Announcements

FDLE Launches BusinesSafe Website

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:39:00 GMT

"Businesses in Florida play a vital role in the state's domestic security efforts. BusinesSafe is designed to provide you with tools to protect your assets and help safeguard the citizens and visitors of Florida..."

Visit the website to learn more...

http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/getdoc/fdebe58e-54e5-47a6-957d-f0d48de2b726/BusinessSafe-Home.aspx

Economic Impacts of the Florida Fire Service

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:35:00 GMT

"Florida’s Fire Service and fire equipment manufacturers provide extensive benefits to the state. Such benefits include rapid response, public safety and peace of mind, active structural and wildland fire suppression, disaster services and relief, and preventative services. Florida also boasts high-end fire equipment manufacturing for export and in-state use..."

Download the full report...

Economic Impacts of the Florida Emergency Services

Spring 2010 Newsletter Online

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:43:00 GMT

Download the Spring 2010 Newsletter from the Banner Center for Homeland Security & Defense. Click HERE.

Banner Center Recognized by FDLE Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:28:00 GMT

The Employ Florida Banner Center for Homeland Security and Defense held its 2nd Advisory Council meeting Feb. 3-4 in conjunction with the FDLE Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) in Orlando.

Col. David Dees, Chair of the Advisory Council, presented the goals, priorities and services of the Banner Center to the CJSTC and received a unanimous vote of support for the efforts the Center has achieved to date.

"The opportunity to present to the Standards and Training Commission and receive their support is a very beneficial accomplishment demonstrating the level of respect the Banner Center has gained within the law enforcement community," said Dees.

Mobile Training Unit Launched

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:28:00 GMT

As part of the Preventative Radiological Nuclear Detection (PRND) mission established in 2007, the Banner Center for Homeland Security & Defense launched a mobile training unit to conduct a certified Preventative Radiological Detector (PRD) course throughout the State of Florida. On Dec. 8 and 9, the Banner Center PRD Mobile Unit was deployed to the Tampa Police Training Facility and trained over 60 law enforcement officers representing the Tampa Police Department, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Sheriff’s Office, and Citrus County Sheriff’s Office whose agencies are being assigned PRD units. The success of this training has prompted an additional training to be conducted in Feb. 2010.

The Banner Center PRD Mobile Unit includes 10 certified trainers, two administrative staff, 21 PRD units, two Radiological Isotope Identifiers (RIIDs), participant guides, training props and radiological sources for classroom and practical exercises. The Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control (DOH-BRC) assists the Banner Center PRD Mobile Unit providing radiological sources and personnel. Currently the PRD course is a one-day, eight-hour session combining classroom instruction and practical exercises intended to provide a primary screener in law enforcement and/or public safety to employ department issued PRDs within the boundaries of their agency’s jurisdiction and/or operational environment. The primary screener is trained and qualified on proper operation of the PRD including supporting procedures, legal issues, and guidance for response actions for abnormal results, alarms or conditions.

Florida ‘s law enforcement, firefighters and public safety employees trained in the use of PRDs are assigned to assist in securing the safety of Florida’s citizens and its infrastructures at events such as the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and other large venue events.

2009 Great Florida Fire School a Success

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:27:00 GMT

More than 240 firefighters from around Florida descended on the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex in Fort Pierce Nov. 4-8 to participate in the 2009 Great Florida Fire School. Hosted in partnership by the Banner Center for Homeland Security and Defense, the Treasure Coast Fire Chief’s Association and the St. Lucie County Fire District, the week-long program provided skills enhancement, new concepts and creative solutions within the fire service. Over 70 volunteer instructors, committee members and staff made the training opportunity possible.

Twenty-five classes were offered ranging from four hours to 40 hours and included topics such as: Basic Extrication & Vehicle Stabilization, Emergency Use of Elevators, New Car Technology, Hurricane Glass Design and Entry, Basic Wildland Firefighting, Basic Rappelling, and Live Fire Training Burn Simulator.

Support and contributions from industry and area sponsors aided the success of this program and included a vendors expo area.

