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Debris waits to be picked up outside of a home on Fire Island, N.Y., after Hurricane Sandy. Photo courtesy of FEMA.

Local appointed and elected officials often serve as the “spokesperson” to update the public on the response and recovery processes, including debris removal. These tips provide advice on how best to work with your local PIO and emergency management agency to keep the public up-to-date on debris removal and expedite the process.

Be proactive about debris removal information management.

• During media interviews or meetings with the public, place an emphasis on actions the public can take to expedite the cleanup process. Timely removal of debris from resident’s front yards can signal that positive restorations are underway. Actions residents can take to expedite the process can include:
  • Separate burnable and non-burnable debris
  • Segregate household hazardous waste (HHW)
  • Place debris at the curbside
  • Keep debris piles away from fire hydrants, valves, etc.
  • Report locations of illegal dump sites or incidents of illegal dumping
  • Segregate recyclable materials — vegetative debris, building materials, appliances, hazardous materials, etc.
  • Empty all refrigerators and freezers and remove the doors
  • Don’t separate recyclable waste in plastic garbage bags

Approve debris removal messaging and infographics pre-incident.

• Work with your local PIO to develop and pre-approve public information notices that outline the debris removal process for residents – how they should separate material, what material can be picked up, where and when they should put it out.
• Infographics are also a useful tool for displaying this information in a visual, easy-to-read and engaging format.
• Make sure to include contact information for debris management questions on all messages distributed to the public.

Localities can provide this or a similar infographic on debris removal to residents. Published with permission of the Tuscaloosa News.

Keep the public informed on when the debris removal schedule. 

• Use your social media accounts to amplify emergency management’s messages notifying residents of the schedule and alerting residents to any changes or delays.
• Make sure residents are up-to-date on when regular garbage collection will resume, and how they should manage regular household trash, recycling and yard waste during this phase of recovery.
• During media interviews or meetings with the public, be honest and set clear expectations about the debris removal timeline; if you’re unsure of when debris in certain areas will be picked up, provide residents with a range of times or let them know the timeline is still pending.

Be prepared for frequently asked questions.

• Consider working with your PIO to make an FAQ post on social media or distribute flyers to answer common questions.
• Before giving an interview or speaking to the public, make sure your PIO or emergency manager briefs you with answers to FAQs. Common questions on debris removal often include:
  • What is the pickup system?
  • When will the contractor/clean-up crew be in my area?
  • Who are the contractors/clean-up crews and how can I contact them?
  • Should I separate the different debris materials and how?
  • How do I handle HHW?
  • Do I have to pay? If yes, what if I cannot pay?
  • What if I am elderly?
  • What if I miss the initial (or only) pickup?
  • Do I have to cut up small yard debris?