"Mitigation, Planning, Response and Recovery"
is the mission statement for Emergency Management
United States Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters. The National Strategy for Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 served to mobilize and organize our nation to secure the homeland from terrorist attacks. This exceedingly complex mission requires a focused effort from our entire society if we are to be successful. To this end, one primary reason for the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security was to provide the unifying core for the vast national network of organizations and institutions involved in efforts to secure our nation. In order to better do this and to provide guidance to the 180,000 DHS men and women who work every day on this important task, the Department developed its own high-level strategic plan. The vision and mission statements, strategic goals and objectives provide the framework guiding the actions that make up the daily operations of the department.
Ready Gov is a common sense framework designed to launch a process of learning about citizen preparedness. One of the primary mandates of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is to educate the public, on a continuing basis, about how to be prepared in case of a national emergency – including a possible terrorist attack.
Take some time to stay informed about how to react to even unlikely scenarios. You should be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene.
For the most current information and recommendations, check back frequently or call 1-800-BE-READY for a free brochure.
Please check our weather page for lots of helpful and possible life saving info. Also visit the National Weather Service link below to see what they have to offer.
National Weather Service - Omaha
Please check out some info on NOAA (Seward County) weather radios on the Weather Page.
ATTACK WARNING Signal
An attack warning is a 3 to 5 minute wavering tone or siren, or a series of short blasts on horns or other devices. The ATTACK WARNING signal means that an actual attack or detected missile launch against the United States has been detected and that protective action should be taken immediately. The ATTACK WARNING shall be repeated as often as deemed necessary by local government authorities to obtain the required response by the population, including taking protective action related to the arrival of fallout." Per federal guidance, this signal will be used for no other purpose and will have no other meanings. ATTENTION or ALERT Warning Signal: An ATTENTION or ALERT Warning signal is a 3 to 5 minute steady signal from sirens, horns, or other devices. This signal may be used as authorized by local government officials to alert the public of peacetime emergencies. In addition to any other meaning or requirement for action as determined by local government officials, the 'ATTENTION' or 'ALERT' signal shall indicate to all persons....'Turn on your radio or television and listen for essential emergency information.'
From FEMA CPG 1-17 "Outdoor Warning Systems Guide"
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
On February 28, 2003, President Bush issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5. HSPD-5 directed the Secretary of Homeland Security of develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sectory, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents. You can also find information about NIMS at http://www.fema.gov/nims/
The following are direct links to FEMA for the NIMS (aka: IS-700) certification. Following is a list of all personnel that needs to be certified:
- Fire/EMS
- Law Enforcement
- Elected Officials
- Dispatchers
- Public Works
- Roads Department
- Health Officials
IS 700
- FEMA NIMS 700NIMS 700 testNIMS 700 course manual (PDF)
- NIMS 700 online test
IS 100
- FEMA NIMS 100 (course manual links are also available on this page) NIMS 100 test
- NIMS 100 online test
800 numbers
Emergency Planning & Community right to know 800-424-9346
Environmental Justice Hotline 800-962-6215
Hazardous waste Ombudsman 800-262-7937
Indoor air quality 800-438-4318
Radon Hotline 800-767-7236
Toxic Release Inventory- EPCRA 800-535-0202
Waste Ombudsman 800-262-7937
CHEMTREC 800-424-9300
CHEM-TEL, Inc. 800-255-3924
Union Pacific RR, Risk Mgmt. Emergency 888-877-7267
Other sites of interest
- Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
Great source for training programs and state emergency news. Nebraska Emergency Management-reporting hotline 877-297-2368 - Seward County Local Emergency Operations Plan
- Centers for Disease Control, Bio-terrorism facts and advisories
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
For the Big Picture on national emergency management issues - National Weather Service - Valley
The best site for Nebraska and regional weather information. - HAZMAT Guides
MSDS & Lists of Toxic Substances. Look up hazardous and dangerous chemicals and their properties. - Radiological Issues (REPP)
- American Red Cross