If you cant trust the internet for information where can we go?

In the last blog entry, we questioned the accuracy of some of the information on the internet. So where can we go to get validated up to date information.

The following US Government website:

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

"One-stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information."

American Red Cross of The National Capital Area Assists With The 2009 56th Presidential Inauguration

The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area has a very unique role in this community and country in that we partner with government agencies, non-profit partners and private organizations in supporting major events such as the inauguration. The DC Government requested the Red Cross' assistance to serve in a public safety capacity for the 2009 56th Presidential Inauguration. The Red Cross does not endorse political parties or candidates, however we maintain our mission in helping people regardless of their political, religious or cultural background. American Red Cross has a long-standing history partnering with public safety officials during large-scale events, and has been supporting presidential inaugurations since 1909.

For the Presidential Inauguration activities, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area is leading and coordinating the involvement of the four other Red Cross chapters in the National Capital Region.

The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area serves as the Regional Chapter for the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, which consists of five Red Cross chapters in Alexandria, Arlington County, Loudoun County, Prince William and the National Capital Area, which includes District of Columbia, Montgomery County, Prince George's County and cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

Visit our website for the latest news, visitor resources and learn more about how the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region is assisting with the 2009 56th Presidential Inauguration: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.redcrossnca.org%2FEvents%2FInauguration.php

Are you ready for Digital TV?

All this week, local major networks will be testing the digital conversion across the United States.

If you are not sure if your televisions will work after the conversion, this week is the test.

Check with your local stations to find out the exact date and times of the test. During this time (anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes), those stations will not be broadcasting in analog.



As a reminder the transition takes place in February 2009, just a few months away.

Preparing For The Worst Case Scenario - Island Garden City of Samal - Deep Water Search and Rescue Exercise

"The City Disaster and Coordinating Council (CDCC) of the Island Garden City of Samal staged Water Search and Rescue Drills last July 29, as a culminating activity in the observance of the National Disaster Preparedness Month.

The scenario -- Reacting to a report from barangay captain Rey A. Villaabrille of Catagman about a capsized rubber boat with about 10 passengers, Incident Commander Rene E. Ambrona immediately alerted members of the IGaCOS City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) and called for a briefing to assess the incident and dispatch the group to the site for water search and rescue (WASAR) operations. As per report, the boat capsized within the vicinity of the municipal waters of barangays Catagman, Peñaplata, and San Jose at around 10 AM that day." (Source: samalcity.gov.ph)

Andrew Levy from the Corporate Service Corps and Neighbors Helping Neighbors was on hand to evaluate the exercise.

The complete article with details about the exercise can be found at: http://samalcity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=338&Itemid=124

The following is video taking during the event.

This time it was only a drill.

For additional information, please email neighborshelpingneighbors@live.com.

Two ways of looking at everything

Earlier, we featured a story about emergency related websites in Canada and some of the challenges we face as residents, business travelers, and tourists.

It is a good thing we do not have this problem in the United States. Or do we?

Recently, we received an email from a student who was looking to volunteer with a local police explorer program. She reached out to us through the contact form on this website, which allows our readers to send a message through Facebook. When we asked her why she reached out to us, she said she did a Google search.

So maybe the Ontario recommendation might not be that far off.

Something to think about.

Regional Disaster Coodinating Council Takes Lead In Rescue Efforts - Mindanao Times

In the past few weeks, Col. Verner Monsanto was featured in this blog for his efforts leading Central 911 and the Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council. According to front page reports from multiple newspapers, Col. Verner Monsanto took the lead in response and recovery efforts for the recent military plane incident.

One of the stories can be found at: http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=21488

Who would have ever thought that so soon after all the Incident Command System (ICS) training and exercises that so many of the different organizations we worked with would need to come together.

"If I look back at all the time I spent with you, your people, and the many organizations you touch, I would have never thought that so many of them would come together so soon to respond to such an incident. We can look back at all the people who have seen the video "Who's In Charge" and they all know with you as the Incident Commander, the people of Davao and Samal should be proud of the leadership, professional responders, volunteers, and many prepared disaster response organizations."

Thank You For Making A Difference

Prior to returning to the United States, we had the opportunity to receive several Certificates of Recognition. But also present certificates to the several hundreds of people we trained.



But the real recognition was knowing that our time here will have an impact on the other side of the world, in a developing region, with people who are truly amazing.



Pictured above with Mario Verner Monsanto Executive Officer of the Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council (DCDCC) and Central 911. Receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Col. Monsanto and Rodrigo Duterte, City Mayor and Chairman of the DCDCC.


Picture above at the University of Mindanao, with representatives from the Council of Deans for IT Education and Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators Foundation.

Thank you again for all the gifts and also the official uniforms provided by Central 911, Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council, and official Office of Civil Defense/National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) hat.

Turn On Your Lights for National Night Out, Then Shut it Off to Conserve Energy Around the World

As part of kickoff activities here in the Philippines and in preparation for National Night Out in the United States, I had the honor of presenting Mr. Edgar Salanio from the Regional Coordinating Council and Office of Civil Defense with a self powered led flashlight from back home.

Mr. Salanio spent some time in the United States and is a highly respected instructor in the Philippines. He teaches every major organization that would be impacted or respond to a disaster or major emergency. It has been an excellent opportunity to work side by side with him and everyone from RDCC and DCDCC.

I was presented with a hat from the National Disaster Coordinating Council and Office of Civil Defense.

Neighbors helping Neighbors, Locally and Around the World. This is truly friends making new friends to help others be better prepared. Once we return home, we look forward to Mr. Salanio providing regular articles to the Neighbors Helping Neighbors blog.

Additional information about National Night Out, which other countries may consider implementing, can be found at: http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/

What? We should not call 911 in an emergency?

