POSITION Emergency Management Intern

POSITION
Emergency Management Intern

SALARY
Course Credit (per higher education institution)

DUTIES
The City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department (EMD) is currently taking applications for unpaid internships. This highly competitive program in the nation’s 2nd largest city is open to graduate students interested in emergency management and pursuing a degree in emergency management, homeland security, public administration, strategic planning, or a related field. Interns will receive hands-on learning experiences, as they will be fully integrated into the Department and will be assigned projects related to emergency planning, emergency operations, and community preparedness. Interns may also prepare reports, research,
recommendations, and correspondence on behalf of EMD, the Emergency Operations Organization, or other administrative bodies as directed. Interns will work with representatives from various City of Los Angeles departments, business partners, and non-profit organizations.
All participants in this program will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced emergency management professional. A final review of each intern will be conducted to facilitate the intern’s learning and growth as an emergency management professional. Further, Interns will have access to all City hosted emergency management training courses and related meetings as available at no cost.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
EMD acts on behalf of the Mayor, the City Council, Emergency Operations Board (EOB), and Emergency Operations Organization (EOO) on all matters of city-wide emergency planning, training, mitigation, recovery, and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) readiness. The Department strives to coordinate and manage Citywide emergency management activities with the goals of increasing the preparedness of Angelenos; enhancing the City’s collective ability to plan for, mitigate, and respond to emergencies; and expanding the City’s continuity of operations/continuity of government capabilities. WWW.LACITY.ORG/EMD

REQUIREMENTS
All applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
• Enrolled in or completed a graduate degree program at an accredited university, preferably in
emergency management, homeland security, public administration, strategic planning, or a related field
• Minimum of 3.0 Cumulative GPA preferred
• Strong oral and written communication skills; Detail-oriented; Creative thinker and ability to strategize and solve complex problems
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• References and writing sample may be required.

All interns will be expected to work a minimum of five hours per week and a maximum of twenty hours per week throughout the eight-ten week summer program.

Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to: Devra Brukman, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at Devra.Brukman@lacity.org. Please include: Summer Internship in the subject of your email, and in your cover letter, note your availability based on your academic calendar.

Applications for the summer program will be accepted through May 15, 2009.

Filing may close at any time without prior notice after a sufficient number of applications have been received.

New FREE Bombs/Bomb-Response/ Suicide-Bomber Program Available

New FREE Bombs/Bomb-Response/
Suicide-Bomber Program Available

The Police Officers Safety Association’s (POSA’s) newest training program, Responding to Bomb Threats, Bomb Incidents and Suicide Bombers, is now available free by download. This program contains a 100+ slide PowerPoint resource that’s dense with information. It contains an overview of explosives and bombs, provides examples of various kinds of each. It informs public safety personnel what to look for when on calls so that they might recognize bombs and their precursors. It details ways in which agencies can respond to bomb threats and bombing incidents. It describes ways to interdict suicide bombers and minimize loss of life.

The entire program is at the practical level for front-line responders, and it does not veer off into interesting but academic areas. The program was reviewed by a Technical Review Committee consisting of experts in homeland security, police special operations, and the fire service from across the nation.

The program includes more than a dozen open-source documents full of information on handling all aspects of this kind of event, from communications to hazmat to tactics.

The PowerPoint resource can be used by any agency or officer either as-is, or as a basis from which to construct training modules or presentations of their own. It compiles the thoughts and advice of many of the leading experts in this area.

To download, simply go to http://www.posai.org/ and click on the "Access Training Programs" link on the left navigation menu. Then click on the "click here" link on the main page to be taken to our download page on Officer.com.

http://www.officer.com/posa/posa_videos.jsp?siteSection=30

National EMS Memorial Bike Ride

One of our students in the DMM program, Daryl Doering will be working with Paramedic students at the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (http://muddyangels.org/), May 16th 2009 - May 22nd 2009. His function will be to help the students apply ICS as they coordinate all aspects of ride support and planning. Daryl and his colleagues welcome and need volunteers of all sorts. Part of the experience will evolve around the running of the ICS style command and allocation of resources. Anyone interested in volunteering for this event and gaining some excellent experience from the field, please feel free to contact Aaron Richman at richmana@philau.edu and we will assist you in making the arrangements.

CDC Confirms 91 Swine Flu Cases in 10 States & First U.S. Death;Urges Health Habits

The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the nation’s first fatality from this outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.

CDC has implemented its emergency response. The agency’s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. Yesterday, CDC issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are two groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza. In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

As of 11:00 AM ET on April 29, 2009, CDC has confirmed 91 human cases of swine flu in 10 states and 1 death:

• Arizona: 1
• California: 14
• Indiana: 1
• Kansas: 2
• Massachusetts: 2
• Michigan: 2
• Nevada: 1
• New York: 51
• Ohio: 1
• Texas: 16 (1 death)

This information has recently been updated,

International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection

For information about investigation into cases outside the United States, see the World Health Organization website.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

For more information on what you can to stay safe and healthy, check the CDC Swine Flu website.

