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
This report presents lessons learned and recommendations derived by the SR 530 Landslide Commission from a review of existing reports and presentations, and from a broad range of people, each with a unique perspective on the incident and events which followed. Preparedness for future catastrophic or unimaginable disasters depends largely on the lessons learned from… Read more
This audit of FEMA’s response to the 2014 landslide that wiped out a small community near Oso, Washington, reports on FEMA officials’ quick and effective response to the disaster. The officials were resourceful in overcoming significant challenges, implemented a variety of disaster-specific policies, obtained needed resources and effectively coordinated with its disaster response partners. The… Read more
Download this chronological checklist, created by the U.S. department of Housing and Urban Development (), to ensure your agency completes the critical actions grantees must take immediately upon the receipt of a award to meet the deadlines and move recovery efforts forward. HUD Chronological Checklist for CDBG-DR Grantees (.doc)
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
Wildfires are long, drawn-out events that often require localities to ask for state assistance to get key messages out to the public, manage and monitor social media and keep up with the demands of local media. Use these tips to coordinate communication efforts with localities before a wildfire starts burning. Focus on messaging before… Read more
During widespread wildfire events, communicating the status of the fire, impacted areas and damage becomes a full-time, round-the-clock job for public information officers (PIOs). Use these tips to integrate communications assistance from the state into your efforts and maximize the effectiveness of your internal communications and public outreach. Ask the state for social media… Read more
During widespread wildfire events, keeping up with the status of the fire, impacted areas and damage becomes a full-time, round-the-clock job. Use these tips to assist and work with local PIOs and emergency management agencies to improve operations and promote more effective public outreach. Have a plan for how you will stay up-to-date. The… Read more
Focus on messaging before the wildfire season. Explore the U.S. Fire Administration’s public outreach materials to develop your own public safety announcements and awareness campaigns. Encourage residents to get their homes and property ready, and to take ownership of being prepared and having a plan. Develop pre-scripted messages and store them in the cloud… 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
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