The 2009 sponsors included: Star and Shield Insurance Exchange, Firefighter.com, Hydro-Stat, Inc, Division of Forestry, Safety and Boot Center, Bev Smith Toyota of Fort Pierce, Fifth Alarm Fire Specialties, Inc., Florida State Firefighter’s Association, American Fire Sprinkler Association, Professional Firefighters, and the Banner Center for Homeland Security & Defense.

Indian River State College and the Banner Center for Homeland Security and Defense is pleased to announce that it will host the Great Florida Fire School for the next two years.

The 2010 Great Florida Fire School will be held November 3-7, 2010. For more information visit www.greatfloridafireschool.org.

Local Officials Receive Emergency Management Training

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Local officials from across south Florida, Georgia and Texas participated in the National League of Cities-Emergency Management Training Program Jan. 25 and 26 to learn the roles and responsibilities of local officials during an emergency, disaster or terrorist attack.

Hosted by the Banner Center for Homeland Security and Defense, in partnership with Indian River State College, the free Department of Homeland Security workshop taught commissioners, councilmen, heads of law enforcement and fire/rescue and high-level municipal workers to identify hazards unique to their individual community, analyze their emergency management structure and learn where to find available state and federal resources to support the community before, during and after an emergency or crisis. The result is a faster, more efficient and coordinated response to a crisis situation, an understanding of when to declare an emergency, how to successfully recoup funds after an emergency, legal obligations, resources through the Small Business Administration (SBA), the role of FEMA, and how to prepare a Hazards, Risks & Vulnerability Analysis.

Participants left the workshop with a stronger understanding of inter-agency communication and information sharing and technical assistance for improved emergency management plans and reciprocal agreements.

DEP Training Explores Multi-Agency Capabilities

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:32:00 GMT

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) – Environmental and Forensics Response Teams (ERT/FRT) conducted a field exercise Oct. 14-15 at the Indian River State College Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex. It was sponsored by the Banner Center for Homeland Security and Defense. Teams spent one full day in a classroom setting prior to the exercise and returned to the classroom to analyze the responses.

Developed to test on-site incident management, communications, evidence collection and hazardous materials response and decontamination capabilities, the exercise engaged a team of sixty-five members from agencies throughout Florida and utilized the resources at the Public Safety Complex to practice and implement response strategies to a hazardous materials terrorism incident.

The exercise was designed to analyze strategies within a no-fault framework to identify strengths to be maintained and built upon, potential areas for further improvement, and to support development of corrective actions.

Working together in the field, the ERT and FRTs gained a better understanding of each others’ capabilities.

Students Assist in Haiti Relief Effort

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:34:00 GMT

When I landed in Port-Au-Prince I didn’t know what to expect so I kept repeating over and over again not to expect anything. But from the moment I stepped foot in the airport, I knew something was wrong. Terminals were cracked, soldiers and aid workers from around the world were milling about and sadness and exhaustion prevailed.

My two-week deployment to Haiti as a translator for the NGO On Eagle’s Wings was an experience of a lifetime and one I will never forget. Every day was a 12-hour day that seemed like we were on autopilot. Even through heat, the smell of sewage and decay, the dust and all the other challenges, no one complained how difficult it was, or how tired we were; we did what we were sent there to do. Our mission was to help the people of Haiti and our team was unified. From the communication officer to the logistics coordinator, everyone knew their jobs and did them without hesitation. As a student in the Emergency Management Program at Indian River State College and a participant in the Atlantic Hope and SVETLINA humanitarian relief training exercises, I was fully prepared for the task I had been called to do in Haiti.

Some days were better than others. Some were just heart-breaking. One day, a young mother said to me " I do not want your food, just give me some for my baby. " We didn’t have baby food, but I remembered that most baby food is rice based, so I told her take the rice I gave her and cook it, smash it then give it to the baby. Haiti is a very lucky country. The generosity from the world is huge.

