As one of the most vulnerable populations in disaster response and recovery, a community’s homeless population cannot be overlooked in disaster planning. June Gin, Veterans Emergency Evaluation Center (VEMEC) Research Health Scientist, recommends that local leaders and disaster professionals coordinate and collaborate with homeless service organizations during disaster planning. If your community doesn’t have a… Read more
FEMA offers seven online independent study related to public works, transportation, energy and infrastructure restoration. IS-558 — Public Works and Disaster Recovery IS-921.a — Implementing Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience IS-554 — Emergency Planning for Public Works IS-801 — Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #1 – Transportation IS-812 — Emergency Support Function (ESF) # 12 –… Read more
Moving or disposing of debris improperly can disqualify communities and individuals from being eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Any stakeholder who may assist in debris removal efforts should take FEMA’s online independent study course devoted to debris management. IS-632.a — Introduction to Debris Operations
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
