to work toward containment of the Brushy Mountain Fire. The fire has grown to approximately 170 acres in size and is about 80% contained. Full containment is estimated for Friday, May 18, pending weather and burning conditions. A “Type 3 Incident Management Team” lead by Incident Commander Jeff Phillips is managing the fire and the resources working it. Fire officials say communications to and from the fire are difficult, as it is located in a fairly remote area and there is no cell phone coverage.

The fire is burning between Delta and Whitewater (Colorado) at the bottom of the North Fork of the Escalante Creek and north of Forest Road #421. No homes or structures are nearby, or threatened. A total of 56 persons are assigned to the fire and this includes two engines, a fire crew and various overhead (team) members. A helicopter has been assisting as well.

The Brushy Mountain Fire began on Friday, May 11 on private land in the area and was caused by a lightning strike. The fire burned onto National Forest System Lands on the Uncompahgre Plateau.. Weather forecasts call for a dry, cold front with gusty wind over the next few days. Fire officials will continue to monitor the conditions and work toward containment and control of the fire.

Members of the public are cautioned that ground and vegetation conditions are dry and local winds and the lack of moisture make for conditions that are ripe for wildfire. Please be careful.

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Larimer County Emergency Information Link

2012-05-15T13:28:00.000-06:00

Visit Larimer County's Emergency Information webpage for updates on the Hewlett Fire as well as safety and preparedness information. The website is http://www.co.larimer.co.us/emergency/.

There is also a RSS feed on the upper right hand corner of the Emergency Information page that allows you to subscribe to email updates.

DEM Weekly Update ~ May 14, 2012

2012-05-14T12:45:00.003-06:00

Division of Emergency Management Weekly Update ~ May 14, 2012

Topics covered this week include:

Transition Committee Information
Kudos to Patricia Gavelda, DEM
CSEPP Annual Meeting
Public Comment Opportunity Extended to June 7
IT Tip: Selecting Excel Data Ranges
Denver CERT Program
Social Media Pulls Communities Together
Hayman Fire Science Symposium
Interactive CPR and AED Website
Training Information and Opportunities

If you would like to share a resource or information, please send it to Micki Trost at micki.trost@state.co.us.

Wildfire Education Video by South Metro Fire Rescue

2012-05-09T16:16:00.000-06:00

Juniper trees are "little green gas cans" that could ignite your home in a wildfire. Watch this short video to learn more about how to protect your property before wildfire threatens. Video provided by South Metro Fire Rescue.

Arson Awareness Week: May 6-12

2012-05-08T16:44:00.000-06:00

2012 Focus is Preventing Youth Firesetting

Information obtained from USFA regarding their 2012 Campaign.

During the month of May, USFA will focus public attention on the importance of a collaborative effort with fire and emergency service departments, law enforcement, mental health, social services, schools, and juvenile justice to help reduce the occurrence of juveniles engaged with fire.

Did You Know?

Fires started by children playing accounted for an average of 56,300 fires with associated losses of 110 civilian deaths, 880 civilian injuries, and $286 million in direct property damage per year between 2005 and 2009.
Younger children are more likely to set fires in homes, while older children and teenagers are more likely to set fires outside.
Lighters were the heat source in half (50 percent) of child-playing fires in homes.

Prevention Tips

Never leave matches or lighters within reach of children. Keep matches and lighters out of reach in high, locked cabinets.
Praise your child for practicing responsible behavior and showing respect for fire.
Set a good example; use matches, lighters, and fire carefully, as children will imitate positive behavior.

For More Information

For information on Arson Awareness Week and youth firesetter prevention, visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov/aaw/

Public Comment for Proposed Cheyenne Military Operations Area Modification

2012-05-08T15:18:00.000-06:00

On May 1, a 30-day public review and comment period began for the Cheyenne military operations area modification draft environmental assessment and draft finding of no significant impact.

This airspace proposal will raise the flight floor in the existing Cheyenne military operations area from 300 to 500 feet above ground level, decreasing noise impacts on the ground in areas that underlie the current training airspace.

