Wisconsin Emergency Management

ReadyWisconsin Offers Winter Safety Tips

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:20:00 CST

Contact: Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

NEWS: ReadyWisconsin Offers Winter Safety Tips
Date: January 20, 2011

With temperatures hitting the single digits, overnight lows in the negative degree range and statewide wind chill advisories into next week, Wisconsin Emergency Management's ReadyWisconsin campaign is urging families to take appropriate measures against the bitter cold.

Your best defense against the extreme temperatures is to stay indoors, but if you must head outside, remember to bundle up with multiple layers of clothing. In addition to wearing a tightly woven winter coat, a scarf, hat and gloves will go a long way toward keeping you safe against the elements. In temperatures this severe, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in fewer than 30 minutes, so adding those extra layers of protection is your best defense against the wind and cold. If you notice a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in your fingers, toes, ears or the tip of your nose, you may need to seek medical help right away.

Hypothermia, a deadly condition, occurs when a person's body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Warning signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, disorientation, slurred speech and drowsiness. Seek medical care immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Cold weather also puts an added strain on your body. Activities like shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or worsen an existing condition.

Lastly, remember that pets need special attention during this cold spell. Limit your dog's exposure to the cold temperatures, and wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when coming inside from a walk. Pay attention to your dog's paws as they may bleed from snow or encrusted ice. Be sure to clean their feet when they return to the house, as dogs can digest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking their paws.

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Registration Open for 2011 Governor's Conference!

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:50:00 CST

Contact: Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

NEWS: Registration Open for 2011 Governor's Conference!
Date: January 10, 2011

Online registration is now available for the 2011 Governor's Conference, taking place on March 3 & 4 (Pre-Conference Training Day on March 2) at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton.

To download the full conference brochure as a .PDF file, click here.

To register for the conference as an attendee, click here.

To register as an exhibitor, click here.

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Don't Drop the Ball - Resolve to be Ready in 2011!!!

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:50:00 CST

Contact: Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

NEWS: Don't Drop the Ball - Resolve to be Ready in 2011!!!
Date: December 15, 2010

ReadyWisconsin wants you and your family to be ready in 2011. Simple tips from putting together an emergency kit, developing an emergency family plan, and learn about hazards in Wisconsin are available at ReadyWisconsin.

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Situation Report #1 Winter Storm

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 09:50:00 CST

Contact: Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

NEWS: Situation Report #1 Winter Storm
Date: December 11, 2010

A major winter storm is blanketing Wisconsin, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and rain/sleet. Roads across the state are snow packed and icy and travel is not advised. The Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at 7:00 p.m. this evening to monitor the storm. Wisconsin Emergency Management, Wisconsin National Guard, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin State Patrol staff are in the EOC.

Earlier this evening, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin State Patrol issued a media release advising motorists to not travel, unless absolutely necessary. There are numerous reports of accidents across the state. DOT reports that an almost 150-mile stretch of I-94 between Tomah and Hudson is impassable after heavy snow pummeled the area for much of the day.

Winter Storm advisories, warnings and blizzard warnings have been issued for much of the state as heavy snow continues causing limited visibility and whiteouts in some areas as strong winds pick up. Snow, gusty winds and bitter cold temperatures will continue through Sunday.

There has been no other request for state assistance.

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Get Ready For Cold Weather

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:50:00 CST

Contact: Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

NEWS: Get Ready For Cold Weather
Date: December 06, 2010

There's one thing you can count on during a Wisconsin Winter, once the snow comes through - chilly weather is sure to follow. Be ready for the cold with these tips from Ready Wisconsin.

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Winter Storm to Hit Southern Wisconsin

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:50:00 CST

Contact: Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

NEWS: Winter Storm to Hit Southern Wisconsin
Date: December 03, 2010

The State of Wisconsin is monitoring the first winter storm of the season that will hit southern Wisconsin tonight. The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories from Eau Claire to the Milwaukee area. The storm system is expected to move into the state by late afternoon and will continue thru Saturday afternoon. Forecasters are expecting 4-6 inches of snow.

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Department of Military Affairs furlough day set for Friday, Nov. 26

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:50:00 CST

Contact: Lt. Col. Jackie Guthrie
Office: 608-242-3050 or Cell: 608-516-1777

NEWS: Department of Military Affairs furlough day set for Friday, Nov. 26
Date: November 22, 2010

Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA) will operate on a limited basis Friday, Nov. 26 as state employees take a required furlough day. DMA will resume regular business hours on Monday, Nov. 29.

