The latest news, information and highlights from CDPS.
The Public Safety Post
Dear CDPS members,
September is National Preparedness Month. It’s also an incredibly busy month for emergency workers responding to wildfires, floods, hurricanes and more.

Many CDPS members contribute to preparing for, preventing and responding to disasters and emergencies in our communities. You’ll read about some of their work in this newsletter, which also contains information about steps you can take to be more prepared. As a public safety agency, preparedness starts with us. And it doesn’t end when September draws to a close; there are many ongoing steps we encourage you to take to improve your readiness, whether that’s putting your emergency plan in place, practicing your family fire escape route, protecting yourself and your family against identity theft, or getting involved in a local CERT team.

I hope you will never personally experience a disaster, but as the stories shared this month indicate, it’s a likelihood we prefer to plan ahead for.

– Executive Director Stan Hilkey
Policy Update


Calendar


Communications: Tell Us How We're Doing!
One of the goals of CDPS executive leadership has been to improve communications, along with increasing unity and cross-departmental understanding and collaboration. Please take this short survey to provide feedback on some of the communications efforts related to these goals.

Statewide Employee Engagement Survey
The State of Colorado’s fourth Employee Engagement Survey will launch Oct. 16, so leaders can learn how our employees feel about working for the state. Keep an eye out for more information, and please take the time to complete the survey when it comes out!
Purchasing Update
CDPS has set standard limits for all commercial cards:
PCards:
  • Cycle limit: $20,000
  • Single transaction limit: $4,999
Central Travel:
  • Cycle limit: $10,000
  • Single transaction limit: $4,999

Additionally, for security reasons, the State has decided to use chip/PIN authorization on Commercial Cards. If you are a Cardholder, you must set up a PIN on each of your cards in order to make purchases from most merchants. To set up your PIN, call 1-877-905-1855. The automated system will ask for your account information in addition to your verification ID, which is the last four digits of your employee ID.  

Finally, CDPS has decided to eliminate Individual Travel Cards and only use Central Travel Cards for all travel-related purchases except meals.  An email went out on Sept. 25 with instructions for all Individual Travel Cardholders to follow in order to complete the transition to Central Travel cards by Nov. 15.

For questions, please contact commercial card program administrator Niki Holland: 303-239-5744.
What You Need to Know: Tips from CBI's Fraud Experts on Equifax Data Breach
The recent announcement regarding the data breach at Equifax has many people concerned about how to respond and protect your identity from ID thieves. Equifax is just the most recent of a number of data breaches that have impacted the majority of Americans. Here are some steps recommended by the Identity Theft and Fraud experts at CBI -- take them to protect yourself and your family from ID thieves and data breaches.

  • Assume your information has been breached and take action.
  • If you already have a credit monitoring/ID theft protection service, contact them immediately to determine what assistance they can offer you.
  • Obtain a copy of your credit report.
  • Set up a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze with the Credit Reporting Agencies. 
  • Notify ALL of your financial institutions that you may be the victim of a data breach and see what protections they have available to protect your accounts.
  • Monitor your accounts for any suspicious or fraudulent activities.
  • Check your mail for anything that may indicate that someone is using your ID to try and obtain credit.
  • Opt Out of pre-approved credit offers. 

DHSEM Members Lead Colorado Deployment to Assist with Hurricane Responses
On Sept. 9, DHSEM deployed 24 emergency management professionals from across the state to Florida. The 24 individuals broke into four teams to provide emergency operations center support as part of an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request for Hurricane Irma.

DHSEM employees who deployed included: Field Services Manager Bruce Holloman; Regional Field Managers Christe Coleman, Kevin Kuretich, Drew Petersen and Cory Stark; and Logistics member Tim Washington.

Logistics Section Chief Jeremy Utter deployed to the FEMA National Resource Coordination Center in Washington D.C. for Hurricane Harvey and remained there to assist with Hurricane Irma.

Additionally, field services staff Nate Whittington deployed to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as part of the FEMA Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Nate assisted in setting up a Field Hospital on St. Thomas and supported coordination efforts for the evacuations of Critical Care Patients from the Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico. 

National Preparedness Month: Get Involved!
National Preparedness Month culminates with National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30. We encourage you to get involved and be part of something larger! Organize your friends and neighbors to have a PrepareAthon party to exchange ideas on emergency kits, family communication plan, evacuation plans and more.

