Emergency Management Alliance of Indiana

Pre-Conference IMS Tour of Pagoda Command!

Book Your Group/Corporate Rate | Marriott International Thank you for the choosing the Indianapolis Marriott East! Please note that we have a 72-hour cancellation policy. Cancellations received after this time will be subject to a penalty of 1 night’s room and tax. We hope you enjoy your stay!

Received notice from Howard County EMA Director Janice Hart this morning that the former Howard County Director Larry Smith passed away. Larry Smith had been on the front lines coordinating emergency responses for Kokomo and Howard County for nearly 33 years.

Winter is upon us, with temperatures dipping into the teens this week. It's important to remember to stay safe when using alternative heating sources in your home. Keep space heaters away from curtains, furniture, and other flammable materials, and never leave them unattended. Keep an eye on your fireplace and make sure it's properly ventilated. Stay warm and safe this winter!

Stay prepared this winter by having a vehicle emergency kit! Include items like warm clothes, blankets, a shovel, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. And don't forget to check your battery, tires, and fluids before hitting the road.

If you are traveling this holiday season ask a neighbor to watch your home while you’re away, and don't forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it's a sure sign you're gone. learn more on how to stay safe @ getprepared.in.gov

If you're worried about someone else, here are three ways to check-in on them and start a conversation with them.

Need additional support? Call or text 988 to get connected to help from 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

If you're going with a real tree this year, make sure you water it daily and keep it at least three feet from any heat sources.

Dried out trees can be a big fire hazard and we want to make sure Hoosiers have a safe Holiday season!

Make sure to prepare for emergencies that may arise while traveling in winter weather by having a vehicle emergency kit ready. Learn more @ getprepared.in.gov

While out shopping take note of emergency exits, restrooms and exit routes. Take note of secondary exit points that may be less crowded. Remember that it may be difficult to take advantage of the main exit if an emergency occurs.

Want to know how to help first responders at a traffic accident? slow down and move over to help professionals work to clear roadway incidents safely.

Did you know Thanksgiving Day ranks as the No. 1 Day of the year when home cooking fires occur, according to the National Fire Protection Association? To learn how to stay safe while cooking, go to getprepared.in.gov

Congratulations are in order for Region 5s very own Allison Moore, CEM! Allison is from Indiana and is the 2022 International Association of Emergency Managers-USA Career Excellence Award recipient. We’d like to reemphasize that she strives to make a difference in the profession, her community, and the nation to make it a better place for the next generation.

She’ll be receiving her award shortly in the convention Center Chatham Ballroom ABC before the final plenary session speakers for day 1.

The weather may be warm for this time of year, but if you are planning on starting up a fireplace this winter, always remember to have the chimney regularly cleaned and inspected by a certified professional.

Thanks to experts, we know the most effective ways to protect ourselves from — getting vaccinated and boosted, testing when exposed or sick, and monitoring community levels. Taking appropriate steps will keep us on the right track by reducing the spread and protecting against serious illness.

Know your county's level 🚦 go.usa.gov/xSUsH
Get your bivalent booster 💉ourshot.IN.gov

: Health officials announce 1st flu death of season, urge Hoosiers to get vaccinated

Hundreds of Hoosiers become sick from influenza each year, and some cases prove fatal. Those most at risk include pregnant women, young children, people with chronic illness, people who are immunocompromised and the elderly.

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine: https://bit.ly/3ekMdEz.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3yIPvIA
Read release: https://bit.ly/3VLxpzN

