Resources

Lessons from Hurricane Sandy: A Community Response in Brooklyn, New York

A field report, which examines the devastation due to Hurricane Sandy experienced in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, a neighborhood consisting of geographically isolated low-lying commercial and residential units, with a concentration of low-income housing, and disproportionate rates of poverty and poor health outcomes largely experienced by Black and Latino residents. The authors conclude that… Read more

Improving Electric Grid Reliability and Resilience: Lessons Learned from Superstorm Sandy and other Extreme Events

The GridWise Alliance (GWA) conducted a workshop entitled “Grid Modernization Impacts During Superstorm Sandy and Other Very Large Scale Grid Events” to explore challenges and opportunities that very large scale events (VLSEs) events present to the electric system. This report notes that grid modernization alone cannot adequately ensure that the electric grid is safe, secure,… Read more

Hurricane Sandy: Lessons Learned, Again

This article argues that the issues were related more to communication and coordination rather than capacity and capability. “Resources did not always make it the last mile to reach those most in need.” Also emphasizes the need for better understanding of (a) reasons that citizens defy public mandatory evacuation orders and (b) how to communicate… Read more

Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy

The Obama administration aspires to work with communities to help them rebuild smarter and better by providing the best data about the risks they face, setting clear resilience standards to help protect against those risks, and bringing a wide range of stakeholders together to foster innovative ideas and ensure a comprehensive regional approach to rebuilding.… Read more

Hurricane Sandy FEMA After-Action Report

This after-action report provides an overview of Hurricane Sandy, its impacts and response, as well as recommendations for improvement. Primary areas of improvement as recommended by the report include: Ensuring unity of effort across the Federal response Being survivor-centric Fostering unity of effort across the whole community Developing an agile, professional emergency management workforce Unity… Read more

Post Disaster Town Hall Meeting Example Agendas and Press Releases

A post-disaster town hall meeting is first and most important opportunity for localities to update their community on the status of recovery efforts underway. The agenda and content of a press release notifying the community of the meeting will vary widely depending on the locality, peril and extent of damage. Below are several examples of how… Read more

Post-Disaster Town Hall Meeting Tips for State Representatives

The post-disaster town hall meeting, is one of the first and most important opportunities for the regional state emergency management office to update an impacted locality on the state assistance and equipment being provided. Click here to download a post-disaster town hall meeting agenda template, and here for press releases and agendas used by other localities.… Read more

Tips for Incident Command: Preparing for a Post-Disaster Town Hall Meeting

The post-disaster town hall meeting, is one of the first and most important opportunities for the incident commander – typically the emergency manager – to update the community on the status and timeline of disaster recovery. Click here to download a post-disaster town hall meeting agenda template, and here for press releases and agendas used by… Read more

Tips for Top Level Local Leaders Preparing for a Post-Disaster Town Hall Meeting

The post-disaster town hall meeting, is one of the first and most important opportunities for localities to update the community on the status of recovery, and set the tone for the entire recovery process. During a post disaster town hall meeting, a top-level local official, such as the mayor, chief elected official, city or town… Read more

Tips for Federal Representatives Presenting at a Post Disaster Town Hall Meeting

The post-disaster town hall meeting, is one of the first and most important opportunities for localities to update the community on the status of recovery, and federal representatives play an important role in this update. During a post disaster town hall meeting, federal representatives from agencies including FEMA, HUD and in some cases, the Small… Read more