WSEMA!
It was pretty exciting to see NASA launch into space this week. This will be the first time astronauts return to the vicinity of the moon in more than 50 years! The mission could travel farther from Earth than any human ever has, breaking the Apollo program’s distance record. I mean, come on, you have to admit…that is pretty freaking cool!
I promised myself I wouldn’t make any Katy Perry and astronaut jokes, but I don’t think I’m strong enough to resist the gravity of it. 😉 *even I groaned a little at that one*
In all seriousness, this mission is a reminder of what’s possible when a lot of smart people come together and do something incredible. Learn more about the mission and crew here: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/our-artemis-crew/
Let’s do this!
Association News
- WSEMA Conference Call for Presentations: The call for presentations is officially live! I know many of you have some great ideas and lessons learned coming out of the December floods. This is a great opportunity to share your experience and highlight the work happening across the state. Don’t be shy…submit those ideas.
- Awards: So…out of everyone this goes to…only two people responded last week. I’m not saying I’m taking it personally, but I am starting to wonder if my ego can handle acknowledgment in spirit but not response. 😊
- All joking aside, we’ve been discussing adding awards to this year’s conference – think Emergency Manager of the Year, Emerging Emergency Manager, Organization of the Year, and others. Is this something we should run with? I’d genuinely love your input.
Emergency Management in Washington
- Low Snowpack Impacts: The one and only Ted Buehner wrote an article about the dismal mountain snowpack and the impacts later this year. He stressed the impacts are important for the EM community to understand and be fully aware heading into summer.
- WA State Healthcare Situational Awareness Brief: The number of hospitalized patients with influenza and RSV have varied the past week but remain low overall. COVID+ inpatient numbers also remain low. Adult and pediatric ED visits remain elevated with hospitals reporting numbers consistent with recent trends. Pediatric ICU and acute bed availability both increased slightly this week, while adult ICU and acute bed availability showed a marginal decrease. Hospital and ED boarders remain elevated statewide, increasing in some areas.
National EM Updates and Misc.
- DHS Shutdown Update: The Senate sent its bill to partially fund DHS back to the House yesterday morning during a pro forma session. House leaders then adjourned their own pro forma session without taking action on the measure, which they had rejected last week before Congress left for a two-week break.
- Executive Order to Pay DHS Employees: President Trump said he would soon sign an executive order to pay all employees at DHS, which has been shut down for more than 40 days.
- FirstNet Deal Reached: Feds and AT&T Reach $2B Deal for FirstNet Upgrades.
- All Things Astronauts aka Star Sailors: Learn all about astronauts! Since inception, NASA has selected 370 astronaut candidates: 299 men, 61 women; 212 military, 138 civilians; 191 pilots, 159 non-pilots.
Training and Resources
- PNW Comms Summit: Here is a member submitted suggestion to join public information officers, social media managers, and communications professionals from across the Pacific Northwest for a 1.5-day summit focused on connection, shared learning, and real-world communication.
- Webinar: Dealing with Changing Global Policy Dynamics: A webinar focused on the evolving policy arena of emergency management.
- ICS Courses: I was hopeful DHS was going to be back up and running. ICS courses are still unavailable.
- WA State Training: There are still trainings and courses happening across the state. To view and register for training, visit the Washington State EMD Training Calendar.
Closing Note
Okay, one more space thought. Wouldn’t it be great if whoever picks up the crew from Artemis all dressed up in Planet of the Apes costumes?!
Thanks for all you’re doing out there. The work is constant, the impact is real, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
May everything stay right-side up and on trajectory. Have a great weekend!
Kyle