Federal Emergency Management Agency

AmeriCorps Deploys to New Mexico for Wildfire and Flood Response

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 16, 2023

Located in the Santa Fe National Forest, the wildfire reached full containment in late August 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Located in the Santa Fe National Forest, the wildfire reached full containment in late August 2022.
  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms followed, which led to flash flood warnings in multiple counties across North Central and Northeastern New Mexico.
  • AmeriCorps is coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency , State of New Mexico , Neighbors Helping Neighbors and Long Term Recovery Group, a recovery group comprised of faith-based, nonprofit, community-based, private sector and voluntary agencies.
  • “AmeriCorps is dedicated to standing with the people of New Mexico as they navigate this difficult period of recovery,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith.

Scale AI, Port of Ponce Partner to Transform FEMA-Designated Disaster Site into a Smart Port Lab

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 16, 2023

This investment of $2 million represents a groundbreaking opportunity to innovate and transform the Port of Ponce from a FEMA disaster site, to a world class Smart Port Lab.

Key Points: 
  • This investment of $2 million represents a groundbreaking opportunity to innovate and transform the Port of Ponce from a FEMA disaster site, to a world class Smart Port Lab.
  • "The Smart Port Lab from Scale AI is poised to be a game-changer for economic development in Puerto Rico.
  • “Scale supports the world’s most ambitious AI projects, and Scale’s Smart Port Lab in Ponce is no exception,” said Michael Kratsios, Managing Director at Scale AI.
  • “We are thrilled to partner with the Ponce Port Authority to build a first-of-its-kind, world class Smart Port Lab.”

Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association Responds to Need for Safety Information for Spanish Speakers

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 26, 2023

The Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association (PGMA) recognizes the importance of reminding all U.S. residents how to safely use portable generators as a secondary source of power prior to and where severe weather is happening.

Key Points: 
  • The Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association (PGMA) recognizes the importance of reminding all U.S. residents how to safely use portable generators as a secondary source of power prior to and where severe weather is happening.
  • To ensure all U.S. residents, including the 41 million native Spanish-speakers in the United States (plus a further 11.6 million who are bilingual), have access to critical generator safety information, the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association has taken its own steps to ensure Spanish-speakers have access to easily understandable, high-quality generator safety information.
  • Meaning if a Spanish-speaking household has set its browser’s language preference to Spanish, www.takeyourgeneratoroutside.com will automatically present itself in Spanish.
  • Guillermo is sensitive to the needs of Spanish speakers and is passionate about delivering accurate, compelling information to this audience.

Former FEMA Executive Joins IEM to Support Operations in Puerto Rico

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

MORRISVILLE, N.C., Feb. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IEM, the nation's largest woman-and minority-owned disaster recovery and emergency management firm, welcomes Alex Amparo as Director of LUMA Energy Operations. Amparo will serve as a liaison with LUMA and help bolster IEM's response and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.

Key Points: 
  • Amparo will serve as a liaison with LUMA and help bolster IEM's response and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
  • He received the 2021 Presidential Rank Award for his dedication to helping rebuild Puerto Rico and contributions at FEMA.
  • Amparo previously served on a detail as FEMA's Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator for response and recovery operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • While at FEMA, Amparo also led an interagency team in support of field operations as the Senior Coordinating Official for the Southwest Border Coordination Center.

NICB AND GEORGIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER URGE CAUTION AS HOMEOWNERS SEEK CONTRACTORS FOLLOWING RECENT TORNADOS

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 25, 2023

DES PLAINES, Ill., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Deadly tornados moved across the Southeast earlier this month impacting thousands of homeowners and business owners alike. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King is reminding residents to stay vigilant when hiring a contractor, or other vendors,  to make repairs to homes and businesses.

Key Points: 
  • The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King is reminding residents to stay vigilant when hiring a contractor, or other vendors,  to make repairs to homes and businesses.
  • "Unfortunately, bad actors know to target victims at their most vulnerable, such as after a storm-related loss," said Commissioner King.
  • Commissioner King recently announced that he is deploying agency staff to assist Georgia residents by setting up a local Catastrophe Claims Village.
  • NICB and Commissioner King suggest the following tips before hiring a contractor:
    Get more than one estimate.

DISHONEST CONTRACTORS TARGETING HOMEOWNERS AFTER RECENT CATASTROPHIC WEATHER EVENTS

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 18, 2023

DES PLAINES, Ill., Jan. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As Americans enjoyed the holiday season with loved ones, Winter Storm Elliott hit the nation from coast to coast. According to modeling and analysis conducted by Karen Clark & Co, the winter storm caused nearly $5.4 billion in insured losses across 42 states. Separately, record rainfall, flooding, and mudslides continue to wreak havoc on residents of California with some areas of the state recording nearly a foot of rain in the past 30 days. With extreme weather impacting millions of homeowners and business owners nationwide, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is warning residents to stay vigilant against dishonest contractors and scammers.