Find out more and get preparedness tips at readycolorado.com .
You're Invited: Join us at CDPS Day of Giving on Oct. 11!
On  Wednesday, Oct.11 , CDPS will host a Day of Giving featuring two opportunities to "get your giving on" and make a difference in our community.

First, Director Stan Hilkey and Deputy Director Bec Spiess will kick off the department's annual Colorado Combined Campaign (CCC) with  Stan and Bec’s CCC Coffee Shop from 9-10 am  at the main entrance to 700 Kipling St. in Lakewood. Drop by to make your Combined Campaign charitable pledge, enjoy a cup of coffee and/or bagels, mingle with CDPS colleagues and enter to win prizes.

Second, the Colorado State Patrol has coordinated a CDPS  employee blood drive from 9 am-2 pm  at the Kipling Complex.  Bonfils  will be on site with their mobile blood donation center. CDPS employees showed overwhelming interest in this giving opportunity, so all time slots are already full. Sgt. John Ehmsen is maintaining a  wait-list  for those who would like to fill in for cancellations or express their interest in participating in future blood drives.

Can't make the events on Oct. 11? Click here for details on how you can still participate in the Colorado Combined Campaign. Additionally, the State Patrol will be participating in  "Tip-a-Cop" events in Aurora and Arvada on Oct. 21  that offer an opportunity to give time or donations in support of the Special Olympics. Contact Sgt. Rob Madden to sign up for a shift or find out more.
DFPC Deploys Drones to Assist with Deep Creek Fire Response

On Sept. 12, the DFPC Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting (CoE) and members of the DFPC Wildland Section used two unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to scout the western edge of the Deep Creek Fire in Routt County to gain perspective on fuels in that area of the fire.

The UAS operators coordinated with the fire's Incident Management to ensure safe operations while meeting the objectives of the flights. The use of the UAS allowed access into areas within the fire that may be otherwise unsafe for firefighters on the ground due to fire-weakened trees and snags. During one of the flights, the UAS found a coal seam fire that was located within the fire perimeter south of Routt County 56.

Watch the video below to see footage from one of the flights, and click here to read more!
Colorado Releases Guidelines on Sexual Assault Reporting Options
A statewide group of experts led by the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice have released a helpful new set of guidelines to help those who work with victims of sexual assault understand Colorado's sexual assault reporting laws.

" Sexual Assault Reporting Options: Guidelines for Response " was compiled by the statewide Forensic Compliance Team (FCT), a group of multidisciplinary stakeholders from across the criminal justice system, medical, and advocacy sectors. The document contains step-by-step information on Colorado’s three reporting options for sexual assault survivors, payment options, advocacy recommendations, evidence testing, and other useful information related to the support of sexual assault survivors in Colorado.

Colorado State Patrol Establishes Roadside Tributes to Fallen Troopers
Since the inception of the Colorado State Patrol in 1935, 27 men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for the State of Colorado.

On April 21, 2016, Governor John Hickenlooper signed House Bill 16-1060, concerning Roadside Memorials for Fallen State Patrol Officers. This bill permanently entrusts that fallen Colorado State Troopers who have given their lives in the line of duty will be honored with a simple sign to remind motorists of the life lost. 

Beginning in August 2017, the Colorado State Patrol has been honoring fallen troopers by reaching out to their families to arrange a tribute to unveil the sign with their family member’s name.

Click here to read about the members who have been honored. The remaining members will have their signs unveiled in future months.
Leadership Strategies Institute Graduates Inaugural Cohort, Launches Year 2
On Aug. 31, CDPS celebrated the graduation of 39 members of its inaugural Leadership Strategies Institute (LSI) and the launch of the second group of participants.

CDPS Executive Director Stan Hilkey, Executive Director Bec Spiess, and directors from each of the department’s five divisions attended the event.

The Institute engages formal and informal leaders in developing a culture of collaboration, communication and innovation. Each “cohort” participates over the course of a full year, with a focus on specific issues and desired outcomes; ultimately, the aim is to develop a “brain trust” for developing systems and strategies for breaking down silos and creating common leadership standards and consistent and efficient processes across the department.

“The vision of this effort was to bring everybody together, to share common goals, to share a common understanding of what the Department is and what it’s about," Director Hilkey said. "It is a remarkable thing as a leader to have a vision and see it materialize before your eyes.”

