This message was sent to ##Email## November 9, 2017   |   Home  |   About  |   Membership  |   Education & Training  |   Resources  |        TOP NEWS FEMA rethinking ban on disaster aid to church buildings The Associated Press via U.S. News & World Report When disaster strikes, houses of worship are often on the front lines, feeding and sheltering victims. Yet churches, synagogues and mosques are routinely denied aid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency when it comes time to repair or rebuild their damaged sanctuaries. Pressure is mounting to change that after this year's series of devastating hurricanes damaged scores of churches in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.  READ MORE Can an early warning prevent earthquakes becoming disasters? National Geographic Between 1980 and 2014 more than 850,000 people were killed by earthquakes and their fallout. These disasters are estimated to have cost the global economy more than $750 billion. By studying what happens when an earthquake hits a city, we have learned valuable lessons that are enabling engineers to design safer and more resilient buildings for the future. However, existing buildings remain a dangerous problem and while earthquake damage can be minimised it cannot be prevented. We must prepare people for the worst.  READ MORE    SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by Travelers Public entities are planning to use drones in many ways Many public entities discuss cyber coverage with their agents, but remain unprepared Travelers’ insights for public entities: managing the risks of smart technology for transportation and mobility. Law enforcement risks are front page news, and body-worn cameras are here to stay. Are you cyber-prepared? Put your data and network security to the test.   From co-worker to boss: Tips to manage former peers By Catherine Iste Congratulations! You finally got that long-overdue promotion (and raise). Now all that time spent complaining about being underpaid and that the boss is an idiot can be time spent trying to get the co-workers you complained to and with to do their work. Here are a few useful tips to make what could be an awkward transition from co-worker to boss smooth and successful. The first and most important step is to get your bearings.  READ MORE Why Atlantic hurricanes don't form in winter and spring (or do they?) Forbes The record-breaking 2017 hurricane season is drawing to a close. It has been one that scientists, policymakers, and scholars will talk about for decades. Because I am an atmospheric scientist and professor, people often ask me why the Atlantic hurricane season spans June 1st to November 30 (or conversely why do we not see hurricanes in the winter and spring). Here is the answer.  READ MORE 8 things every school should know about preparing for natural disasters EdSurge In the past few months, hurricanes have flooded Houston, battered parts of Florida and left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. Throughout October, wildfires swept through California wine country, damaging more than 14,000 homes and causing billions of dollars in damage. It's been a bad year for many communities across the country — and the schools that serve them have not been exempt.  READ MORE     .  SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT     After deadly wildfires, FCC orders wireless carriers to improve emergency alert systems Governing A potentially lifesaving emergency alert system that Sonoma County officials decided against using during the deadly fires that swept through the area last month will finally get a long-planned upgrade, after nearly a yearlong delay by the Trump administration. All wireless carriers will be required to more specifically target the areas where cell phones would receive Wireless Emergency Alerts, or WEAs. Sonoma County officials said they did not send such an alert as the fires raged late on the night of Oct. 8 because it would have hit phones all across the county, possibly causing panic and traffic jams that would have blocked people from getting in and out of the area.  READ MORE Improving public safety during severe weather, other disasters Homeland Security News Wire Our ability to observe and predict severe weather events and other disasters has improved markedly over recent decades, yet this progress does not always translate into similar advances in the systems used in such circumstances to protect lives. A more cohesive alert and warning system that integrates public and private communications mechanisms and adopts new technologies quickly is needed to deliver critical information during emergency situations. At the same time, better understanding of social and behavioral factors would improve the ways we communicate about hazards, inform response decisions such as evacuations, develop more resilient urban infrastructure, and take other steps to improve weather readiness.  READ MORE   Excess Liability Insurance exclusively for Public Entities States Self-Insurers Risk Retention Group, Inc provides quality, cost-effective excess liability coverage and superior, personal service to our public entity owners in order to promote a long-term risk management partnership. MORE   Nations better shielded from disasters, Pacific most at risk – study Reuters Many nations have become less vulnerable to natural disasters ranging from cyclones to earthquakes because of improved preparedness, but Pacific island states remain most at risk, a study showed. Climate change is raising risks by increasing the numbers of severe downpours, storm surges or heat waves, according to the report issued on the sidelines of U.N. talks on climate change in Germany.  READ MORE    MISSED AN ISSUE OF RISKWATCH? VISIT AND SEARCH THE ARCHIVE TODAY. As wildfires expand, fire science needs to keep up The Conversation In the month of October nearly 250,000 acres, more than 8,000 homes and over 40 people fell victim to fast-moving wildfires in Northern California, the deadliest and one of the costliest outbreaks in state history. Now is the time to wrestle with hard questions. Why did communities that were deemed safe suffer major damage? Should they be rebuilt in the same way? Are there better ways to fight extreme fires and limit their impact? How can emergency planners prepare better for scenarios where full evacuation is not possible?  READ MORE Infographic: How much does a bad hire cost? By Jennifer Gladstone Hiring the right person for your job is one of the most important decisions you can make. A bad hire can lead to everything from attendance issues and dips in productivity to potential theft and lost customers. It can mean extra work for current employees and they struggle to make up for lost time while hiring someone new. We took a look at the actual numbers associated with the cost of a bad hire in this infographic. It covers everything from job board costs to salary breakdowns.  READ MORE Small churches could beef up security after Sutherland Springs shooting, thanks to new Texas law The Dallas Morning News via Emergency Management The mass shooting at a small Texas church that became the worst in the state's history has ignited a debate over how far churches should go to ensure the safety of their congregations. While some worry bringing guns into churches could disturb the peaceful and welcoming environment, others say the actions have jolted them into action.  READ MORE    TRENDING ARTICLES Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most. What is the Stafford Act and why might it be making disaster relief worse? (Federal News Radio) FEMA chief: Feds spending $200 million a day on hurricane, wildfire recovery (The Hill) How long will Facebook be your company's friend? (By Emma Fitzpatrick) Northern California wildfire recovery may take years, officials say (Voice of America) Museums are better prepared than most Americans to survive the next natural disaster (Grist) Don't be left behind. 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