Key Points: 
  • With extreme weather impacting millions of homeowners and business owners nationwide, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is warning residents to stay vigilant against dishonest contractors and scammers.
  • "Recovering from a catastrophic weather event is a daunting task and homeowners and business owners should not be victimized twice," said NICB President and CEO David Glawe.
  • "After most disasters, dishonest contractors use well-rehearsed, predatory practices to exploit stressed victims, as well as insurance providers, resulting in higher insurance costs for everyone."
  • Deceitful contractors often abuse Assignment of Benefits (AOBs) contracts by convincing homeowners to sign away their rights to any claims under the homeowner's insurance policy.

Wilson & Company Acquires Phoenix-Based HELM, Inc. Employees

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects has announced their acquisition of the employees of Holistic Engineering and Land Management, Inc. (HELM) based in Phoenix.

Key Points: 
  • Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects has announced their acquisition of the employees of Holistic Engineering and Land Management, Inc. (HELM) based in Phoenix.
  • “Wilson & Company conducts our work focused on our client’s specific needs to deliver high-quality projects with lasting Higher Relationships in mind,” said Jim Brady, PE, Wilson & Company president and CEO.
  • Incorporating these new employees into Wilson & Company strengthens the essential water services we provide.”
    The former HELM employees officially joined Wilson & Company in late December 2022, and their expertise will add to and complement Wilson & Company’s water resource team.
  • The merging of HELM employees with Wilson & Company significantly deepens the talented bench of stormwater management professionals,” said Brian Schalk, PE, former HELM managing partner.

Atwell enters into a definitive agreement to acquire Dempsey Surveying Company, expanding presence in Midwest

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Atwell has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dempsey Surveying Company, a land surveying firm based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Key Points: 
  • Atwell has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dempsey Surveying Company, a land surveying firm based in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • This acquisition, the third transaction announced by Atwell this quarter, will expand the company’s presence in Ohio and surveying capabilities in the Midwest.
  • He started Dempsey Surveying Company in 2002 with the sole focus on surveying and providing exceptional service.
  • Last month, Atwell financed the acquisition of Cross Surveying , a 28-person land surveying firm based in Florida, and acquired Ben Dyer Associates , a 55-person engineering firm based in Maryland.

Meridian LMS Among Top 8 Choices for the Construction Industry

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 7, 2022

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Meridian Knowledge Solutions is pleased to announce Meridian LMS was recently named by SoftwareWorld in their 8 Best Learning Management Systems for Construction Industry in 2022. Meridian provides a flexible LMS for construction organizations to administer necessary safety and compliance training to their staff. Meridian LMS' mobile capabilities allow workers to take their training when convenient for them while maximizing their time on the worksite.

Key Points: 
  • Meridian Knowledge Solutions is pleased to announce Meridian LMS was recently named by SoftwareWorld in their 8 Best Learning Management Systems for Construction Industry in 2022.
  • Meridian provides a flexible LMS for construction organizations to administer necessary safety and compliance training to their staff.
  • ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Meridian Knowledge Solutions is pleased to announce Meridian LMS was recently named by SoftwareWorld in their 8 Best Learning Management Systems for Construction Industry in 2022 .
  • Meridian provides a flexible LMS for construction organizations to administer necessary safety and compliance training to their staff.

Meridian Knowledge Solutions Marks 25th Anniversary With Community Food Event

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 2, 2022

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Meridian Knowledge Solutions recently celebrated 25 years of providing best-in-class learning solutions to private and public sector customers. To commemorate this milestone, Meridian participated in Britepaths' Food4Thought program which assists students experiencing food insecurity over the weekends with backpacks of food to take home.

Key Points: 
  • Meridian Knowledge Solutions Marked Its 25th Anniversary by Giving Back to Food Insecure Students in Fairfax, VA. Meridian participated in Britepaths' Food4Thought program which assists students experiencing food insecurity over the weekends with backpacks of food to take home.
  • ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Meridian Knowledge Solutions recently celebrated 25 years of providing best-in-class learning solutions to private and public sector customers.
  • To commemorate this milestone, Meridian participated in Britepaths' Food4Thought program which assists students experiencing food insecurity over the weekends with backpacks of food to take home.
  • Meridian employees filled seven shopping carts full of shelf-stable food and assembled more than 252 food packs for students within the Fairfax, Virginia area.