Through consultation with Native American tribes, the Colorado Air National Guard has agreed to maintain a 5-nautical mile radius buffer around the center of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historical Site, Colo., with a flight floor of 5,000 feet above ground level.

The training airspace is also expanding into Kansas, decreasing density of military aircraft in the military operations area.

Colorado Air National Guard F-16 pilots from the 140th Wing based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colo., require a larger local airspace where they can realistically train for homeland defense and overseas missions and threats before they’re put in harm’s way.

If any questions arise about this proposal, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 720-250-1053 and ask to speak to Capt Darin Overstreet.

Here is a link to our website where the public can download all of the pertinent documents including a map of the proposed modification:

http://co.ng.mil/public/Environmental%20Assessments/Forms/AllItems.aspx <http://co.ng.mil/public/Environmental%20Assessments/Forms/AllItems.aspx>

Information posted at the request of Maj Elena O'Bryan,State Public Affairs Officer,Colorado National Guard.

DEM Weekly Update ~ May 7

2012-05-07T16:23:00.002-06:00

Division of Emergency Management Weekly Update ~ May 7, 2012

Topics included in the Weekly Update include:

House Bill 1283 and Proposed DEM Changes Update
County Website Links on COEmergency
Proposed Cheyenne Military Operations Area Modification Public Comment
Kudos for Bob Wold and Victoria Smith
Colorado Awareness Weeks for 2012
Community Preparedness Series
Wildfire Video from South Metro Fire Rescue
Arson Awareness Week: Prevent Youth Firesetting
Public Information Officer and Social Media Resource
Routt County Office of Emergency Management Newsletter
Training Information

If you would like to include an article or information in the Weekly Update email Micki.Trost@state.co.us.

Statewide Resource Status and Ordering System Meeting

2012-05-04T16:10:00.001-06:00

May 8, 2012: Meeting/Conference Call Scheduled for Emergency Managers and Staff

Colorado Emergency Managers are invited to attend a meeting on the Statewide Resource Status and Ordering System. The meeting is Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm at the Boulder EOC facility located at 3280 Airport Road, Boulder, CO 80301 or via this HSIN Connect on line meeting room. Contact Micki Trost by email at micki.trost@state.co.us for the conference line information. An email was sent to Emergency Managers with the conference call information.

The aim of the meeting is to develop the business rules for operating a Statewide Resource Status and Ordering system. We will demonstrate the WebEOC based system and process and jointly develop the ways we as a community want to use it.

We understand this is short notice but would like as many as can take part to do so. We will have other meetings and forums to gain the greatest participation possible.

Please join us for as much of the working session as you can. We want to hear your thoughts as we all determine how to operate this system.

Several Training Courses Added

2012-05-03T17:01:00.001-06:00

New Courses Added to Training Page

Several new courses have been added to the Training page today. Please check to see if there is a course you need or have been interested in attending. The new courses cover a wide variety of topics.

Several of the courses posted today are Incident Command System courses. Here is a list of some of the new dates:

ICS300 Intermediate Incident Command System

May 12-13, 2012 in Blackhawk.
May 12-13, 2012 in Lamar.
May 19-20 in Cheyenne Wells
June 7-8, 2012 in Evergreen.

ICS400 Advance Incident Command System

May 19-20, 2012 in Blackhawk.
June 9-10, 2012 in Ordway.
June 9-10, 2012 in Cheyenne Wells.

NIMS Compliance Assistance Support Tool Update

2012-05-03T16:37:00.001-06:00

NIMS Compliance Assistance Support Tool (NIMSCAST) Update

The purpose of this NIMS Alert is to announce the release of the National Incident Management System Compliance Assistance Support Tool (NIMSCAST), version 4.00.15. This version of the NIMSCAST provides enhanced security features, improved e-mail function, and adds the FY 2012 NIMS implementation assessment for local, State, Territory, and Tribal governments. Additionally, the NIMSCAST homepage (www.fema.gov/nimscast) now features an updated NIMSCAST User Guide. This guide includes improved step-by-step instructions, additional guidance on using available reports, and an updated glossary.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5 requires that all Federal departments and agencies make adoption of NIMS by local, State, Territorial, and Tribal organizations a condition to receive Federal Preparedness Grant Awards. To that end, FEMA’s National Integration Center (NIC) developed NIMSCAST as a no-cost self-assessment instrument for local, State, Territory, and Tribal governments to evaluate and report on their respective implementation of NIMS. Implementation progress data, as reported through NIMSCAST, is taken into consideration when allocating grant funds.

