Volunteer Portal is Now Live for Haiti-USAID

The volunteer portal on http://www.usaid.gov/haiti/has been activated and should be the sole source to refer those seeking to volunteer for Haiti to. USAID echoes the message that spontaneous/unaffiliated volunteers are heavily discouraged, and has designed the site to reinforce this message. The composite of volunteer registrations will be accessible to NGOs, should they have a need, and allows NGOs to specifically post needs (i.e., seeking specific skill sets).

The below message is being sent to other-federal-agencies informing them of the volunteer portal’s launch, as well as the cash and in-kind portal features.

As you know, USAID is leading a United States whole-of-government response to assist the Government of Haiti in the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake. In an effort to provide consistency among government agencies, USAID established the http://www.usaid.gov/haiti/ website to direct those interested supporting the response and recovery operation.

Cash contributions are still being encouraged, and the site contains a link to the Clinton – Bush Foundation for doing so. Cash allows established organizations to purchase the exact type and quantity of items needed to help those affected by the earthquake without having to pay the high costs associated with transporting physical donations to Haiti. Financial contributions can be transferred quickly and reduce the challenges posed by limited staff, equipment and space. Cash donations often ensure that culturally and environmentally appropriate assistance is rendered.

The website also offers those interested in donating in-kind a portal to register their goods online, which then become viewable by NGOs that may have a need for such goods.

Lastly, the site now allows unaffiliated/spontaneous volunteers interested in volunteering a portal to register their interest. NGOs will have access the volunteer portal to match their needs with the registered individuals in the system. It is important to note that NGOs are reporting that their capacity to absorb additional volunteers is limited and as a result, individuals generous offers to support relief and recovery in Haiti is greatly appreciated however may go unneeded.

USAID asks for your assistance in sharing this unified message, and encourage messaging regarding the http://www.usaid.gov/haiti/ website.

Is Your Community Organization Looking for a Good Presentation?

Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security has recently established a Speakers Bureau of interesting topics and sessions that are available to all local community, civic, and business groups interested in a presentation. We can adapt the presentations to meet the time and size needs of any group.

Help us get out in the community and share not only how citizens can be prepared for emergencies, but how the County is preparing on their behalf. Visit www.jocoem.org and click on the Speakers Bureau button.

Midwest Disasters 2.0 Social Media Workshop

Johnson County Emergency Management helped host the Midwest Disasters 2.0 Social Media Workshop yesterday. This workshop provided emergency managers and public information officers throughout the Kansas City Metro to come together and learn more about social media's impact on emergency preparedness and response. Local, regional, and national experts were brought into to provide their perspective. These speakers included Dr. Jeanette Sutton and Pat Philbin as well as local representatives from the National Weather Service, City of Edgerton (KS), KDOT, Medical Reserve Corps, Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Mid-America Regional Council, American Red Cross of Kansas City and many others. Additionally, Kris Ketz (KMBC), Nichole Teich (KMBZ), and Kurt Kloeblen (KCTV) provided a lunch panel discussion of how traditional media is using social media.

Need to Know How to Volunteer Successfully?

During disasters, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, many people want to help in anyway they can. This includes financial donations and responding to calls for volunteer support. These are vital to disaster response and recovery, but must be done correctly to ensure the safety of all responders as well as efficient and effective response. There are seven rules to follow:

1) Cash contributions to major disaster relief organizations are often the most effective. Specifically, unsolicited donated goods can be complicated, costly, and time-consuming to collect, sort, pack, transport, unload, resort, store, and distribute within a community where needs for those items may or may not exist currently. Visit www.nvoad.org for a complete list of national disaster relief organizations.

2) Used Clothing is rarely a useful item to collect for disaster relief. It is hard to clear, sort, pack, transport, etc. Mounds of clothes can take of valuable warehouse space and frequently end up being discarded.