Update on Court Decision Regarding Sex Offender Registry
You may have seen news coverage that a federal judge ruled that Colorado’s sex offender Registry violated the rights of three sex offenders on the statewide database. The registry is maintained by CBI. To provide additional clarification on this issue, the following is the official statement released by the CBI and the Attorney General's Office with regard to the ruling.

"The CBI is working in concert with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office regarding the ruling involving the Colorado Sex Offender Registry. Meanwhile, the CBI will continue to lawfully maintain the state's Sex Offender Registry. Please refer to the statement issued by Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman for additional information."
 
On Sept. 14, Attorney General Coffman announced that her office planned to file an appeal on behalf of CBI. Read her announcement and statement here.
Taking the Fear out of Audits: Get to Know Compliance & Professional Standards
Let's face it: there is a lot of fear and uncertainty around the term "audit." In order to reduce these anxieties and provide clarity around the CDPS audit process, the Compliance and Professional Standards Office (CPSO) is available to come meet with your team to provide a 15-30 minute presentation and discussion. 

During the presentation, you will learn about:
  • CPSO's role in CDPS
  • What standards are used as the basis for an audit
  • How are audits selected / what factors drive a program review
  • What questions are asked in an audit 
  • When/if you should reach out to request an audit
  • And much more.  

If you are interested in having CPSO come out and do a presentation, please contact Chief Compliance Officer Susan Redmond.
Brush with Disaster: E mployees Share Hurricane & Terrorist Attack Experiences

CDPS members often respond to or provide support during disasters and emergencies. But what happens when disaster strikes far from home, and their loved ones are in the path of danger? In this video, two CDPS employees share their families' brushes with disaster and what it was like to be on the sidelines as other first responders came to the rescue.
Local Emergency Planning Committee Conference Draws More than 100 Attendees
The 2017 LEPC Conference was a tremendous success. DHSEM staffers played an enormous role in coordinating the annual event, which was held in Breckenridge. More than 100 attendees enjoyed a wide variety of topics such as Chemical Safety Board Case studies, Bolder Boulder PRND Operations, Oil and Gas hazards planning, Rural HAZMAT response and legislative updates. The conference also included "Ignite" sessions, which are short discussions on a variety of topics. These sessions allow for more focused questions and dialogue on a particular topic.
CDPS Agencies Partner up on Evergreen Safety Day
On August 26, the Colorado State Patrol and Division of Fire Prevention and Control assisted Evergreen Fire in preparing members in their jurisdictions for disasters and emergencies. While DFPC and CSP provided great information and interactive activities outside, DHSEM’s Fran Santagata provided the “Are You Ready? “ general disaster preparedness training inside. This event educated over 500 people in a wide variety of topics from fire safety and CPR to bicycle safety.
Helpful Tips
Better, Faster, Safer
Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence Go Hand-in-Hand

Success in the workplace takes a deft combination of skills, competence, emotional intelligence and mindfulness. What is the difference between mindfulness and emotional intelligence, and how do they support each other? Find out in this article from the Harvard Business Review.

Winter is Coming - Are You Prepared?
Snow has already fallen in the high country, which means it's time to take a few minutes to make sure you are prepared for Colorado's fast-changing weather and conditions.
  • Winterize your vehicle, including checking fluids, making sure you have proper tire tread and/or snow tires, and updating your emergency kit with warm clothes, a blanket, a shovel and an ice scraper.
  • Check the batteries on your home smoke alarms and practice your household evacuation and meet-up plan.
  • Make sure your home has carbon monoxide detectors and that they are functioning.
  • Talk with your supervisor about what you will do in the event of a snow-storm -- are you required to report for duty? Are you approved to work remotely if you can't make it to the office?
  • Develop a family communications plan that you can use in case of any emergency, whether that's a blizzard, home fire, or man-made disaster. Include a back-up plan for how you will communicate and where you will meet up if cell phones are lost, dead, or not working.
  • Check on elderly and disabled neighbors to see if they will need your assistance after storms. Volunteer to assist with snow removal if you have time.
Do you have ideas for news stories, events, "People on the Move", or other content to share with all CDPS employees? Submit your story ideas, details and photos by the 10th of the month to your Division PIO or to Patricia.Billinger@state.co.us .