The Department of Military Affairs includes Joint Force Headquarters-Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Army National Guard, the Wisconsin Air National Guard, and the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management (WEM). The furlough primarily affects DMA employees at JFHQ, 2400 Wright St. in Madison. Wisconsin National Guard federal employees are not affected by this furlough requirement.

Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar, the adjutant general of Wisconsin, said the Wisconsin National Guard's Joint Operations Center (JOC) and the 24-Hour Emergency Management Duty Officer System will remain fully operational. WEM Administrator Mike Hinman has ensured that, regardless of state furlough dates, the state Emergency Operations Center will remain available to respond as needed in the event of emergencies.

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Current News Releases and Media Galleries

Only One Week Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:15:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Only One Week Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance
Date: November 10, 2010

There is only one week left for Grant and Milwaukee County residents to apply for federal disaster assistance to help recover from severe storms, tornadoes and flooding July 20-24, according to Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Time is running out. Wednesday, Nov. 17 is the deadline to apply for Individual Assistance President Obama designated for both counties on Sept. 18.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/DR%201933%20WI%20NR050%20One%20Week%20Left%20to%20Apply%20for%20Disaster%20Assistance.pdf

Top 10 Reasons Why People Haven't Applied for Assistance

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 10:15:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Top 10 Reasons Why People Haven't Applied for Assistance
Date: November 9, 2010

With just a few days left to apply for disaster assistance before the Nov. 17 deadline, disaster officials have come up with their own Top Ten List of reasons why people in Grant and Milwaukee counties say they have not applied for assistance.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/top_10_reasons.pdf

Hazard Mitigation Pre-application Due Dec. 6th for Counties Included in Disaster Declaration for Sept./Oct.

Tue, 9 Nov 2010 10:15:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Hazard Mitigation Pre-application Due Dec. 6th for Counties Included in Disaster Declaration for Sept./Oct.
Date: November 9, 2010

As a result of Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-1944-DR-WI declared October 21, 2010, funding is available for mitigation activities through the Section 404-Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Juneau, Portage, Marathon, Taylor, Trempealeau and Wood Counties were included in the declaration for the Public Assistance Program as a result of flooding, tornadoes and severe storms that occurred between September 22 and October 9, 2010.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/Pre-Application1944.pdf

NASCAR Champ Matt Kenseth Promotes Winter Weather Preparedness

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 10:15:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: NASCAR Champ Matt Kenseth Promotes Winter Weather Preparedness
Date: November 8, 2010

Are you Ready for Winter Driving, Wisconsin?

NASCAR champion and Cambridge, Wisconsin native Matt Kenseth has teamed up with Wisconsin Emergency Management to encourage winter weather emergency preparedness.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/2010%20Kenseth%20RW%20Press%20Release.pdf

2010 Wisconsin VOAD Conference: December 1-3 at Fort McCoy, WI

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 09:15:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: 2010 Wisconsin VOAD Conference: December 1-3 at Fort McCoy, WI
Date: November 8, 2010

VOAD Conference is FREE through sponsorship by Wisconsin Emergency Management, WI VOAD and the Office of Justice Assistance

When disaster strikes, Wisconsin residents can be counted on to respond. Whether the disaster takes shape as a flood, tornado, winter storm or man-made crisis, plenty of volunteers are sure to arrive at the scene to help others.

Wisconsin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WI VOAD) is the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle - mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery - to help disaster survivors and their communities. Members of WI VOAD form a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission.

Learn how you and your organization can help - read the brochure and sign up now!

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/2010_VOAD_Conference_Brochure.pdf

FEMA/SBA Deadline Approaching - $44 Million Approved

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 08:15:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: FEMA/SBA Deadline Approaching - $44 Million Approved
Date: November 5, 2010

Almost $45 million in federal grants have been distributed to Grant and Milwaukee County residents since President Obama's disaster declaration on Sept. 18, according to Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/44_million_disaster.pdf

Don't Prejudge Your Eligibility for Disaster Assistance

Thu, 4 Nov 2010 08:15:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Don't Prejudge Your Eligibility for Disaster Assistance
Date: November 4, 2010

More than 30,000 residents of Grant and Milwaukee counties have applied for federal disaster assistance to help recover from severe storms, tornadoes and flooding July 20-24 since President Obama declared the counties eligible for Individual Assistance on Sept. 18. But Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) think there may be more disaster-affected individuals who have not applied because they think their damages do not warrant coverage. Some residents second guess their eligibility because their neighbor applied and did not qualify.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/prejudge_your_eligibility.pdf

Village of Brown Deer Wins Flood Battle

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 09:15:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Village of Brown Deer Wins Flood Battle
Date: November 3, 2010

More than five inches of rain soaked the village of Brown Deer on July 22, 2010, putting the city's mitigation project to the test.