For additional information on NIMS, NIMS implementation, or NIMSCAST contact the NIC at 202-646-3850 or via e-mail: FEMA-NIMS@dhs.gov.

EXERCISE -- EXERCISE -- EXERCISE

2012-05-02T09:35:00.001-06:00

EXERCISE -- EXERCISE -- EXERCISE

Today, the Colorado Division of Emergency Management will be participating in an annual Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) exercise.

State EOC Status

2012-04-27T15:21:00.000-06:00

The State Emergency Operations Center is no longer activated. The Colorado Division of Emergency Management Field Manager remains in direct contact with Kiowa County, Bent County and Prowers County to provide assistance as requested.

#COwx
#Tornado

Update on Southeast Colorado Tornadoes

2012-04-27T15:18:00.001-06:00

CDEM Situation Report #2: Southeast Colorado Tornadoes

Kiowa County:

6 Structures impacted: 4 Destroyed, 1 Major, 1 Affected – Damage assessment to agricultural equipment outbuilding on-going, currently reported 2 irrigation pivot sprinklers.
Sheltering: None at this time. An agreement was made with the local motel to provide rooms if needed. American Red Cross is enroute to assist with two families.
Injuries: 1 Transported to hospital and later released, minor injuries only.
Resource Requests: Request for 1 PIO to assist Kiowa County. No additional state assistance requested at this time.
Infrastructure Impacts: Power- Currently Eads is back on-line. Haswell, Chivington, Brandon and Sheridan Lake area by late tonight. Water / Wastewater facilities no impacts reported at this time from Kiowa County.
Media Contact number: 720-432-3411.

Bent County

3 Structures impacted: 1 Major and 2 Minor. Damage assessment to agricultural equipment outbuilding on-going, currently 1 irrigation pivot sprinkler, 1 grain bin and farm workshop.
Sheltering: None at this time.
Resource Requests: No state assistance requested.
Infrastructure Impacts: Power- Currently power is out in Hasty / McClave area no estimated time of restoration at this time. Water / Wastewater facilities no impacts reported at this time from Bent County.

Prowers County

4 Structures impacted: 2 Destroyed, 1 Major and 1 Affected. Damage assessment to agricultural equipment outbuilding on-going, currently reported 2 irrigation pivot sprinklers.
Sheltering: None at this time.
Pig Farm south of Lamar west of Highway 287 is reporting 18 buildings destroyed on the farm. The buildings were not occupied with any swine at the time.
Injuries: 2 people injured transported to Prowers Medical Center, treated and later released.
Resource Requests: American Red Cross is sending a mobile feeding kitchen to the Prowers County EOC. No other assistance requested at this time.
Media Contact is Marshall Cook, Lamar Fire & Ambulance at 719-336-4321.

Infrastructure Impacts

Currently power is out in the Lamar area with an anticipated restoration time of late tonight.
400’ Communication Tower was destroyed south of Lamar affects Lamar Light & Power Company communications and internet to Baca County.
CDOT reporting guard rail damage east of Lamar on Highway 50.

#COwx
#tornado

Update on Southeast Colorado Tornadoes from State EOC

2012-04-27T12:45:00.004-06:00

CDEM Situation Report #1: Southeast Colorado Tornadoes

Kiowa County:

6 Structures impacted: 4 Destroyed, 1 Major, 1 Affected – Damage assessment to agricultural equipment outbuilding not complete at this time.
Injuries: 1 Transported to hospital and later released, minor injuries only.
Resource Requests: Request for 1 PIO to assist Kiowa County. No additional state assistance requested at this time.
Infrastructure Impacts: Power- Currently Eads / Haswell anticipated restoration around noon. Chivington, Brandon and Sheridan Lake area by late tonight. Water / Wastewater facilities no impacts reported at this time from Kiowa County.