When you travel around the United States or to other parts of the world, did you ever think the emergency number might not be 911?

The following is a pretty thorough international resource for emergency telephone numbers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_telephone_number

Should you call the local operator instead? That is not recommended. You should always know your local emergency telephone number.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Blog Joins National Preparedness Month Coalition For Second Year

For additional information on National Preparedness Month in the United States, please visit:

http://www.ready.gov/

It is hard to believe that this website was launched almost a year ago, as part of National Preparedness Month.

Are your lessons learned only your own?

How often do you wonder if another jurisdiction is doing something similar?

Are there things that we might not have considered?

Are there best practices?

Did you know that the Lessons Learned Information Sharing network out of the United States Department of Homeland Security has a repository to address those questions and more.

Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS.gov) is the national network of Lessons Learned, Best Practices, innovative ideas, and preparedness information for homeland security and emergency response professionals. By facilitating the sharing of knowledge, LLIS.gov enhances the nation's ability to prepare for and respond to terrorism, natural disasters, and other incidents. LLIS.gov is not only a repository for information but also a network that enables homeland security and emergency response professionals from across the country to share their knowledge and expertise in a secure, online environment.

(Reprinted from http://www.llis.dhs.gov/about.do)

What Are You Doing This Summer?

For IBMer Andrew Levy and his daughter Gabrielle, volunteerism is a family affair.

In honor of their service to the local community of Fairfax, Virginia, these President's Volunteer Service Award winners were recently named "Lord and Lady Fairfax." The tradition of honoring Lords and Ladies of Fairfax began in 1984 as a way to recognize the outstanding citizens of Fairfax County. At only five years old, Gabrielle is the youngest recipient in history to receive this honor.

"It is truly an honor to be recognized as a father–daughter team," says the elder Levy. "But our volunteer efforts really include the entire family. Volunteering and giving back to the community have become important family values for us. The earlier you instill those values, the greater the lifelong impact."

Along with mom, Eva–Beth and son Aiden, age three, the Levy family is often found at local events offering a helping hand. They have demonstrated solutions from TryScience at the Smithsonian's Family Day and highlighted the new PowerUp game on the National Mall with IBM during Earth Day.

Many random acts of kindness

For Gabrielle, her volunteer involvement at a Fairfax event got her started making greeting cards. These cards have expanded into what she calls her own company, "Caring Kids Cards."

With the help of younger brother Aiden, the Levy kids have made cards for members of the military stationed around the world, police officers, fire fighters, senior centers, students in college, transitioning parents and even cards in other languages. Often receiving orders for 50–100 cards at a time, Gabrielle and Aiden hope to impact over 10,000 people with their cards by the time they are teenagers. Their Web site was named a "Web site of the month" by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

"I started volunteering when I was three years old," says Gabrielle. "I would like everyone to know that it does not matter how old you are. Even someone as young as two, like my brother Aiden, or younger, can make a card" — and make a difference.

Giving back globally: the Corporate Service Corps

As one of the first IBM Corporate Service Corps assignees, Andrew Levy is taking his passion for giving back on the road — and around the globe — as he prepares for a four–week assignment this July in the Philippines.

"I am excited about working with an international team in a culturally diverse environment to help solve challenges, to make a difference — and to learn in the process," says Levy. "We are not going to do a short–term job and then leave. We are there to help teach the locals, to mentor them, so they are able to continue with their newly learned skills and teach others as well."

(Reprinted from ibm.com)

So far away, yet so similar?

The "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" blog welcomes readers from the Philippines.

Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council (DCDCC) and Central 911.

As you can see from the following website,
http://www.usvirtualconsulatedavao.org.ph/features/features01.html
there are other parts of the world that have emergency response systems similar to the United States and Canada.

In the next few weeks, this blog will share best practices and lessons learned from this region.

Liability Insurance - Does Anyone Have The Same Answer?

While in Toronto and others places that I speak, the question often comes up from volunteers, "what about liability insurance?"

Could I lose my house if I am just using my training and trying to do the right thing?

For example, if you see an accident happen and pull over on the side of the road and use the skills that you learned from a training class, would you be covered by the agency that trained you?

A volunteer may hear they are covered under the "Good Samaritan Law". And more often than not, in this example, that is probably how you are covered.

* Note - It is important to note there are often specific regulations as it relates to traffic management.

You will see there is much discussion in the industry about this. For example, check out the description and comment on Wikipedia -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan_Law

Some additional questions to consider:

- What if a person is asked to volunteer in a booth at a fair providing awareness to the public, are they covered?

- If a person is trained to act in a disaster, but there is no formal deployment plan and they help their neighbor are they covered?

- What if you are trained by one agency but deployed by another or volunteer for multiple agencies?

- Are you covered when you are at a training exercise?

- What about when you drive to the meeting or activity, are you covered?

- etc.

Some jurisdictions require activation or a state of emergency to be declared at the state level for certain coverage and deployment to occur.

Have you ever asked these questions and found the person you volunteer for needed to research it? Have you ever asked multiple people and got different answers? If so, which answer really applies?

Bottom line, if you have any concerns about this, you might want to ask for the official document that specifically highlights the coverage. And if you find that for your type of volunteering that it is not covered, might you want to ask why? After all, are you not an extension of that agency?

And no matter what you hear, you might also consider a personal liability umbrella insurance policy. The following website provides some addition information -> http://personalinsure.about.com/cs/umbrella/a/aa110503a.htm

Again, keep in mind, this is just something to think about and not legal advice.

Blog Readers Around The World

Since the last readership update in January 2008, the number of countries that view http://citizencorps.blogspot.com/ has doubled.

We now have readers from approximately 50 countries, over 650 cities around the world, and all 50 states.

Sharing best practices locally and around the world helps us all be better prepared.