Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: September is National Preparedness Month. Sign Up for ReadyNotifyPA, the Region's Text and Email Alerts System

When situations arise in Philadelphia that may affect you and your family, ReadyNotifyPA alerts you quickly via email or text. Be among the first to find out and stay informed during an emergency.

• Alerts are free; however, your cellular provider may charge for text messaging. 
• You may even choose to get other alerts, such as SEPTA, severe weather, transportation delays, police and health alerts. 
• ReadyNotifyPA is also available in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. So, if you spend time in more than one area you can sign up for alerts from multiple counties. 
• Encourage your family, friends, neighbors and community members to sign up for these important emergency alerts. 
• ReadyNotifyPA is a Ready Region service provided by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force and the emergency management coordinators of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. 

To sign up, simply text PHILA to 411911 or log on to www.readynotifypa.org. You can also scan the code below to automatically sign up.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: September is National Preparedness Month. Prepare Your Pets for Emergencies.

Include your pets in your household emergency plan. If you must evacuate, you should evacuate your pets, too – it’s not safe to leave them behind. Service animals as well as pets are allowed in certain shelters. Plan for your pet's safety now, before an emergency and put together a Pet Emergency Kit with the following items:

• A three-day supply of water, food and containers, non-spill bowls, and a can opener.
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers/cages to transport pets safely and ensure that they cannot escape.
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, veterinarian’s phone number, proof of vaccination, pet license numbers, and microchip numbers.
• Medication for your pet (if needed).
• Plastic bags, paper towels, and wipes for clean-up.
• Photos of your pet.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania State Animal Response Team website at http://sart.cas.psu and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website at www.aspca.org. Additional information on emergency preparedness can be found on the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management website at www.phila.gov/ready.

Hurricane Irene Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Philadelphia

A federal/state Disaster Recovery Center for people affected by Hurricane Irene will open in Philadelphia on Monday, September 19.

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be located in the Packard Building at 111 S. 15th Street, third floor (use the Sansom Street entrance, take the stairs or the chair lift to the left, go past one elevator, go through the doorway with the glass doors and take the next elevator to the third floor). It will open on Monday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. After Monday, the center will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Various federal and state agencies will be on hand to provide assistance to those residents affected by Hurricane Irene.

Those, with insurance, need to contact their insurance agent and file a personal claim before contacting FEMA. Additionally, anyone planning to come to a DRC should register with FEMA first, in order to make their visit more productive and efficient.

Applicants may visit any DRC regardless of where they live or work. Online registry is available at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, you can also register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants with a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. Operators are available seven days a week between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

When applying applicants should have the following information available:

• Social Security Number (including spouse)
• Private insurance information, if available
• Address and zip code of the damaged property
• Directions to the damaged home or property
• Daytime telephone number and current mailing address

There are five private parking lots within two blocks of the DRC and SEPTA routes within one block of the DRC include:

Subway/El
• Broad Street Subway - City Hall
• Market-Frankford Line - 15th St

Bus
• Route 5 - Penn's Landing to Frankford Transportation Center
• Route 9 - Andorra to Center City and Independence Mall
• Route 12 - Kingsessing to Society Hill
• Route 17 - South Philadelphia to Penn's Landing
• Route 21 - 69th St to Penn's Landing
• Route 27 - Plymouth Meeting Mall/Barren Hill to Center City
• Route 31 - Overbrook Park to Center City
• Route 32 - Roxborough to Center City
• Route 33 - Tioga to Penn's Landing
• Route 38 - Independence Mall to Wissahickon Transportation Center
• Route 42 - Wycombe and West Philadelphia to Penn's Landing
• Route 44 - Ardmore and Gladwyne to Independence Mall
• Route 48 - North Philadelphia to Penn's Landing
• Route 62 - Andorra, Roxborough and Manayunk to Center City
• Route 124 - Center City to King of Prussia and Chesterbrook
• Route 125 - Center City to King of Prussia and Valley Forge

Trolley (15th St stop)
• Route 10 - Lancaster Ave
• Route 11 - Woodland Ave
• Route 13 - Chester Ave
• Route 34 - Baltimore Ave
• Route 36 - Elmwood Ave

PEMA Provides Post Flooding Information & Resources

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency:  

Post Flooding Information and Resources

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available For Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway today announced the availability of federal disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) benefits to individuals unemployed, including self-employed workers, due to the effects of Hurricane Irene between Aug. 26-30 or as a result of Tropical Storm Lee and the severe storms, heavy rains and flooding that have resulted since Sept. 3.

 

The federal DUA was made possible after approval of Governor Tom Corbett’s request that affected counties be declared disaster areas.  DUA is available under the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Irene in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Sullivan and Wyoming counties.

 

DUA is available under the federal disaster declaration for Tropical Strom Lee in

Adams, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming, and York counties.

