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Volume 20, Issue 11, November 2018
Month in Review
QuakeSmart Covers Ground in October

Thursday, October 11, drew the FEMA Ready Business Workshop-QuakeSmart team to Benton, AR, an area recognized as a potential hot spot for seismic activity to deliver continuity planning using the Ready Business - QuakeSmart Toolkit . Businesses, emergency managers, professors, and public officials gathered to discuss how to prepare for potential business disruption in the wake of earthquakes.

Jeff Avery, Saline County Judge opened the workshop followed by presentations by Martha Kopper, Geologist, Arkansas Geological Survey; Scott Bass, Division Director, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management Response and Recovery; Dennis Cavanaugh, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service, Little Rock; Timothy Lee, Associate Extension Specialist, Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center and Melody Daniel, Deputy Public Information Officer, ADEM.

Later that month, the QuakeSmart team headed to Albuquerque, NM, for a second QuakeSmart Workshop on October 18. During the meeting, attendees joined more than 50 million people around the globe in the  Great ShakeOut Drills.  Read More >
FLASH Partners at Center of the Resilience Conversation

As the peak of the 2018 hurricane season closed in, news organizations turned to the FLASH Partnership before, during, and after the storms for public safety, property protection, and resiliency expertise. As a result, national, state, and local news outlets focused on the need for stronger building codes and the survivability of affordable housing.

As Hurricanes Florence and Michael unfolded, national news outlets, including The Washington Post, USA Today, Bloomberg, Kiplinger, MSN, and The Weather Channel featured interviewed FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson, Legacy Partner FEMA and IBHS. ( Click here to view the full coverage summary )

The frontpage Post feature story quoted a statement from FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson: "We have evidence that we can construct affordable housing that is resilient. Often the difference between a roof that stays on and one that flies off is the connection method."

Leslie went on to say in Bloomberg, "Hurricane Michael's devastating impact on Florida can only strengthen the urgent and profound case for better building code adoption and enforcement."

In other news stories, FLASH provided survival tips, reminded the public to develop or refresh hurricane plans, explained the effective use of sandbags, and highlighted facts versus myths about hurricane preparations and survival.

View the news impact report here.
USAA and FLASH Team up for National Preparedness Month

On October 24 and 25, FLASH team members Lindsey Rogers and Mike Rimoldi continued participation in the series of Founding and Legacy Partner USAA-sponsored outreach activities by joining emergency management and other agencies in Tampa, FL for the USAA National Preparedness Month Expositions.
 
During the events, FLASH offered USAA employees information on disaster safety, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and winter weather as well as the #HurricaneStrong Program Guide and materials designed to support the military community that USAA serves.
 
"USAA supports Homeland Security's Ready Campaign by being a champion of National Preparedness Month. This year's theme focused on "Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How," said Jeanette Woodly, Sr Business Continuity Advisor, Enterprise Resiliency, USAA. "The event is designed to educate and empower our employees and their families to be prepared and take action when an emergency or disaster occurs."
Partner Spotlight
Mark Taylor, Bryan Wert, Leslie Chapman-Henderson, Arthur Parks, Erika Peterman, Dr. Forrest Masters, Kurt Koch, Robert Andrews, Steven Cooper, Elizabeth Gulick, James McGowan, Alpa Swinger
BASF's Erika Peterman Named Board Member of the Year

On November 7, FLASH presented Erika Peterman, Vice President Construction North America for BASF's Performance Materials, with its Board Member of the Year award for her many contributions including those toward  #HurricaneStrong , a national collaboration that encourages hurricane safety and building resilience. She has been a FLASH board member for four years.

"From the start of her tenure on our board, Erika embodied all the qualities that define excellence in leadership," said Leslie Chapman-Henderson, President and CEO of FLASH. "She brings intellect, energy and a passion for innovation that strengthens the organization as well as the disaster resilience movement. She helps us envision our future and has made invaluable contributions to our strategic planning process. She is beloved by the team and her fellow directors and we look forward to receiving the benefits of her service in the future."  Read More > 
Partner News

FEMA Building Science releases updated Quick Reference Guide

FEMA Building Science Branch is pleased to announce the release of a recently updated publication Quick Reference Guide: Comparison of Select NFIP and 2018 I-Code Requirements for Special Flood Hazard Areas (2018).
 
The updated Quick Reference Guide illustrates the similarities and highlights the differences between the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum requirements and the requirements of the 2018 International Codes® (I-Codes®) and ASCE 24-14, Flood Resistant Design and Construction (ASCE 24), a standard referenced by the I-Codes. The illustrations reveal some of the key similarities and differences between foundation types, lowest floor elevations, enclosures below elevated buildings, and utilities requirements of the NFIP and I-Codes for most residential, commercial and industrial buildings (classified as "Flood Design Class 2" structures by the building codes).

The Quick Reference Guide is available here.
Simpson Introduces New 
Hurricane "Tie"

Simpson Strong-Tie is now offering the first hurricane tie sized for engineered wood. The H1.81Z hurricane tie is specially sized and designed for use with 1 3/4" laminated veneer lumber (LVL) roof rafters. This connector installs on a wall's top plate and is ideal for resisting higher load demands, such as heavy snow loads, while also providing lateral resistance in a seismic event. 

Learn more about the H1.81Z and why it's a cost-effective solution for tying down an LVL roof here .
U.S. Resiliency Council featured on PBS

The U.S. Resiliency Council is featured in the new PBS KVCR / Empire original investigative educational series, The Whistle: Are We Ready for the Big One. Are We Ready for the Big One  is the first installment of a four-part series that dives into earthquake science and history as well as our readiness in Southern California to deal socially and economically with a cataclysmic earthquake.
Lightning...Is your home, business or community in the line of fire?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) today's home fires burn faster than ever. In a typical home fire, residents may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time smoke is visible or an alarm sounds. Understanding the risks and knowing how to react quickly and wisely can mean the difference between life and death in a fire event. 
Collaboration Opportunities and Upcoming Events
Hosting Opportunity - 2019 QuakeSmart

Would you like to have a QuakeSmart event in your community? Now is the time to request one!
 
FLASH is currently seeking host communities for a limited number of QuakeSmart events to be presented during 2019. The one-day  Ready Business - QuakeSmart Program  allows users to take action to protect employees, protect customers, and help ensure business continuity as well.
 
Once completed, the Ready Business Program will provide attendees with the tools to plan, take action, and become a Ready Business by addressing preparedness and mitigation for your Staff, Space, Systems, Structure, Surroundings, and Service.
 
In order to host an event, you must have the availability of a venue capable of holding up to 100 attendees. Additionally, a volunteer planning committee composed of state and local officials is required to be able to help FLASH staff secure speakers for the day and coordinate the event. 

Click  here  for more information or contact Mike Rimoldi at  Mike@flash.org.
Save the Date: Texas State Collaborative

FLASH will soon announce dates for the next Texas State Collaborative (TSC) meeting in Austin, Texas in January or February of 2019.
 
Formed in 2012 the TSC addresses the most pressing issues affecting the Texas built environment. It supports three goals to create disaster-resilient communities including increasing public safety through enhanced awareness of Texas weather risks, fostering strong, modern state and local building codes, and supporting effective enforcement of state and local building codes by well-trained and adequately resourced professionals.
 
If you are not on the TSC email list and would like to attend, email info@flash.org or call (877) 221-SAFE today.
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