FEMA - Dec 4, 2012. One of the dire consequences of any disaster for many people is the loss of important documents. Often, such documents are needed by the FEMA and state emergency services in order to process assistance applications for those who suffered losses or damage to their homes and belongings. To prevent further loss of vital documents, place the originals or copies in a sealable plastic bag or other watertight container and secure that container where it is best protected and can easily be located. It is also a good idea to make copies of vital and important documents and mail them to a friend or relative you can trust to keep them safe and retrievable. Learn more at: http://www.fema.gov/news-release/how-replace-documents-lost-disaster-0  

HSToday - Nov 28, 2012. The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) said printers manufactured by Samsung have a backdoor administrator account hard coded into the device's firmware that could give hackers access to the device and the information it handles. Samsung printers, including those manufactured by Samsung on behalf of Dell, "contain a hardcoded account that could allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected device," the US-CERT advisory stated. The account can be accessed through the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) interface on the printers, according to the advisory. http://www.hstoday.us/single-article/us-cert-warns-of-backdoor-in-samsung-printers/7b73263cc470e6ca53750683f60312d5.html  

FEMA - Nov 26, 2012. Disasters complicate the lives of survivors in many ways. Property damage is obvious, but disasters like Hurricane Sandy have less visible effects. Coping with the trauma and stress of the disaster and recovery process can be a challenge. To increase understanding of disaster related stress, go to www.fema.gov/coping-disaster where there is information on Recognizing Signs of Disaster Related Stress, Easing Disaster-Related Stress, Helping Kids Cope with Disaster and A Child's Reaction to Disaster by Age. Visit http://www.fema.gov/sandy to learn more.   

FEMA - Nov 26, 2012. When a disaster strikes, volunteers are a vital resource. They represent the compassionate face that brings comfort to disaster survivors and provides for their immediate needs. "Working together as friends and neighbors is spontaneous after a disaster" said FEMA Volunteer Agency Liaison Manager Ken Skalitzky. "This approach is really what makes a community whole again." One group of volunteers recently was recognized when Middletown, NJ Mayor Anthony P. Fiore presented the Key to the City to Dave Karr, whose volunteer staff from the Southern Baptist Convention, Oklahoma Disaster Relief, prepared more than 1.5 million meals for disaster survivors.  http://www.fema.gov/news-release/volunteers-are-vital-resource-aftermath-sandy  

HSC - Nov 15, 2012. While hospitals and first responders consistently work together to prepare for natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks and other emergencies likely to result in many injured or ill people, other important groups-primary care clinicians and nursing homes, for example-typically do not participate in local emergency-preparedness coalitions, according to a new qualitative study** of 10 US communities by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC). http://www.hschange.org/CONTENT/1323/.  **The League participated in this study. 

FEMA - Nov 14, 2012. Dozens of FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members have been doing double duty in response to Hurricane Sandy- preparing communities for disasters and helping survivors with their recovery efforts. Check out just a few of the many examples below:
*    Wilton, CT: CERT volunteers manned the town's official emergency shelter, assisted in distributing drinking water to residents at the town fire department, and helped assist in traffic control at residential structure fire.
*    Cohasset, MA: CERT volunteers made phone calls to check that community members were okay and had food, water and batteries. Additionally, the team went to the homes of those individuals participating in the Visual Emergency Notification System, which requests emergency responders check on them in the event of an emergency.
*    Parma, NY: Members of Parma's volunteer Community Emergency Response Team were mobilized on Halloween, canvassing streets in various parts of the city, checking on the welfare of residents. Those without power were either offered rides by CERT members to a nearby shelter to stay warm or were directed to the shelter itself, where additional CERT members were stationed.
*    High Bridge, NJ: CERT members were operating a 24/7 warming center with ice, water, beverages and charging stations available out of a local Rescue Squad Building.
To all of the volunteers across the country who have helped during recent disasters or who continue to help after Sandy - Thank you!