Homeland Security Update

8/27/04

Friday, August 27, 2004

NEWS ADVISORY: Citizen input on Emergency response sought

WHO: Any interested area residents

WHAT: Preparing all disaster response plans for Federal Government

WHEN/ WHERE: Schedule for Public Meetings:

Thursday, September 16:
Shoreview City Council Chambers from 7:00-9:00pm.
4600 Victoria Street North, Shoreview MN

Thursday, September 23:
Falcon Heights City Council Chambers from 7:00-9:00pm.
2077 W. Carpenter Ave., Falcon Heights, MN

Monday, September 27:
Maplewood Fire Station #2 from 7:00-9:00pm.
1955 Clarence St., Maplewood, MN

Wednesday, September 29;
Roseville Oval from 7:00-9:00pm.
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN

Thursday, September 30:
White Bear Lake Police Department from 7:00-9:00pm.
4701 Highway 61, White Bear Lake, MN

How should Ramsey County and local communities respond in the event of a major fire? a flood? Any natural disaster? incident of terrorism?

That is a question Ramsey County Emergency Management and Homeland Security officials are working to answer with the help of local Emergency responders and the public.

The public is invited to any or all of the public meetings scheduled above to share their input and ideas about response to any of the potential large scale hazards or natural disasters that may face Ramsey County and East Metro communities.

The County officials will incorporate the public input into reports on disaster response and mitigation they are preparing.

10/16/03

Release Date: October 15, 2003

FEMA UNVEILS UNIQUE ONLINE BOARD GAME TO TEST CHILDREN'S DISASTER KNOWLEDGE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is unveiling today a new, interactive Web-based board game for children - as part of the agency's ongoing commitment to educating young people about disaster preparedness and risk reduction. The board game, called Disaster Discovery, is located on the agency's FEMA for Kids Web site.

“The more prepared and knowledgeable children are about disasters, the safer they are and it's easier for them and their families to recover,” said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Our FEMA for Kids Web site is a novel approach to disaster information and the new game will help keep children's interest and enhance the likelihood they'll retain what they've learned.”

The game, at http://www.fema.gov/kids/games/board, can be played online or downloaded and played on a home or school computer. It can also be printed out and played in “hard copy.” Macromedia's Flash player is required to play the online version of the game; the free software can be downloaded through the site.

The board game includes different sections, including Tornado Alley and Quake Country. A player is moved forward when correctly answering disaster-related questions, all of which are based on information from the site. Hazard! cards also send a player forward or backward depending on different disaster scenarios.

The FEMA for Kids Web site debuted in 1997, as part of a strategy to involve children in helping families, schools and communities become better prepared for and more knowledgeable about disasters. It was one of the first government sites created specifically for youngsters.

FEMA for Kids has been a successful site, garnering millions of visitors and dozens of awards. Games were included on the site from the onset in order to retain child visitors for as long as possible. Strong colors and interesting graphics were also employed to lure youngsters to the site. The site was created for fourth- through sixth-graders, with some sections suitable for younger children. Many older children - and even adults - have also found the site useful. A separate section for parents and teachers provides classroom activities, disaster-related curriculum and relevant links.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.