It is that time of year to start thinking about getting your home and office prepared for severe weather.  From May 25 – 31, Virginia residents can shop tax-free for certain preparedness items (that cost up to $60 or generators that cost less than $1000).  You can take a look at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s website for more information and a link to the specific items that fall under this tax-exempt status.

Do you know what to do if you are told to evacuate your office or classroom while at NOVA?  Join the Office of Emergency Management and Planning (OEMP) for its upcoming May Power Hour.  This one hour bring-your-own-lunch training will teach you what to do and how others on campus might react in an emergency evacuation situation which could involve fire, hazmat chemicals, police incident, and severe weather.   As with all Power Hour sessions, this training is open to all faculty, staff, and students.

• Topic:  On May 1st, OEMP staff will train faculty, staff, and students about Evacuations.  Come learn what you and others should do when you are told to evacuate your office or classroom due to a police incident, inclement weather, fire, or other emergency.
• Time:  Noon to 1:00 pm.
• Locations for the May 1st Power Hour are as follows:

Alexandria – AA 418

Medical Education – 352

• Registration:  The training is open to all but we ask that you please register in advance as sessions may be cancelled due to low enrollment.  Faculty and staff can register through the NOVA Academy.  Once logged in, click on the Learning Center, click on Course Catalog, type OEMP into the Search Text box, and then click Search.   Select NOVA – OEMP:  Evacuation, click on the campus you would like to attend, and then click register.  Students can register by sending an email to oemp@nvcc.edu  If you have any questions, you may also contact the office at 703-764-5043.

Unfortunately, due to low enrollment, the April 3rd Sever Weather Power Hour has been cancelled for all locations.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  Please continue to watch our blog for future training opportuninities.

Join the Office of Emergency Management and Planning (OEMP) for its upcoming April Power Hour.  This one hour bring-your-own-lunch training session will be offered at the Alexandria, Manassas, and Medical Education campuses.  As with all Power Hours, this session is open to all faculty, staff, and students.

• Topic:  On April 3rd, OEMP staff will train faculty, staff, and students about Severe Weather Response.  Come learn what you and others need to do when a Severe Weather Watch or Warning has been issued.
• Time:  Noon to 1:00 pm.
• Locations for the April 3rdPower Hour are as follows:                               

                                Alexandria – AA 418

                                Manassas – MH 110G

                                Medical Education – 352

• Registration:  The training is open to all but, due to space limitations, we ask that you please register in advance.  Faculty and staff can register through the NOVA Academy.  Once logged in, click on the Learning Center, click on Course Catalog, type OEMP into the Search Text box, and then click Search.   Select NOVA – OEMP:  Earthquake Response, click on the campus session you would like to attend, and then click register.  Students can register by sending an email to oemp@nvcc.edu  If you have any questions, you may also contact the office at 703-764-5043.

Are you interested in learning more about emergency preparedness?  Have you ever wanted to do more to help others on campus or in your community during an emergency?  Would you like to be involved with helping evacuate a building on campus during a drill and/or an actual fire alarm or assisting others during a Shelter-in-Place event? 

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be interested in a College-wide opportunity led by the Office of Emergency Management and Planning (OEMP) to recruit and train faculty and staff to become Campus – Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) volunteers (C-CERT is in addition to the College’s current building and floor warden programs).  Per Executive Order 41, Governor McDonnell approved twenty hours of work time for any state employees who wish to become C-CERT volunteers.  http://www.governor.virginia.gov/PolicyOffice/ExecutiveOrders/viewEO.cfm?eo=41

The C-CERT program will cover topics such as:  disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, terrorism awareness, and more.  At the end of the training, each person will receive a backpack filled with items to help assist in an emergency and will become part of the growing C-CERT’s on his/her campus.

C-CERT classes will be held from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on the following three Wednesdays:  April 10th, 17th, and 24th.  This session, the classes will be held at the Loudoun Campus in room LD 158.  If you are interested in signing up to become a C-CERT volunteer you must first get your supervisor’s permission.  Also, you must commit to attending all three sessions. 

Below is the C-CERT job description.  If you are interested in taking part in the College’s C-CERT training program, please contact oemp@nvcc.edu for more information on how to sign up. 

Job Title: Campus Community and Emergency Response Team (C-C.E.R.T.) Member

 

Service Area: NOVA Campuses

 

Goal or Purpose of the C-CERT Team Member:

This position provides non-emergency and emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place support within NOVA’s Emergency Operations Plan to faculty, staff, students, and visitors affected by disasters on NOVA’s campuses and centers.

 

Major Responsibilities:

• Assist with special needs evacuation
• Assist building and floor wardens with general evacuation & shelter-in-place processes
• Provide assistance at State Shelter and State Transfer Point if necessary
• Community relations/distribution of emergency information to the public
• Participate in drills and exercises
• Participate in training and preparedness activities
• Support for Emergency Management at College events
• Emergency preparedness

 Qualifications:

• Excellent listening skills
• Reliable with the ability to remain calm during a crisis
• Successful completion of mandatory training

 Training and/or Preparation Required:  C-C.E.R.T. Volunteer Training Curriculum – Mandatory

 

Time Commitment: Three – eight hour classes held on on Wednesdays April 10th, 17th, and 24th.

 

Benefits to the Volunteer:

• Gain emergency management skills/experience
• Achieve a great sense of personal accomplishment