FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Memphis, TN (September 2015) —The Central US Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) is pleased to announce that our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Information Technology (IT) Working Group has received the 2015 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual and Community Preparedness (ICPD) Award, Technology Innovation category.
Being one of eleven awards given by FEMA to honor achievements in Community Preparedness, the Technology Innovation Award is based on the GIS/IT innovations prior to and during CAPSTONE-14,—a multi-year planning and exercise initiative involving the CUSEC Member and Associate States, the Federal Government and Private Sector. During CAPSTONE-14, the GIS/IT working group created data sharing models and tools for decision makers for situational awareness before and during disasters. These systems have since become national models of excellence and were a test-bed to lay the foundation for future improvements for expanding regional and national shared situational awareness for emergency management and first responders.
CUSEC joined ten other award recipients, who were recognized by FEMA, in Washington, D.C. on September 8. During the recognition ceremony, recipients, — including CUSEC’s GIS/IT Working Group— shared their experiences, success stories, and lessons learned with fellow emergency management leaders. CUSEC Member State Alabama’s Be Ready program also received an award for their “Alabama Be Ready Camp”.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the team effort this award represents,” said CUSEC Executive Director, Jim Wilkinson. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of the CUSEC Board of Directors and the hard work of the GIS working group to make the advancements we have with our regional GIS efforts,” he added.
The annual ICPD awards program recognizes outstanding efforts of individuals, programs, and organizations throughout the country working to prepare their communities for emergencies. The winners developed innovative practices and campaigns in 2014 that made outstanding contributions toward making communities safer, better prepared, and more resilient towards disasters. This is the second time that CUSEC has been recognized with an ICPD Award. In 2011, FEMA presented CUSEC with the “Outstanding Drill, Exercise, or Event” award for the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut Earthquake Drill.
For more information on the ICPD Awards, please see the official FEMA Press Release. To register for the October 15, 2015 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, click here. To learn more about CUSEC, visit: http://www.cusec.org/.
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