Prepare for Earthquakes with the Great ShakeOut
Earthquakes can happen anywhere without warning. So before the floor beneath you starts shaking, dishes tumble from the floor, and pictures fall from the wall, practice what you need to do to stay safe. One way to do this is joining the annual Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, which takes place on Thursday, October 20 this year.
During earthquake drills, participants practice three basic actions that can keep them safe: Drop, cover, and hold on.
Here’s how to practice these actions:
1. Drop where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and reduces your chances of being hit by falling objects.
2. Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall.
3. Hold on until the shaking stops. If you are under a piece of furniture, hold onto it with one hand and keep holding on even if it shifts. If you can’t get under something, hold onto your head and neck with both arms and hands.
These actions can be modified for people with mobility concerns:
• If you use a cane, sit on a chair or bed and cover your head and neck with both hands. Hold your position until the shaking stops.
• If you use a walker or wheelchair, lock the wheels. If using a walker, carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and cover head and neck with your arms, a book or pillow. Hold your position until the shaking stops.
If you live in high-risk areas like Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, or the Mississippi River Valley, you are encouraged to take additional precautions in preparing for an earthquake:
• Protect your home by securing heavy items in your home like bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
• Create a family emergency communications plan that has an out-of-state contact.
• Come up with a plan for where to meet if you and your loved ones get separated.
• Make a supply kit that includes a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle, and enough food for several days.
Click here to register for the Great ShakeOut on Thursday, October 20!
To learn more, visit FEMA’s protective actions page for earthquakes, which offers research-based actions and advice on earthquakes. More tips are available at Earthquakes | Ready.gov.

Happy — and Safe — Holidays
Ghosts and goblins aren’t the only things that can be scary as Halloween kicks off the holiday season. From fire hazards to online scams, following these tips can help you stay safe during the eventful time of year between Halloween and New Year’s.
• Rather than a candle, consider lighting up your jack-o’-lantern with a small, battery-operated flameless one. If you do illuminate it with a traditional candle, remember to blow it out before going to bed or leaving home.
• Only use nonflammable decorations indoors.
• Whether you’re making holiday cookies or the Thanksgiving turkey, practice cooking safety to avoid fires at home. Stay alert in the kitchen and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen.
• Water your Christmas tree regularly. Dry branches are a fire hazard. Turn off the tree’s lights overnight or when you’re not home.
• Place your menorah on a sturdy, non-flammable surface out of the reach of small children and pets. Never leave lit candles unattended.
• When you shop online for holiday gifts, be cautious and avoid scams by shopping with trusted retailers. Be on the lookout for emails that seem too good to be true. Don't click on links!
• Learn the weather and climate risks for the area to which you’re traveling.
• Be sure to consider how COVID-19 may affect your holiday plans. Learn about the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and get county-specific updates on COVID-19 levels.
For more information on holiday safety, visit Ready.gov’s Holiday Safety Social Media Toolkit. You will find tips, graphics, and other content for promoting holiday safety and preparedness. Have a wonderful holiday season!

If you use an electronic device to communicate, charge and keep backup batteries or power banks in your emergency kit so you can converse with emergency responders and stay mobile.

For Hurricane Information go to the National Hurricane Center site
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml

National Hurricane Center US Dept of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Hurricane Center 11691 SW 17th Street Miami, FL, 33165 [email protected]

In just 3 weeks, we will hold the 2022 EMAI annual conference. This year's event is shaping up to be the best one yet, and it is not too late to sign up. Visit our conference webpage for agenda and more information. http://indianaema.org/2022-conference.

Special thanks to our silver, gold, and platinum sponsors for helping us make this possible.

It is crucial to dress appropriately in warm, durable clothing during extremely cold weather conditions. Decrease the chances of suffering from cold weather illnesses by wearing:

If you feel an earthquake starting DROP. COVER. HOLD ON. For a full list on adapting this method to your family’s needs go to https://bit.ly/IDHSEarthquake

As a part of , today’s tip is to use a secure file-sharing solution. These allow all your files to stay protected in one place. Check out these best practices for secure file-sharing from BusinessNewsDaily https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6827-file-sharing-security.html

When you think of earthquakes in the US, you probably think of anywhere but Indiana, but did you know that parts of Indiana fall on two different seismic zones? Learn more @ https://bit.ly/GetPrepEarthquake

If your family unit has babies or pets, make sure to include them in the emergency kit as well. You can find how to create an emergency pet kit https://bit.ly/IDHSPetPrepared

Having a hard copy of family and emergency contacts' full names and phone numbers in your emergency kit can help you get in contact with or identify your loved ones if you cannot access your phone's contact list.

Did you know there is still time to sign up for the 2022 EMAI Conference, and early-bird rates are still in effect through Friday! We have a great lineup Visit us at http://indianaema.org/2022-conference to book your seats and hotel arrangements.

Special shout-out to the Indiana Emergency Response Commission who voted to approve this as a reimbursable educational opportunity for Local Emergency Planning Committees across Indiana.

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