Additional Updates on the CDC Swine Flu Website

To learn about other updates made to the CDC Swine Flu Website in the past 24 hours, please check the "What's New" page on the CDC Swine Flu website.

Pandemic Flu/2009 H1-N1 Flu Info:

Pandemic Flu/2009 H1-N1 Flu Info:

Association of State and Territorial Health Officers (ASTHO)
Flu State Updates:
http://www.astho.org/templates/display_pub.php?pub_id=3797&admin=1

BBC World Map (H1-N1 progress)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8021547.stm

DHHS (US Department of Health and Human Services)
Public Health Emergency Declaration:
http://www.hhs.gov/secretary/phe_swh1n1.html

DHHS/Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Tools and Resources for Influenza Preparedness
http://www.ahrq.gov/prep/swineflu.htm

DHHS/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Main H1-N1 Flu Web Link: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
Case Counts: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
Guidance and Recommendations:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations
<http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations.htm>
Influenza General Resources http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/
Info Phone Line: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
Key Facts: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
Media Brf Transcripts:
http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090426.htm
Seasonal Flu Overview http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
Travel Updates/Guidance.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluTravel.aspx
"Widgets" (Including Swine Flu Widget).
http://www.hhs.gov/web/library/index.html

DHHS/Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Emergency Use Authorization Summary.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02002.html

DHHS/National Library of Medicine
Swine Flu Resources. http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/swineflu.html

DHHS/Pandemic Flu.Gov
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/index.html
Federal and world response stages:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/federal/fedresponsestages.html
H1-N1 Frequently Asked Questions:
http://pandemicflu.gov/faq/swineflu/
Use of Pneumococcal Vaccine
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/vaccine/pneumococcal.html
State-by-State Pandemic Planning and status:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/index.html#stateplans

Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
Flu Updates. http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/programs/swine-flu.shtm

DHS/FEMA:
FEMA Assistance for Pan Flu:
http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/9523_17.shtm

Google Maps Swine Flu Tracking Tool:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=106484775090
296685271.

0004681a37b713f6b5950&ll=32.639375,-110.390625&spn=15.738151,2
5.488281&z=5

International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)
Spanish Language reports/resources/information.
http://www.iaem.es/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=616&Itemid=
208

Masks and PPE:
http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/stockpiling-facemasks-respirators.html
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01630.html
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidelines_infection_control.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm

Society of Critical Care Medicine.
Guidance/Tng Documents for Hospital PPE Issues.
http://www.sccm.org/Public_Health_and_Policy/Disaster_Resources/Pages/de
fault.aspx

Mexican Department of Health:
http://portal.salud.gob.mx/

Office of Personnel Management (HR and US Govt personnel Issues):
www.opm.gov/pandemic/
www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/2008/2008-09.asp
Advice to Federal Employees and Agencies on Preventing the Spread of the
Current Flu and Maintaining Readiness to Use HR Flexibilities if
Necessary
http://www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalId=
2227
http://www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/Index.aspx

Pan American Health Organization:
Main Site: http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?lang=en
Flu Page:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id
=805&Itemid=569

Public Health Agency of Canada
PHAC Swine Flu information:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine_200904-eng.php
Travel Health Warning:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2009/hsf-mexico-090427-eng.php
Information on Government of Canada actions:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2009/2009_0427_a-eng.php
General Influenza Information:
http://www.fightflu.ca/index-eng.html

US Dpt of Agriculture
Swine Flu FAQs.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=200
9/04/0131.xml

US Dpt of Labor/Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
Healthcare workers and workplace guidance.
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_pandemic_health.pdf
Workplace Guidance.
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html

World Health Organization:
Pandemic Alert System/Levels:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html
Swine Flu Page: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Swine Flu Map

Click on the link below for a view of states that have the swine flu. http://snipurl.com/gzu23

Swine Flu

As you are aware, a worldwide outbreak of Swine Influenza (swine flu) has been reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that swine flu is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known exactly how easily the virus spreads between people.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported that no cases of the swine influenza virus have been reported in Pennsylvania. However, the University of Delaware in Newark, Del., has reported that four University of Delaware students have been identified with cases of influenza that meet probable definitions for swine flu.

The following is provided in an effort to keep you informed regarding this situation and to suggest precautions to take in order to minimize risk.

Recommended standard precautionary measures, as outlined by the CDC, include:

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
2. Stay home when you are sick to prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
4. Wash your hands often to protect yourself from germs.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to avoid the spread of germs.
6. Practice good health habits – get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The CDC recommends that people with symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading the illness to others. If you experience severe symptoms, you should seek emergency medical care.

The CDC has established a swine flu website at www.cdc.gov/swineflu, which is updated regularly.