3) Confirm what is needed before taking action. The most effective way the public can assist is to support the experienced disaster relief organizations with either financial contributions or in-kind goods and services that the organizations report they need.

4) Donate through a registered organization. It is never a good idea to collect goods for a disaster relief without a firm plan in place that confirms the goods are needed, who will receive the goods, how the goods will be transported and how they will be distributed.

5) Transportation must be planned in advance. Transportation is frequently a major problem for donors and relief operations. If it is not organization in advance, a donor can easily be stuck with large amounts of donated goods and no means of transporting them.

6) Donated goods must be well packed and labeled. Specific content lists should be taped to the side of each box. This allows the receiving organization to determine the contents of the box without opening it, thereby allowing for a more timely distribution.

7) Volunteers are encouraged to affiliate with a voluntary organization involved in disaster response and recovery. Before the disaster strikes, people should get disaster training if they think they will want to respond later. Volunteering through one of these groups provides a better change of insurance and liability protection.

For more information, please visit here.

Johnson County Offers Public Severe Weather Awareness Training -- February 1, 2010

Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security is offering a free public severe weather awareness training presentation on February 1, 2010, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Pioneer Trail Junior High School at 15100 W. 127th Street, Olathe, Kansas. Anyone from the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend to learn more about severe weather events.

The presentation will by approximately two (2) hours long and is provided by a highly trained meteorologist from the National Weather Service. The presenter will discuss various aspects of severe weather including physical characteristics, storm spotting, and personal safety.

“This type of training is vital to continue to prepare Johnson County for all hazards and emergencies,” stated Nick Crossley, Director of Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security. “Providing these types of educational opportunities for our citizens is a priority preparedness activity.”

If local citizens are interested in the training but are unable to physically attend the event, they may watch it live at www.jocoem.org/cit/live.shtml.

For more information about Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security, visit www.jocoem.org. To follow Johnson County Emergency Preparedness via social media, visit www.jocoem.org/links.shtml.

Clarification of Warming Centers in Johnson County

Yesterday, a message was distributed to the public indicating that Libraries were to be used as warming centers. Unfortunately, the Library ultimately closed all of its branches during the day due to the weather conditions. We apologize for the confusion this may have caused.

The Libraries are open today and tomorrow. Some branches are even open on Sunday. Consequently, we are encouraging anyone in need of a warm place to stop by one of the many Johnson County library locations during operating hours (specific hours are available at www.jocolibrary.org).

If you have an need after normal operating hours, we encourage you to call 2-1-1. This is a service that can connect you to almost any public need in the area. Again, please call 2-1-1 if you are need after hours.

Stay warm and stay prepared!

Protect Yourself from Winter's Extreme Chill

The Johnson County Health Department, Johnson County Library System, and Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security encourages all citizens who need a place to stay warm to visit one of thirteen library branches in the county. The hours of different branches vary by location. Citizens can call (913) 495-2400 or go to www.jocolibary.org to check hours of operation for their nearest library.

Conserve Heat - Keep as much heat as possible inside your home. Avoid unnecessary opening of doors or windows and close off unneeded rooms. Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors and cover windows at night.

Monitor Body Temperature - Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. Those more than 65 should check the temperature in their home often. Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room. They lose body heat easily and can’t make enough body heat by shivering. Infants should have warm clothing and be kept indoors in warm, consistent temperatures.

Eat and Drink Wisely - Well-balanced meals help you stay warmer. Alcoholic or caffeinated beverage causes your body to lose heat more rapidly. Drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help maintain your body temperature. If you have any dietary restrictions, ask your doctor.

Outdoor Safety – Stay indoors in the heat as much as possible. Make any trips outside as brief as possible, dress warmly and stay dry. Adults and children should wear a hat, scarf or knit mask to cover the face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens, a water-resistant coat and boots and several layers of loose-fitting clothing. Wet clothing chills the body rapidly. Avoid excess perspiration by removing extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm. Do not ignore shivering – it’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.