Communicating during a natural disaster is essential to emergency response, but is often intensely difficult due to inconsistent or nonexistent cell, internet and landline service. Amateur (or “ham”) radio enthusiasts can be an invaluable resource for your community during a disaster. Below are several tips for creating or improving your plan for calling on these… Read more
Amateur radio operators and organizations can play a key role in natural disaster communications. Even if cell, landline and internet service are knocked out, radio messages can still get through. IBTS spoke with Janelle Haible, public information officer for the St. Louis Metro Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) about her experiences assisting her community… Read more
IBTS spoke with Public Information Officer for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management Buddy Rogers about his experiences navigating communications with the public and stakeholders before, during and after natural disasters. Kentucky has been increasingly subject to natural disasters in recent years, with 18 major disaster declarations made in the past 10 years. Below… Read more
Although always a welcome site initially, donations in the aftermath of a natural disaster can quickly become an additional burden. Without a donation management and staffing plan, localities often find themselves amidst a “second disaster” as truckloads of materials pile up at unorganized donation sites. Too much of any good thing can become a bad… Read more
Results of a National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) survey to determine the social media channels employed by emergency management agencies for public information use. Respondents were state emergency management agencies. States were also asked to break down what types of posts were the most effective, challenges they face and needs they have to be more successful.… Read more
In August 2016, over seven trillion gallons of rain fell over the course of 48-hours in the city of Central, Louisiana, swallowing the city and much of southern Louisiana. Donations started pouring into Central almost immediately after shelters opened, far exceeding the city’s expectations and donation management plan. Director of Economic Development for the city… Read more
This report condenses a series of meetings held in the summer of 2011 to look at fire department and emergency medical services (EMS) organization activities in Alabama and Georgia during the April 2011 tornados that ripped through southeastern U.S. The report provides an insight into the routines and needs of local fire and EMS agencies in disasters… Read more
Communication and coordination between state and local agencies before, during and after a natural disaster is critical, yet state representatives and local agencies often find themselves lacking sufficient communications plans and struggling to communicate efficiently during an incident. Use these tips to identify common areas of disconnect and improve your communication with local officials… Read more
Communication and coordination among and between local and state agencies before, during and after a natural disaster is critical, yet local agencies often find themselves lacking sufficient communications plans and struggling to communicate efficiently with other local agencies and state representatives during an incident. Use these tips to identify common areas of disconnect and… Read more
Use this presentation to get a broad understanding of the recordkeeping and website maintenance requirements. CDBG Disaster Recovery: Recordkeeping Requirements & Website Maintenance
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