Every municipal department head, in addition to lead staff, should take at minimum basic FEMA and NIMS disaster training courses. “Make it a priority, because if local agencies don’t invest in it now they’re going to pay for it on game day,” says Roger Jolliff,emergency manager for the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Area Emergency Management Agency. Below… Read more
It’s important for emergency management agencies to take a communitywide approach to disaster training. Municipal department heads, local elected officials and directors of NGOs and private sector organizations should be trained and knowledgeable in disaster response and recovery. Roger Jolliff, emergency manager for the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Area Emergency Management Agency, is a strong proponent… Read more
In many localities, disaster planning is confined to emergency management. To improve the effectiveness of disaster plans, it’s important to engage stakeholders from a broad range municipal departments, NGOs and private sector organizations, in addition to local elected officials. IBTS spoke with Roger Jolliff, director of the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Emergency Management Agency, about the best… Read more
In many localities, disaster planning is confined to emergency management. To improve the effectiveness of disaster planning, it’s important that all municipal departments engage in disaster plans with emergency management and develop a department specific . IBTS spoke with Roger Jolliff, director of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Emergency Management Agency, about best practices he’s developed… Read more
In many localities, disaster planning is confined to emergency management. To improve the effectiveness of disaster plans, it’s important that emergency managers engage stakeholders from a broad range municipal departments, NGOs and private sector organizations, in addition to local elected officials. IBTS spoke with Roger Jolliff, director of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Emergency Management… Read more
This document provides a brief explanation of the FEMA disaster declaration process, including an outline of the steps a governor must take to request a declaration, types of disaster declarations and the assistance programs that can be activated once a declaration has been made by the president. FEMA Fact Sheet: Disaster Declaration Process
During a weather-induced long-term power outage, communications with utility companies often present one of the biggest challenges for local leaders, emergency management and other municipal agencies involved in disaster response and recovery. Use these tips to build and maintain a relationship with your local utility that allows for an open flow of information at all… Read more
During a weather-induced long-term power outage, communications with utility companies often present one of the biggest challenges for local leaders and municipal agencies. City managers can leverage their leadership position to facilitate communications between municipal departments and the utility during a power outage; use these tips to build and maintain a relationship with the local… Read more
Long-term, widespread power outages can cause a plethora of unexpected communications challenges. IBTS spoke with Monroe County, New York, Emergency Manager Tim Kohlmeier about his experiences communicating with stakeholders and his constituents after a severe wind storm — coupled with sub-zero temperatures — hit the county in March 2017, causing multi-day power outages for more than 125,000… Read more
Long-term, widespread power outages can cause a plethora of unexpected communications challenges. IBTS spoke with Monroe County, New York, Emergency Manager Tim Kohlmeier about his experiences communicating with stakeholders and his constituents after a severe wind storm — coupled with sub-zero temperatures — hit the county in March 2017, causing multi-day power outages for more than… Read more
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