With Red Flag
Alerts in parts of Texas this spring it is imperative that all County Extension
Agents be reminded regarding their responsibilities in emergency management.
The following outlines the roles and responsibilities of a County Extension
Agent during the response and recovery phases of an emergency;
1. Immediately
contact me District Extension Administrator and provide a detailed report on
the incident. If the DEA is not available contact a Regional Program
Director. If the DEA and RPDs are not available, contact the office of the
Associate Director for County Programs.
2. Contact the
County Judge and Emergency Management Coordinator. CEAs should offer
assistance and determine if other parts of the County Emergency Management Plan
have been activated. CEAs should carry out the following emergency response and
recovery activities at the request of the County Judge and/or Emergency
Management Coordinator:
· CEAs ANR on the County Emergency Board
of USDA FSA will assess agricultural damages and establish criteria by which
the county judge initiates an agricultural disaster declaration.
· Where appropriate, help the county
officials write the formal request for external resources. Agents should do
this by completing the Incident Command System Form 213 (requires signature of
county judge or EMC). The DEA and RPD(s) can help as needed.
· Act as Public Information Officer and
lead the county’s electronic and mass media efforts. AgriLife Communications
will support agents in this role.
· Help the Animal Issues Committee
(AIC), County Judge/EMC set up a shelter and livestock supply point to feed and
care for displaced animals.
3. CEAs ANR
will work with the EMC and AIC to determine if the County Animal Issues Plan
should be activated. The Texas Animal Health Commission is the lead agency
during livestock or animal related emergencies.
4. Activate
the AgriLife Extension County Office Disaster Plan.
5. Notify the
DEA or RPD(s) if the incident requires Extension resources/actions that are not
available locally.
6. District
Extension Administrators will lead daily teleconference call with impacted
counties. County Coordinators should be prepared to give daily situation
reports on this call. Situation reports will include information on
resources the agency has used for emergency management preparedness,
mitigation, response and recovery.
7. In the
event of a Presidential Disaster Declaration, CEAs may be asked to report
activates weekly for inclusion on the Emergency Time and Effort Form. This
report is due to the DEA before 5:00 o.m. each Friday during response and
recovery.
8. CEAs ANR
are responsible for helping USDA FSA County Emergency Boards complete ad USDA
Loss Assessment Report (LAR).
9. As first
responders bring the emergency incident under control, CEAs coordinate with
county departments and state or federal agencies to plan a public meeting to
communicate;
· the organizations and agencies that
are working on recovery,
· the programs that are available to
assist with current needs, and
· other topics relevant to the situation
in the county.
10. CEA strike
team members will responded as needed /requested to help in disaster
situations.
Barriers
to the Adoption of Distance Technology in Program Delivery
How do Extension professionals take advantage of new
technology trends? In a study conducted by Elizabeth Wells at Michigan State
University Extension reported the following (Segars, 2011);
•97% of participants had never edited a wiki.
•89% had never exchanged an instant message with a
colleague or client.
•73% had never posted an article to a website or
blog.
To promote the use of both new and traditional
methods, a blend of delivery methods should be used when transferred to a
program setting at the county and state levels (Segars,2011). Offering high
tech and high touch programming to satisfy the needs of traditional,
contemporary, and future clientele is best.(Segars, 2011). Such a method would
require providing training in the implementation of blended learning
opportunities for programs by mixing technology with traditional on-site
educational delivery (Segars, 2011). Programming that would stem from such
training (keep in mind this would include the adjusted definition of Extension
programming) would include face-to-face sessions or events, online newsletters,
routine informational “tweets” via Twitter, and frequent use of various social
media outlets in conjunction with routine blogging (Segars, 2011).
An example of one of these programs will be held
Tuesday March 6th, via the web through LYNC for a the Drought Management
Symposium for Range and Pasture hosted at the District 11 Center by Nueces
County. The symposium will be broadcastered to 8 county locations mostly in
District 12. The program is a full day of programs by our District specialist
with assistance from some researchers. This is a great opportunity for
clientele to come to a county location and view live presentations for
presenters from a central location saving all involved much travel dollars. For
more information on Tuesdays program contact Megan Dominquez or Pete Flores.
References:
Segars, J., (2011). The New Digital [St]age:
Barriers to the Adoption and Adaptation of New Technologies to Deliver
Extension Programming and How to Address Them. Journal of Extension [On-line],
49 (1) Article 1FEA1. Available athttp://www.joe.org/joe/2011february/a1.php
Wells, E. (2009). MSUE Educators’ perceptions of the
use of technology in their work. Michigan; Author.
District
11 4-H Management
Well, I made my first week without Jodi McManus, as you all know Jodi
changed jobs and we wish Kyle, Molly, and Jodi the best. We are certainly going
to miss Jodi's direction and leadership as our District 11 Specialist. Dr.
Chris Boleman has started the process in filling the position. I know that he
will do his best to find an individual to keep our program strong for many
years to come. I am counting on your increased involvement and leadership in
making sure that our District 11 4-H program opportunities available during the
absence of our district specialist.
I will assume most of the management with assistance from our District
support staff Mrs. Sharon Thompson. We will keep you informed and help to provide
you with your answers to many of your questions.
However, we need to pay extra attention to detail especially moving into
the spring contests and events. I am confident with your leadership we will
continue to provide the same great opportunities for our members and leaders in
this interim period. I am trying to recruit all best possible candidates for
the position. If you think of someone in our agency that would have interest
please let me know. DM
Personnel News:
Last month was a
very hard month for most of us, we lost a valuable coworker in Duane
Campion, San Patricio County Extension Agent. Duane passed away suddenly and shocked
many of us that would see him regularly. Thank you to all that came to the
services to comfort Duane's family. It is with great sadness I feel in losing a
member of our Extension family. Duane's passing certainly made many of us step
back and value the many good things in our lives.
Please welcome Ryan
Damborsky our new Calhoun County Ag/NR agent staring this week in his
new appointment. Ryan completed his first step program in Matagroda County. We
are look for great things from Ryan in Calhoun County.
Monday I will meet
the court to finalize our new appointment for the vacant Victoria County 4-H
agent. I will announce the individual after it is official on Monday. This
individual will participate in the first step program in Bexar County and start
in Victoria on April 1st.
I was fortunate
to attend a great retirement reception for Mr. Joseph Janak, Victoria
County Ag/NR agent. Joe retired after 35 years of service to our agency
this month. I certainly admire Joe Janak as a friend, mentor and of course a
great Ag agent for many years in District 14 and 11. Joe's work ethic and
expertise in various areas of agriculture can never be replaced; he has truly
made a difference in the many lives of individuals in St. Augustine, and
Victoria Counties. The reception was excellent with over 200 people attending,
Many specialists form here in Corpus Christi and College Station were in
attendance. Dr. Darrell Dromgoole our Associate Director for County programs
was present to help honor Joe. Many of you know that Dr. Dromgoole, trained in
Victoria county under Joe Janak, Dr. Droogoole provided some excellent words at
the reception in tribute to Joe Janak's outstanding career. Congratulations to
Joe and his wife Carol and the entire Janak family.
John O'Connell, Matagorda County Marine Resource Agent , will be transferring to Brazoria County starting April 1st. I wish John well in his new appointment, and thank him for his many years of service to District 11. John has provided great leadership and outstanding programs for his clientele as agent in Calhoun and Matagorda County. Good Luck John!!
Elaine Fries and I are in the process
of identifying candidates and interview dates are set for Washington County
FCS, Calhoun County FCS and Jackson County FCS positions as they have recently
been released externally. Other positions are internal and I am seeking
applicants from within our agency.
