The most recent update from the National Parks Service on February 2nd 2015 states that the Kilauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and from its East Rift Zone.  The leading tip of the lava flow that began on June 27th is still about a mile from Highway 130 in the area west of the Pāhoa Fire and Police Stations. The flow has not advanced since Sunday February 22nd, although breakouts are active upslope. Monitoring instruments at the summit and around Puu Oo show no significant changes.

  

Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and individuals who may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors. No brush fire activity has been noted recently and fire conditions will be monitored closely.

  

The more practical implications of the stalled lava flow is that the moratorium on the use of housing assistance vouchers in the lower Puna area has been lifted on Monday, February 2nd.  The restriction was put in place in October 2014 when it was thought that the lava might cross Highway 130 severing resources to that community. 

  

The vouchers cover a portion of the residents rent, and are provided through the federal Housing and Urban Development Section 8 program.  To inquire about Section 8 housing, call 959-4642.

  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced it is seeking applicants for its Youth Preparedness Council. The Council supports FEMA's commitment to involving youth in preparedness-related activities and provides an opportunity for young people to offer their perspectives, feedback and insights on how to help make America more resilient.

  

"Young people play a key role in advancing emergency preparedness and informing our efforts," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "The Youth Preparedness Council offers FEMA the unique opportunity to benefit from the perspectives of young people, while also empowering them to engage with their communities to increase readiness."

  

FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council was formed in 2012 to bring together youth leaders from across the country who are interested and engaged in advocating youth preparedness. Council members are selected based on their dedication to public service, their efforts in making a difference in their communities, and their potential to expand their impact as national advocates for youth preparedness.

On January 24th the Hawaiian Humane Society held an Emergency Pet Shelter Training. Hands-on training was provided with a mock shelter set up to teach how you can help keep people and their pets together during a disaster. With twenty-eight (28) locations on island, Oahu's emergency pet shelters open adjacent to general population shelters on public school grounds. For more information as well as a checklist for your pet's disaster preparedness kit, you can see the brochure at http://www.hawaiianhumane.org/sites/default/files/DisasterPrepBrochure.pdf. You can also stay up to date with the Hawaiian Humane Society's many events at http://www.hawaiianhumane.org/Events.

Red Cross First Aid App: The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Available for iPhone and Android devices, the official American Red Cross First Aid app gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it's never been easier to know first aid. For more information visit http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/first-aid-app.

 

Red Cross Hurricane App: Be ready for severe weather with Hurricane by American Red Cross - A hurricane tracker app available for iPhone and Android. Monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out - a must have for anyone who lives in an area where a hurricane may strike or has loved ones who do, http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/hurricane-app.

  

The Hawaii Department of Defense has a few upcoming trainings you can keep an eye out for.  You can register for these trainings at the State's Eventbrite site while seats are still available.   The link to the Eventbrite site is at the end of this article.   

Pediatrics Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness

Dates/Location: March 17-18 at the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio 

This course addresses pediatric emergency planning and medical response considerations and needs identified in a 2010 report by the National Commission on Children and Disasters. Based on the needs assessment, a training gap exists for emergency responders, first receivers, and emergency management personnel reducing their effectiveness in responding to pediatric patients and their unique needs/considerations. The course addresses pediatric emergency planning and medical response considerations through a combination of lectures, small group exercises, and a table-top exercise.

National Sports Safety and Security MGT 412

Dates/Location: April 21-22 at Aloha Stadium Hospitality Room

This course provides assistance to sport venue managers to prepare and/or enhance an evacuation plan to assist emergency responders in implementing flexible and scalable evacuation activities (i.e., evacuation, sheltering in place, or relocation). These emergency activities might occur in isolation or as a result of a larger, multi-entity response initiative. The course is highly innovative in that it builds multi-agency collaboration by delivering critical evacuation planning information. The user will also obtain a "take away" package with visualization and CDs from lessons learned, and templates for customizing their own evacuation plan.

Campus Emergencies Prevention, Response and Recovery

Dates/Location: July 21-22 at the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio

This course provides participants with an understanding of and ability to navigate through the difficult aspects of dealing with campus emergencies involving natural or man-made events, including acts of violence. The course consists of small, problem-based, integrated group activities that require a coordinated, integrated approach to solve. Through tabletop scenarios, course participants will observe a developing incident and respond in a manner consistent with currently established campus and jurisdictional emergency operations procedures.

To see a complete list of trainings, or to register, click on the following link:

http://www.eventbrite.com/o/hawaii-homeland-security-training-opportunities-6910741921 

Following the retirement of Dr. Glenda Nogami-Streufert, the County of Kauai Civil Defense Agency is now under new leadership.  On February 1, 2015, Elton S. Ushio assumed the position of Civil Defense Manager.

 

Ushio has been with the Kauai Civil Defense Agency for 11 years, serving in prior positions of Plans and Operations Officer and Grant Coordinator.  Prior to working in Civil Defense/Emergency Management, Ushio was with the County's Agency on Elderly Affairs, the local Area Agency on Aging.

 

Born and raised on Kauai, Ushio is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and Kauai High and Intermediate School.  His active volunteerism includes 21 years with the State of Hawaii Hunter Education Program, serving as Chief Instructor of the Līhu'e Kendo Club, and also serving multiple terms on the governor-appointed Department of Land and Natural Resources Kauai Aquatic Life and Wildlife Advisory Committee.

 

"I assume the position of County of Kauai Civil Defense Manager with a profound sense of duty, humility and gratitude, and I look forward to continuing to work with our many county, state, federal, private-sector and community partners.  Sincere thanks to my parents, family, friends, mentors and professional colleagues, as well as to Mayor Carvalho and the entire County of Kauai team," Ushio states. 

   

He is married to Dr. Dawn Ushio, Staff Veterinarian at the Kauai Humane Society and has three sons - Gavin, Keegan and Evan Ushio.