The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is the national mutual aid system for states through which a wide range of resources can be deployed — from emergency medical services, to law enforcement and mass care assistance. One of the first successful large-scale implementations of EMAC was in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. William Whitson,… Read more
This toolkit, developed by the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA), provides guidance to state agencies in the areas of economic development, housing, infrastructure and public facilities in regard to the state’s role in long-term disaster recovery. The toolkit includes five modules and a reference library with sample documents, templates and additional resources with… Read more
This form was created by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County to collect relevant and necessary information from homeless service agencies in the City of Houston. Key elements include contact info, populations served, services provided, participation in the state client registry and participation in other relevant programs. Localities can use this as an… Read more
Homeless populations are one of the most vulnerable groups after a natural disaster, yet they are often overlooked in disaster planning. This toolkit provides step-by-step guidance, strategies, advice and resources to help homeless service and disaster professionals identify who to collaborate with and how to build and maintain partnerships to address the needs of homeless… Read more
The impacts of natural disasters on homeless populations has largely been unexplored, leaving a knowledge gap in current disaster research. This study provides new insight into the topic, focusing specifically on how the homeless in Hoboken and Atlantic City, New Jersey learned about Hurricane sandy, how the disaster impacted the daily lives of the homeless,… Read more
This FEMA guide outlines six planning steps and associated key activities to assist local governments in developing a comprehensive disaster response and recovery plan. Establishing clear roles and responsibilities and building relationships across community and regional leaders, organizations and individuals before a disaster can help your community become more resilient and recover faster from disasters.… Read more
In this disaster planning guide, FEMA outlines a six-step comprehensive disaster planning process to assist state governments in developing a “whole community” approach to disaster response and recovery. Although disaster response activities are locally driven, municipalities often look to the state for assistance after a disaster. A comprehensive state plan better positions states to meet… Read more
This publication provides practical guidance for local officials, emergency planners, homeless service providers and others involved with their community’s disaster planning process to better meet the needs of homeless populations after a natural disaster. The publication covers a range of topics, including: defining special needs populations, personal preparedness, communication, transportation and evacuation, sheltering, health status… Read more
King County, Washington, developed a suite of tools and resources to assist community agencies that deal with vulnerable populations in becoming more prepared and resilient in the wake of natural disasters and other emergencies. The tool outlines 13 standards that a community agency should work towards, ranging from communications tools to emergency payment procedures and… Read more
State emergency management agencies (EMAs), regional FEMA offices and surrounding jurisdictions can serve as useful resources to supplement your locality’s disaster training needs before a disaster, and immediately after a disaster strikes if need be. These tips provide guidance to ensure localities take full advantage of regional training opportunities. Find out if your state… Read more
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