Incorporated in 1955, the village of Brown Deer has been plagued with flooding over the years especially in its low lying areas near two tributaries of Beaver Creek and South Branch Creek, which funnel down to the Milwaukee River.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/brown_deer_battle.pdf

Winter Awareness Week: November 8-12

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 09:15:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Winter Awareness Week: November 8-12
Date: November 2, 2010

Governor Jim Doyle has declared November 8-12, 2010 as Wisconsin's Winter Awareness Week. The annual campaign, sponsored by Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS), is to remind people to be prepared for winter conditions that could threaten their safety.

This year, NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth is teaming up with WEM to promote winter awareness. Matt is appearing in a number of public service announcements that will air on Wisconsin TV stations and some radio stations statewide during the month of November.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/2010%20Winter%20Awareness%20Press%20Release.pdf

Faithful Readiness Conference Brings Churches and Emergency Leaders Together

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 09:35:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Faithful Readiness Conference Brings Churches and Emergency Leaders Together
Date: November 2, 2010

About 200 people attended the Faithful Readiness Conference at the Grand Geneva Conference Center in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on November 1, 2010. The mission: Get houses of faith together with emergency leaders to better prepare our communities for disasters.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/default.asp

Be Sure You've Registered with FEMA

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 08:35:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Be Sure You've Registered with FEMA
Date: November 2, 2010

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge residents of Grant and Milwaukee counties to ensure they have correctly registered for federal disaster assistance by the Nov. 17 deadline.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/Registered_With_ FEMA.pdf

More Than 28,000 Homes Inspected for Disaster Damage

Mon, 1 Nov 2010 08:35:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: More Than 28,000 Homes Inspected for Disaster Damage
Date: November 1, 2010

Since a presidential disaster declaration was issued Sept. 18, more than 30,000 residents of Grant and Milwaukee counties have applied for federal disaster aid, and nearly 28,500 of their homes already have been inspected, according to Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/28000_homes.pdf

Last SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Milwaukee to Close November 5

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:35:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Last SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Milwaukee to Close November 5
Date: October 29, 2010

The U.S. Small Business Administration announces today that due to a steady decrease of activity, the Disaster Loan Outreach Center located in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin will cease operations on Friday, November 5 at 6 p.m. The Center located at the Milwaukee Brotherhood of Firefighters closed on October 28.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/102910%20Closing%20of%20SBA%20Disaster%20Loan%20Outreach%20Center.pdf

SBA Disaster Assistance Available to Private Non-Profit Organizations in Wisconsin

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:30:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: SBA Disaster Assistance Available to Private Non-Profit Organizations in Wisconsin
Date: October 29, 2010

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that certain Private Non- Profit Organizations (PNPs) that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low interest rate disaster loans. These loans are available in Wisconsin following a Presidential disaster declaration for Public Assistance resulting from damages caused by severe storms and flooding that occurred on Sept. 22 through Oct. 9, 2010.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/102710-SBA%20Disaster%20Low%20Interest%20%20Loans%20Available%20To%20PNPs.pdf

Governor Doyle Announces Federal Disaster Declaration for Nine Counties

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 08:10:00 CDT

Contact: Jerad Albracht
(608) 242-3215

News: Governor Doyle Announces Federal Disaster Declaration for Nine Counties
Date: October 22, 2010

Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made a major disaster declaration for nine counties, making assistance available to local units of government affected by the September floods. The assistance will help communities recover some of the costs incurred through fighting the floods, protecting citizens and repairing infrastructure.

The counties named in today's declaration are Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Juneau, Marathon, Portage, Taylor, Trempealeau and Wood Counties. Under the program, FEMA provides 75 percent of eligible costs, while state and local agencies share 12.5 percent of the costs.

Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/news/2010/10-22-10_Disaster_Declaration.pdf