Training: FEMA, Army Engineers Unveil Disaster Tools
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have announced availability of several new, user-friendly tools to enhance state and local capabilities to launch and operate Points of Distribution (POD) during and immediately after disaster events.
The products include a new independent study course, a video and guide. These products were developed with input from several states, including Florida, Washington and Texas, and incorporates best practices and lessons learned from the experiences of recent hurricane seasons.
“This guide, video and training class will assist all the partners and stakeholders involved in distribution of assets during times of disaster. Best practices have been compiled and are illustrated in an easy to follow format. This material will help communities, states and tribes work in even better coordination with federal and non-governmental partners as they provide needed supplies to the public, in a timely and consistent manner,” said FEMA Logistics Management Directorate Assistant Administrator Eric Smith.
The independent study training materials provide an overview into the planning, operations, and demobilization stages needed for a state or local community to successfully execute a POD mission. The lessons detail the staffing and procedures any state or locality will need to plan for, execute, and deactivate POD operations. The guide also includes key operational practices such as how to address safety, equipment management, and resource accountability and informs the reader about the innovative “Adopt a POD” program being used by the state of Washington.
FEMA is reaching state, local and nongovernmental partners in disasters by offering this video and others on its multimedia site. The DVD, POD guide and online test are available by clicking here.
Beginning April 1, the DVD and POD guide may also be ordered, at no cost, for mail delivery through the FEMA Publications Warehouse (1-800-480-2520).
For more information, click here.
Tags: community emergency management, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Response, FEMA, POD, Points of Distribution