Atlantic Hope 2010

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:35:00 GMT

IRSC’s 5th annual Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Preparedness Field Training Exercise, ATLANTIC HOPE, is planned for March 4-7 and will test the ability of disaster relief and humanitarian studies participants by applying what they have learned about the planning and execution of relief missions in a full-scale simulated disaster environment. The exercise is planned collaboratively through a consortium of partners representing IRSC, The Citadel, West Point, University of Florida, West Missouri State University, Northern Oklahoma College and Salve Regina University. The Banner Center for Homeland Security and Defense is pleased to sponsor this event.

Banner Center for Homeland Security & Defense Hosts Crisis Communications Workshop

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Emergency managers learn at crisis management conference in Fort Pierce

By Susan Burgess

Originally published 01:00 a.m., January 26, 2010
Updated 09:28 p.m., January 26, 2010

FORT PIERCE — Emergency managers on the Treasure Coast spent Monday and Tuesday learning how to reduce the impact of disasters and make recovery efforts more efficient.

The two-day crisis management course focusing on advance planning and impact reduction was sponsored by the National League of Cities at Indian River State College’s new Safety Training Complex in Fort Pierce.

“We did a survey of our members after Hurricane Katrina and found they wanted help planning for all types of disasters,” said Jim Weed, program manager for the National League of Cities.

With $1.8 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for workshops, the league set out on a 40-stop tour of the nation.

Doug Anderson, now a consultant but formerly the St. Lucie County administrator, is one of the instructors.

The 1999 wildfires in the Gatlin Boulevard area of Port St. Lucie were Anderson’s first taste of hands-on crisis management.

“It really showed us what we could do as a team, and what we learned that day has carried through the years,” he said as he recalled a horrific scene where walls of flame were jumping streets, homes were exploding and electrical transformers were blowing up like grenades.

Aid came from all corners of the state as fire trucks and heavy equipment rolled into the area as fast as they could. The fire was contained by nightfall he said.

Cooperation and knowing who to call for help was key in both that experience and the 2004-2005 hurricanes, he said.

“For example, after the Port St. Lucie fire, hydrants were installed in that area in case of future fires. Cell phones don’t work during disasters, so St. Lucie County bought radios and in a disaster everyone can communicate.”

Fort Pierce Mayor Bob Benton said the workshop gave participants a chance to “look at what succeeded and what failed, and find ways to make it work better. I think the biggest thing we can take from this workshop is how to streamline relief efforts with all agencies,” he said.

Chris Mora, director of public works for Indian River County, said learning what the Federal Emergency Management Agency requires for reimbursement is important.

For instance, public works must have an agreement with gated communities before going in to remove debris.

“You can go out now and get those agreements in hand so that you aren’t standing there having to think up what to do when a disaster hits,” he said.

Stuart Fire Chief Lori Sunderman said she learned how all the agencies fit together.

“People call the fire department for just about anything,” she said. “We specialize in immediate response, so we don’t necessarily know where to send people for long term recovery. Now I have a better understanding of what a disaster assistance program consists of so I can refer people to it.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans to both homeowners and businesses after a disaster, said Kathy Cook, who presented information about the agency’s disaster assistance. “About 80 percent of declared disasters are too small for FEMA, so we come in to help.”

Although no hurricanes have hit the area recently, this is no time to get complacent, said Port St. Lucie public information officer Ed Cunningham.

“We learned to be more thorough in our preparations and planning, covering every angle on the emergency situation so we can recover more quickly with fewer bureaucratic delays.”

Fall 2009 Newsletter Available

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:50:00 GMT

Get the latest news, staff additions, and more in our Fall 2009 newsletter...

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Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Available (August 2009)

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:56:00 GMT

Here are the minutes and report from the August 19, 2009, meeting of the Advisory Council held at the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex, along with the latest member list...

