Northern Command: Religious Support Teams providing hope after Ike http://www.northcom.mil/News/2008/091308I.html

National Guard: Texas Guard leader vows all out effort for Ike http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/archives/2008/09/091208-Texas_Guard.aspx

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using them are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. The U. S. Fire Administration (USFA) would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from improper use of portable generator. For more information on how to use generators safely please visit: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/co/generator.shtm For a PDF Fact Sheet on Generator Safety: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/fswy24.pdf

EPA information on safe drinking water, private well precaution, generator safety and many more helpful topics are available online at http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/learn_more.htm#fs

FEDERAL HURRICANE RESPONSE WEB SITES

Currently there are many listings from non-profits requesting assistance. We encourage you to support the relief efforts with the voluntary agency of your choice. However, if you don't know where to start, we encourage you to visit the http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/ for more information on how you can help. In addition, use the Web to encourage volunteerism, place a Web widget on your Web site.
To learn more about it visit:
http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/about_usafc/newsroom/widgets.asp

FEDERAL HURRICANE RESPONSE WEB SITES

U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA:

Disasterhelp.gov News Feeds: http://www.disasterhelp.gov/news-feeds.shtm

Serve.gov (Volunteers & Donations): http://www.serve.gov/

U.S. Department of Energy: http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/emergency_sit_rpt.aspx

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/

U.S. Department of Labor: http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/emergency_sit_rpt.aspx

U.S. Department of Labor: http://www.dol.gov/opa/hurricane-recovery.htm

Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/hurricane/#ike

Social Security Administration: http://www.ssa.gov/hurricane/

U.S. Department of Agriculture: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=HurricaneInfo.xml

IRS Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=156138,00.html

Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Information: http://www.sba.gov/hurricanes/index.html

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program: http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/

Environmental Protection Agency: For reporting environmental hazards, contact the National Response Center at National Response Center 1-800-424-8802 or visit http://www.epa.gov/epahome/emergenc.htm

HOW TO FIND LOVED ONES

FEMA has launched the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System at https://asd.fema.gov/inter/nefrls/home.htm or via phone at 1-800-588-9822. To make a report for a missing child please call at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: 1-866-908-9570 or visit their Web site at: http://www.missingkids.com/

FEDERAL HURRICANE RESPONSE WIDGET (WEB TOOL) AVAILABLE - PLEASE POST ON YOUR WEB SITE TODAY!

The Federal Hurricane Response widget is a web tool designed to help share information during a major emergency with links to authoritative federal government sites on how to get help; finding friends and family; health and safety information; how to donate and volunteer; and a summary of what the government is doing. The widget is available for anyone to put on their websites, their MySpace pages and their blogs and includes a link to the embedding instructions.

Click here for instructions and the widget: http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/programs/gc_1220128923561.shtm

DISASTER RECOVERY PURCHASING

Under the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program, state and local government entities may purchase a variety of products and services from contracts awarded under GSA Federal Supply Schedules to facilitate recovery from a major disaster. To learn more about the GSA Disaster Recovery program click: http://www.gsa.gov/disasterrecovery

CONNECTING WITH GOVERNMENT

FEMA's Private Sector Office has dedicated personnel at the FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) to work with the business community to answer questions and handle requests for information. To contact the private sector desk at the NRCC please email: FEMA-NRCC-PRIVATE-SECTOR@dhs.gov

The DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection is specifically working with our nation's owner and operators of Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources in the affected region under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (www.dhs.gov/nipp) construct and per the National Response Framework. If you should have a request for information or a need to reach out to this office please contact the National Infrastructure Coordination Center at (202) 282-9201 or email at nicc@dhs.gov (More on the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection here: http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1185203138955.shtm)

The DHS Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives can assist you in locating information volunteering to assist and donation management. Feel free to reach to this office via email at: Infofbci@dhs.gov

Small Business Administration for information on SBA disaster loans: 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT RESPOND DURING A DISASTER? THE NATIONAL RESPONSE FRAMEWORK

The National Response Framework is a guide that details how the Nation conducts all-hazards response- from the smallest incident to the largest catastrophe. This document establishes a comprehensive, national, all-hazards approach to domestic incident response. The Framework identifies the key response principles, as well as the roles and structures that organize national response. It describes how communities, States, the Federal Government and private-sector and nongovernmental partners apply these principles for a coordinated, effective national response. In addition, it describes special circumstances where the Federal Government exercises a larger role, including incidents where Federal interests are involved and catastrophic incidents where a State would require significant support. It lays the groundwork for first responders, decision-makers and supporting entities to provide a unified national response.

In addition to releasing the NRF base document, the Emergency Support Function Annexes and Support Annexes are available on-line at the NRF Resource Center. The annexes are a total of 23 individual documents designed to provide concept of operations, procedures and structures for achieving response directives for all partners in fulfilling their roles under the NRF.

The National Response Framework is available on FEMA's Web site at:
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/

If your company has been awarded a hurricane related contract or subcontract utilizing DCAC services and would like to record the success on DCAC's website, please contact David Carter at (202) 482-6913 or via email at David.Carter@mail.doc.gov