As part of disaster planning, every community should have multiple shelter locations identified and assessed. These tips provide a starting point for communities to plan and prepare for getting fully-stocked, staffed and organized shelters in place quickly after a disaster. Pre-stock shelters with enough supplies. To avoid chaos, supplies like water, non-perishable food, chairs,… Read more
FEMA’s Commonly Used Sheltering Items & Services Listing (CUSI-SL) catalog provides a list of commonly used supplies in disaster shelters, in addition to an associated catalog number, description and suggested quantity. The catalog number and description are used when requesting supplies to help ensure the correct items are ordered and delivered to the shelter. Although intended… Read more
Trained staff are essential to making it through the initial 72-hour push after a disaster, when localities often have to go it alone. They also help ensure that the proper resources are attained in the weeks and months after a disaster and that the community is fully reimbursed for disaster recovery expenses. “The best work… 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
FEMA’s Community Recovery Management Toolkit offers guidance, case studies, tools and training to help jurisdictions navigate the often overlooked long-term disaster recovery planning process. The guide includes sections focused on organization, recovery planning and managing recovery, and also provides resources to assist core capability functions, such as housing, infrastructure and health and human services. … 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
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
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
This publication provides practical guidance for local officials, emergency planners, homeless service providers and others involved with their community’s disaster planning process to better meet the needs of homeless populations after a natural disaster. The publication covers a range of topics, including: defining special needs populations, personal preparedness, communication, transportation and evacuation, sheltering, health status… Read more
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