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Banner Center Advisory Council Meeting (August 2009)

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:15:00 GMT

Employ Florida Banner Center for Homeland Security & Defense

Advisory Council Meeting

August 19, 2009

9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Indian River State College

Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex

4600 Kirby Loop Road – Room 302

Fort Pierce, FL

A G E N D A

9:30 AM Welcome and Introductions –

Steve Huntsberger and Col. David Dees

9:45 AM Confirmation for Chair (Col. Dees) and Nomination of Vice Chair –

Steve Huntsberger

10:00 AM –

11:00 AM Updates

· Banner Year Deliverables - Brenda Rante

· Banner Center Training Updates – Evan Berry

o APOC

o Train the Trainer - PRD

o Department of Health

o Fort Pierce Police Department

o PRD Trainings

· 2009 Governor’s Executive Tabletop Exercise – Col. David Dees

11:00 A.M. –

12:30 Noon Breakout Groups for Task Teams – Evan Berry and Brenda Rante

12:30 PM –

1:30 PM Lunch

1:30 PM –

2:00 PM Tour/Demo of Emergency Operations Center - Dr. Paul Forage

2:00 PM – TCPSTC Tours – Evan Berry and Brenda Rante

3:00 PM Next Advisory Council meeting Feb. 2010

Adjournment

Ready Campaign Launches Social Media Initiative to Encourage Americans to Prepare for Emergencies

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:37:00 GMT

Release Date: January 16, 2009

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Ready Campaign, in partnership with The Advertising Council, is introducing a series of new social media tools today to further engage Americans in taking steps to prepare for emergencies. The initiative is an extension of Resolve to be Ready in 2009, a nationwide effort designed to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in 2009.

The social media tools will engage Americans in taking the three simple steps communicated in the Ready Campaign: (1) Get an emergency supply kit; (2) Make a family emergency plan; and (3) Be informed about the types of emergencies that can happen in your area and their appropriate responses.

At the center of the initiative is a new Web page, "Be Prepared," which features an interactive widget that provides users with updates on emergency situations, local emergency contact information, an instructional video, emergency kit checklists and guidelines on how to better prepare for an emergency. Users can also access a clickable map to find contact information for state and local government agencies, where they can learn more about specific emergency information in their communities. Additionally, the widget helps users stay up-to-date on the latest Ready activities through Twitter news feeds (by following the user name “ReadydotGov”). The widget can be posted to social networking profiles, blogs, wikis and personal homepages.

The program also includes a tool with which visitors can create their own comprehensive Family Emergency Plan and share important information with their family and friends. Furthermore, visitors are encouraged to share their story on preparedness by submitting a video to the Ready Campaign Video Blog. The new Web page can be accessed by clicking on an online banner on the homepage of www.ready.gov, the Ready Campaign Web site...

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1232126867101.shtm

TCPalm.com - National defense training comes to IRSC - 1/16/09

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:31:00 GMT

FORT PIERCE — Whether it's for a local New York Mets game or the Super Bowl in Tampa, Indian River State College and the federal government are training security agents from across the country in national defense.

The college joined with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Energy this week for a 3 1/2-day course at the college's new Vernon Smith Public Safety Education Building at the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex on Kirby Loop Road...

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jan/16/national-defense-training-comes-to-02/

WPTV NewsChannel 5 - Super Bowl security starts at I.R.S.C. - 1/15/09

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:26:00 GMT

Video:
• WPTV NewsChannel 5 - Super Bowl security starts at I.R.S.C. - 1/15/09 Noon
• WPTV NewsChannel 5 - Super Bowl security starts at I.R.S.C. - 1/15/09 Evening

FT. PIERCE, FL -- Indian River State College's new Homeland Security Complex has only been open for a few weeks, but it's quickly become the first stop in the fight against domestic terrorism.

About 30 police officers from across the country are in town for a 3 1/2 day training session. They're learning from federal officers, including agents from the Dept. of Homeland Security.

Their goal is simple, but vitally important:

"To prevent a catastrophic attack on our country using a radiological or nuclear agent," says Tom Bourne, Deputy Assistant Director of the Department of Homeland Security.

Instructors teach the officers how to use nuclear detection equipment - some that can fit into a backpack, some as small as a pager.

The equipment emits a "beep" when it gets near a source of radiation, even a low level source such as a pacemaker will register on the sensor.

This sensitivity allows officers to simply stand at a check point as cars pass by and know if there's a nuclear device inside.

