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VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
NEWS ADVISORY
Date: |
4/6/09 |
|
Contact: |
Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer |
Vermont Emergency Management Staff Deploy to Minnesota
Waterbury, VT - Vermont Emergency Management deployed two staff members to Minnesota last week to help that state respond to recent floods. The two were sent in response to a request from Minnesota as part of the national Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
The VEM contingent assisted Minnesota with its web-based information sharing system. That system, known as DisasterLan, helps Emergency Management and other agencies share vital intelligence to streamline the emergency response. Vermont has been using the program for 4 years.
“Emergency management often has no borders,” Vermont Emergency Management Director Barbara Farr said. “When Minnesota made its request we were more than willing to assist in any way we could. And I’m happy to say we were able to help that state with its response."
The VEM staff members are:
Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer - Bosma assisted the Minnesota Emergency Support Functions in the basic integration of the new technology during disasters. This will help Emergency Operations Center personnel gather important information quicker to disseminate to the public and respond to emergency situations.
Bob Weinert, Emergency Management Coordinator - Weinert has been working with DisasterLan since its inception in Vermont and also serves as the official training officer for DisasterLan and other information sharing technology in Vermont. Weinert assisted IT specialists in the implementation of the system and utilization of all its tools; and worked with upper level emergency managers to use DisasterLan in managing an emergency response.
The cost of the trip was paid by the federal government and the state of Minnesota. Bosma and Weinert returned on Saturday.
For more information media can contact the Vermont Emergency Management at 800-347-0488.