 

Additional disaster-related services are available at local Disaster Recovery Centers which are being established in Bradford, Columbia, Dauphin, Lycoming, Luzerne and Wyoming counties.

 

“The flooding has impacted residents, homes and businesses,” Hearthway said.  “Labor & Industry and the rest of state government are moving quickly to provide the resources our people need to get back to normal and return to work.”

 

Pennsylvanians who are unemployed as a result of either storm can apply immediately for regular state unemployment compensation (UC) if the employment was covered under the state UC law, or for the special federal DUA benefits.

 

DUA is available to individuals who are self-employed or who would not normally qualify for regular state assistance. DUA covers people who, as a direct result of the disaster, no longer have a job, are unable to reach their place of employment, were to begin work and were prevented by the disaster, cannot work because of an injury or illness caused as a direct result of the disaster, or have become a breadwinner or major supporter of a household because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster.

 

Unemployment is considered a direct result of the disaster if it resulted from the physical damage or destruction of the place of employment; the physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its closure by the federal, state, or local government in immediate response to the disaster; or lack of work, or loss of revenues, if, prior to the disaster, the employer or self-employed business received at least a majority of its revenue or income from an entity in the major disaster area that was damaged or destroyed in the disaster or an entity in the major disaster area closed by the federal, state, or local government.

 

Applicants may file for DUA by calling toll free at 877-FILE DUA (877-345-3382), from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.  Individuals using a text telephone (TTY) may call toll free at 888-334-4046.

 

Applicants should be prepared to provide a Social Security Number and, if possible, any documents that show earnings and employment for the tax year that ended prior to their unemployment as a result of the disaster.

 

Claimants must file DUA applications no later than Oct. 14.

 

UC claimants not affected by the storms should continue to file claims online at www.uc.pa.gov.

 

Also, people who need help in returning to work or conducting a work search can contact their local Pennsylvania CareerLink® for assistance. Additional job services are available in person or online through the Pennsylvania CareerLink® website. Visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us for more information or to find the office closest to you.

Philadelphia Receives Federal Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Irene

Mayor Michael Nutter is pleased to announce that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared that residents of Philadelphia, who experienced damages due to Hurricane Irene, are eligible for Individual Assistance as a result of the Presidential Disaster Declaration on September 3.  Individuals and households who suffered damages from August 26 to August 30 may apply for assistance.

“We are grateful for the help and support provided by President Barack Obama, Governor Tom Corbett, and our Congressional delegation for securing this disaster assistance for Philadelphia residents,” said Mayor Nutter.  “This disaster assistance was made possible thanks to a well-coordinated effort from local, state, and federal agencies.”

Other counties receiving the Individual Assistance declaration are Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Sullivan and Wyoming counties.

Individual Assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary rental assistance, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Also, low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration may be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

In addition, FEMA has announced Public Assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities in these Chester, Delaware, Luzerne, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. For a detailed breakdown of the types of Public Assistance available by category visit the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=15592. 

FEMA has also announced that Philadelphia County is eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grants. These grants provide assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards. All jurisdictions in Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.

To apply for assistance, register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile devices at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Philadelphians should stay tuned to local media for information about a Disaster Recovery Center to be opened in Philadelphia in the near future.

For the latest updates from FEMA, follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

President Declares Disaster for Pennsylvania

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the following disaster assistance programs approved for Philadelphia for damages  due to Hurricane Irene during the period August 26, 2011 to August 30, 2011.

Individual Assistance: Assistance to individuals and households.
 

Public Assistance:  Assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Categories A-G.
 

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

To apply for assistance, register at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

For more disaster assistance information related to Hurricane Irene visit: FEMA's Pennsylvania Hurricane Irene page. Stay tuned to local media for the location of a Disaster Recovery Center to open soon in Philadelphia.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Prepare Your Business or Non-Profit Organization for an Emergency

Develop a continuity plan for your business or non-profit organization. To start, download the Continuity of Operations Planning Toolkit and take six simple steps:

• Assess the Hazards That Could Affect Your Organization: Identify the hazards most likely to affect your organization and plan for those first. Consider the potential impacts of all hazards when developing emergency plans, such as whether your facility is vulnerable to flooding, or how a power outage might affect your organization’s ability to do business or provide services. Download the Overview of Natural Hazards that May Affect Philadelphia. 
• Plan to Stay Open: How quickly your company or organization can resume normal operations after a fire, flood, or other emergency depends on emergency planning. Start by outlining how you will preserve or restore critical functions. Download a Continuity Plan Template.   
• Talk to Your People: One of the best methods to ensure your organization’s recovery is to provide for your coworkers’ well-being. Communicate regularly with employees before, during, and after an incident. Make sure they are prepared for emergencies at home with Ready Philadelphia, so they can respond to your organization's emergency.
• Protect your Investment: In addition to protecting your employees, it is important to safeguard your organization’s physical assets. 
• Know how to Respond: Almost every business or organization is required by law to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). The EAP details how your business will address life safety issues in an emergency. If fire extinguishers are required or provided in your workplace, and if anyone will be evacuating during a fire or other emergency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires you to have an EAP. 
• Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region's emergency text and email alert system, visit www.readynotifypa.org, text PHILA to 411-911 or scan the code below.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Develop a Household Emergency Plan.

