Hot Topic! -- Career Development Opportunities
- Executive Development Opportunities – Nomination period extended. For further information on available programs view the Professional Development Programs site or you may contact Mary Waller at mary.waller@fema.dhs.gov.
- Applications for FY13 Leader Development Programs are due July 20 – The FEMA Leader Development Program is still accepting applications. Further information can be found on the Leader Development intranet site, or you may contact the FEMA Leader Development Program at LDC@fema.dhs.gov.
- DHS Pathways Information Sessions Announcement – If you are a human resource professional or a manager who plans on hiring an intern, you need to attend an informational workshop. You can register for one of these sessions and submit general inquiries regarding Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates to Federal Careers via email at: Pathways@hq.dhs.gov.
- FEMA Internal Rotation Program – There are five internal rotation announcements available now. Further information can be found on the Development & Rotational Opportunities site or you may contact Jensinta Brown at jensita.brown@fema.dhs.gov.
- FEMA Leader Development Program Holds Inaugural Program in the Pinnacle Series - The FEMA Leader Development Program introduced the Pinnacle Series for GS-15s with Communications and Organizational Ideas, a two-day course featuring author and trainer Steven Gaffney. Further information can be found on the Leader Development intranet site, or you may contact the FEMA Leader Development Program at LDC@fema.dhs.gov.
- Schedule A Training – Training required for managers and supervisors responsible for meeting recruitment, hiring and diversity goals.
- State/Local/Tribal/Regional/Headquarter Rotation Opportunities - The listing of this year Regional and National Headquarter Office open opportunities and their requirements. Further information can be found on the Development & Rotational Opportunities site and or you may contact Lorraine Cantolina at lorraine.cantolina@fema.dhs.gov.
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Recent updates to Employee News Online include the following highlights:
Articles:
- Wa´ma´gayam exercise an historic first for tribal entities in Region IX – All 19 tribal entities participated in this coordinated, simulated response effort.
- FEMA conducts training for local officials in N.Y. – May 21, emergency responders strengthened their skills and emergency management capabilities.
- One Year, Four Miles and Counting – May 22, community members came together in a "Day of Unity" one year after the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri.
- Integrated Response Training on Display at Center for Domestic Preparedness – June 22, over 200 emergency responders participated in an integrated capstone event.
- Feds Feed Families – Next week’s collection theme is "Survival Pantry."
Announcements
- FEMA Region X Awarded "Outstanding 2012 Federal Bike Commuting" – Region X had a 700 percent increase in participation in the Seattle area’s Group Health Commute Challenge.
- FEMA LawTalk podcasts are now available on the internet – The latest podcast, Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Act, is available now.
- Read these stories and more on the employee site.
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Blog
- Assisting firefighters through grants – FEMA’s role during wildfires
- Application Process Continues for Reservist Program
- Debby Update 3: Preparing for flooding
- FEMA Continues to Monitor Tropical Storm Debby
- Tropical Storm Debby forms in the Gulf of Mexico
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In Memory
Anthony D. Williams, Sr.
We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Anthony D. Williams, Sr. Anthony was a valued member of the Mission Support Bureau, Office of the Chief Security Officer. He passed away June 26, and is survived by his wife Lisa; daughters Monique and Monica; son Anthony, Jr.
Anthony’s career with FEMA began May 23, 2010, as a Personnel Security Specialist, in the Personnel Security Branch.
Services will be held in Mount Olive, North Carolina.
Our sincere condolences go out to Anthony’s family, friends, and colleagues. We will miss him.
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With appreciation for the high bar Derek Jensen set for us all
By Jessica Smith, the Director of External Affairs
Yesterday, I was honored to participate in the memorial service for Derek Jensen, who was taken from us too soon in a traffic accident while biking to work. At the CDP in Anniston, Ala., the room was filled by Derek's parents; his wife, Mina; two of his three children; and a strong, close-knit community of CDP colleagues.
It was apparent that everyone felt and appreciated the "joie de vivre" that Derek embodied. Derek loved his family, he loved his job, he loved his colleagues, he loved dragging people down to Anniston to show off the CDP facility that he was so proud of, and, most importantly, he loved the FEMA mission and helping those most in need.
Derek was the epitome of the FEMA employee and civil servant we all strive to be. He was bright and dynamic, and a true shining star on our team. His warm sense of humor and persistent jovialness were infectious. But what I remember most about Derek was that he never let the smile leave his face.
When I sent a notice to our staff about our significant loss, there was a groundswell of responses-- from our team, from the agency, from colleagues who knew him from the leadership program he’d been chosen for at DHS - and from countless others who had been forwarded the message and clearly struggling to find some understanding, a sense of connection, and for a way to help.
For any who are interested, a donation account has been set up in Derek Jensen’s name at Zions Bank. Proceeds from the account will be provided to his wife and their children. Donations can be made at any Zions Bank or mailed to: Zions Bank; Attn: Brian Garrett – DTJ; One South Main; Ste 700; Salt Lake City, Utah 84133
I think the fact that this news hits so powerfully is a testament to the fact that Derek set the bar really high: as a teammate, colleague, mentor, and friend. And, he reminds us all how important all of these roles are, day in and day out.
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Employee News Online is a news site that highlights the work of FEMA employees and issues related to the FEMA mission. It is produced by the Office of External Affairs, Public Affairs Division at 500 C Street, Washington, D.C. and will replace the FEMA Weekly.
You may submit your articles and announcements to FEMA-Weekly@fema.dhs.gov for inclusion to Employee News Online, FEMA Weekly Bulletin. Please allow 24-48 hours for your article or announcement to be posted.
NOTE TO CONTRIBUTORS: The employee news site will provide the same news categories you became familiar with in the FEMA Weekly – News (Featured Articles), Announcements, and Around FEMA (Employee Collaboration). The news site will be updated daily. You can access the employee news site 24/7, from your work or home computer. Please refer to the updated submission guidelines.