Bent County

3 Structures impacted: 1 Major and 2 Minor. No confirmed numbers for outbuildings impacted and agricultural equipment damages at this time.
Injuries: None reported at this time.
Resource Requests: No state assistance requested.
Infrastructure Impacts: Power- Currently power is out in Hasty / McClave area no estimated time of restoration at this time. Water / Wastewater facilities no impacts reported at this time from Bent County.

Prowers County

5 Structures impacted: 3 Destroyed, 2 Major. No confirmed number of outbuildings impacted and agricultural equipment damages at this time.
Pig Farm south of Lamar west of Highway 287 is reporting 18 buildings destroyed on the farm. The buildings were not occupied with any swine at the time.
Injuries: 2 people injured transported to Prowers Medical Center, treated and later released.
Resource Requests: American Red Cross is sending a mobile feeding kitchen to the Prowers County EOC. No other assistance requested at this time.
Infrastructure Impacts: Power- Currently power is out in the Lamar area with an anticipated restoration time of late tonight. 400’ Communication Tower was destroyed south of Lamar affects Lamar Light & Power Company communications and internet to Baca County. CDOT reporting guard rail damage east of Lamar on Highway 50.

The next update will be posted by 4:00 p.m.

#COwx
#tornado

Kiowa County Press Conference Scheduled

2012-04-27T10:47:00.001-06:00

Kiowa County Division of Emergency Management has announced that county command staff and possibly National Weather Service staff will provide a media briefing at 3 p.m. today at Eads Fire Station (1300 Goff ST Eads, CO 81036).

Obtain more information by following them on Twitter @kcdem.

#COwx #tornado

Prowers County Press Release

2012-04-27T10:25:00.001-06:00

Information released by Lamar Fire & Ambulance for Prowers County at 9:00 a.m.on April 27, 2012

At about 2:30 a.m., Friday morning, Prowers County was hit by a severe storm. Prowers County residents experienced heavy wind, rain and thunder. A large and fast moving tornado was spotted by Sheriff's Deputies and Colorado State Patrol troopers approximately eight miles south of Lamar near Highway 287.

The tornado moved northeast passing near Lamar where it destroyed two homes just east of Lamar. the tornado continued northbound where it destroyed two more homes located approximately three miles east and one mile north of Lamar. In addition to the homes, a power substation, several power poles and fences were damaged or destroyed.

At least two people received minor injuries and were treated and released from Prowers Medical Center. All of Lamar and most of Prowers County are without power and are expected to be without power for the next 6-24 hours.

Lamar Fire & Ambulance is the Public Information contact for Prowers County. Their contact number is 719-336-4321.

#COwx #Tornado

What Do You Do After a Tornado Strikes?

2012-04-27T09:16:00.000-06:00

Safety Tips to Follow After a Tornado Strikes

Check for injuries. Provide or secure medical assistance for those with injuries.
Monitor the web, radio or television for weather and disaster updates. Secure battery operated equipment to receive updates or to monitor.
Before entering a damaged structure make sure it is safe and stable.
Wear sturdy shoes or boots to protect your feet from debris in the area.
Stay away from downed power lines. Report electrical hazards to local responders and utility company.
Never use generators, pressure washers, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage or camper - or even outside near an open window, door or vent. Carbon monoxide (CO) - an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if you breathe it - from these sources can build up in your home, garage or camper and poison the people and animals inside. Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed or nauseated.
Stay out of the area as much as possible.

Safety information can be obtained from http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes.

#COwx #Tornado

Photo of Tornado Damage in Kiowa County

2012-04-27T08:39:00.002-06:00

Photo Provided By Kiowa County on 4/27/12. Photo taken northeast of Chivington.

#tornado #COwx

Contact Number for CDEM PIO

2012-04-27T08:04:00.002-06:00

Media contact information for Micki Trost, Colorado Division of Emergency Management, Public Information Officer:

Email: micki.trost@state.co.us
Cell Phone: 303-472-4087