September is National Preparedness Month and Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management encourages you to talk with your family about emergencies: what to do, where to meet and how to stay in contact during an emergency.

• Fill out a Household Emergency Plan Template.
• Be ready to Shelter-in-Place for at least 72 hours. 
• Have a Go Bag and be ready to evacuate. 
• Decide on two meeting places where household members should meet after an emergency - one right outside or close to your home and anther outside your neighborhood. 
• Practice evacuating from your home using different exits and practice getting to your meeting places. 
• Ask a friend or relative who lives outside of the 215 area code to be your family's emergency contact. If local phone circuits are busy, long distance calls may be easier to make. 
• Plan for everyone in your family especially seniors, people with disabilities, and non-English speakers. 
• Give everyone in your house a copy of your emergency plan and emergency contact information to keep in their wallets or backpacks. 
• Twice a year - check your emergency plan and the expiration dates of your emergency supplies when you change your clocks and fire alarms batteries. 
• Don't forget to include your pets in your emergency plans. Make sure they are prepared to evacuate or shelter-in-place by visiting the Pets page on our website.
• Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region's emergency text and email alert system, visit www.readynotifypa.org, text PHILA to 411-911 or scan the code below.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management at www.phila.gov/ready. 

National Preparedness Month 2011

Mayor Michael A. Nutter kicks off National Preparedness Month in the City of Philadelphia by helping Philadelphia Housing Authority residents prepare for emergencies.

On Friday, September 2, 2011 at Target, 7400 Bustleton Avenue, Mayor Nutter will proclaim the start of National Preparedness Month in Philadelphia and assist members of the American Red Cross Club Youth Council and the Philadelphia Police Explorers Post 991 as they assemble emergency kits for residents of the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). The kits will be distributed at four Emergency Preparedness Workshops in PHA facilities.

“The thought of being caught in a fire, flood, or any emergency can be frightening, but if people aren’t prepared, the results can be devastating,” Mayor Nutter said. “That’s why I am asking all Philadelphians to prepare for emergencies. We all need to take personal responsibility and prepare ourselves, as well as our family.”

Helping the Mayor kickoff a month-long series of emergency preparedness events throughout Philadelphia, will be Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter; John Griffin, Group Assets Protection Team Leader for Target; Michael P. Kelly, Executive Director for the Philadelphia Housing Authority; Everett Gillison, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety; and Liam O’Keefe, Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management.

During the event, Mayor Nutter will present the Philadelphia Housing Authority with a proclamation recognizing September 2011 as National Preparedness Month in Philadelphia.

“The Philadelphia Housing Authority is excited to partner with the City to help our residents prepare for emergencies,” said Michael Kelly of PHA. “We encourage all our residents to take advantage of these Emergency Preparedness Workshops and make sure they are ready for anything.”

Members of the Red Cross Club Youth Council will also be recognized by the Mayor and Judge Hughes for their work creating and running a preparedness camp at the Red Cross.

“The time to prepare for an emergency is now, not when an emergency happens,” said Judge Hughes of the Red Cross.  “This work that the Mayor is leading is critical to the health and well-being of our communities. Last year alone, the Red Cross took care of more than 3,400 local people displaced by disaster, and all of them could have benefited from having some emergency plans and preparations – simple things like photocopies of important documents and a list of their medications and dosages – to help them recover more quickly and easily.”

Following the presentation, various emergency response agencies from Philadelphia will take part in a Public Safety Fair in the parking lot of the Target store. They will provide a variety of emergency preparedness information to the public and recruit volunteers.

“At Target, we are committed to supporting disaster preparedness, relief and recovery efforts to ensure we’re prepared as a community to respond should disaster strike,” said John Griffin of Target. “We partner with federal, state and local agencies to help communities prepare for disasters and we are excited to work with Mayor Nutter and the American Red Cross to help Philadelphia be prepared.”

National Preparedness Month in Philadelphia features of series of emergency preparedness events presented by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. This September focuses on four Emergency Preparedness Workshops at Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) facilities. PHA residents that attend will be eligible to receive the emergency kits assembled by the Mayor as well as members of the Red Cross Club Youth Council and the Philadelphia Police Explorers. The PHA facilities hosting these workshops include the Queen’s Lane Apartment’s, the Raymond Rosen Community Center, the Wilson Park Community Center and Bartram Village.

For more information about emergency preparedness and all the National Preparedness Month events in Philadelphia, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management at www.phila.gov/ready or call 311.