For training drills, the officers have to survey one car after another, just as they would if the cars were entering a stadium parking lot at a sporting event. They also simulate the front gate, so they can check out every ticket holder...

http://www.wptv.com/news/local/story/Super-Bowl-security-starts-at-I-R-S-C/v7uftoV2ckOcdP-Bec4xxw.cspx

WPEC NEWS 12 - Super Security - 1/15/09

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:56:00 GMT

Video:
• WPEC NEWS 12 - Super Security - 1/15/09 - Noon
• WPEC NEWS 12 - Super Security - 1/15/09 - Evening

WPBF-TV 25 - Homeland Security Training For Super Bowl In Fort Pierce - 1/15/09

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:12:00 GMT

Video:
• WPBF-TV 25 - Homeland Security Training For Super Bowl In Fort Pierce - 1/15/09 - Noon
• WPBF-TV 25 - Homeland Security Training For Super Bowl In Fort Pierce - 1/15/09 - Evening

Homeland Security is training for next month's Super Bowl in Tampa with an advanced training session in Fort Pierce...

http://www.wpbf.com/video/18488030/

TCPalm.com - Indian River State College provides security training for national defense - 1/15/09

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:47:00 GMT

Whether it’s for a local New York Mets game or the Super Bowl in Tampa, Indian River State College and the federal government are training security from across the country in national defense.

The college joined with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Energy this week for a 3 1/2-day course at the college’s new Vernon Smith Public Safety Education Building at the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex on Kirby Loop Road.

Thirty students in law enforcement, emergency management, public safety, and medical and fire rescue from the state and across the country searched for radioactive materials throughout the 50-acre complex on Thursday in what college officials hope to be the first of many national defense seminars...

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jan/15/indian-river-state-college-provides-security-train/

Agroterrorism Course Offered at Public Safety Complex

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:40:00 GMT

On February 26, 2009, the Office of Agricultural Emergency Preparedness of the Florida Dept. of of Agriculture and Consumer Services will offer...
Understanding the Dangers of Agroterrorism

Banner Center Advisory Council Meeting (December 2008)

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:42:00 GMT

Advisory Council - DECEMBER 2008 Meeting Minutes

BCHSD Launches New Website

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:29:00 GMT

The Employ Florida Banner Center for Homeland Security and Defense launched a new website today as part of its mission to become a one-stop center for education, training, and information for Florida's workforce on homeland security, emergency response, and terrorism.

It will be a greatly expanded resource providing secure login for various disciplines with their own forums on various topics; blogs; training center links; publications library; career resources; and more—a portal for Law Enforcement Officers, Corrections Officers, Fire and Rescue Professionals, Emergency Management Professionals, Military, Government, Health, Education, Volunteers, and Citizens.

BCHSD Partners With FP&L

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:50:00 GMT

March 2007

The Employ Florida Banner Center for Homeland Security and Defense is happy to announce our partnership with Florida Power & Light Company! We will be creating a program for their personnel and local authorities that will focus on Incident Command training. The training will be module based and cover the following points:

Module 1: Classroom Instruction

This portion of training will cover an overview of the Incident Command System and how it would specifically relate to this training.

This virtual reality training uses a 300 degree projection with integrated tracking and varied scenario responses based on decisions made.

Module 3: Field Training Exercise & Review

This portion of training will include a simulated incident command post set-up in response to a significant event at a critical infrastructure. A response and recovery plan must be created to defuse the emergency. An after-action review will be conducted post exercise.

We expect this program to pilot its first classes by early summer of this year. If you would like more information on this training, please contact our office at (772) 462-7966.

BCHSD Visits DHS

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:52:00 GMT

The Employ Florida Banner Center for Homeland Security and Defense's Steve Huntsberger and Evan Barry went to Washington, D.C., in early August to visit with officials with the Department of Homeland Security. The main purpose of the trip was to talk about Preventive Radiological/Nuclear Detection project in Florida. The PRND was formed because the Law Enforcement Terrorism Program (LETPP) had identified numerous gaps in the area of Preventive Radiological/Nuclear Detection. In the Fall of 2007, the Domestic Security Oversight Committee voted to establish a PRND Sub-Committee within the State Working Group.

Banner Center Advisory Council Meeting (June 2008)

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:41:00 GMT

Advisory Council - JUNE 2008 Meeting Minutes