Well-conceived and effectively delivered emergency messages can help ensure public safety, protect property, facilitate response efforts, elicit cooperation, instill public confidence, and help families reunite. This lesson presents information about three aspects of communicating in an emergency, including: emergency communication challenges, emergency communication tools and creating effective emergency communication. FEMA Lesson Guide: Communicating in an Emergency
Be Prepared to Bring in Staff from Surrounding Jurisdictions Have an assist plan or mutual aid agreement in place with neighboring jurisdictions. Snowplows from neighboring localities can simply extend their plow routes into other communities when needed. When short-staffed, bring in non-operations staff, such as design or construction staff, to assist with the Incident… Read more
This report explores why the promise of reduced flood insurance costs under FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) is difficult for many jurisdictions to achieve. Using the state of Louisiana as an example, the report discusses the barriers that prevent more localities in the state from enrolling in the CRS, and also offers policy recommendations for… Read more
The goal of this publication is to provide operational practices for performing public information officer (PIO) duties within the Incident Command System (ICS). It offers basic procedures to operate an effective Joint Information System (JIS). See page 10 for a quick checklist of the PIO’s major responsibilities during a disaster. Basic Guidance for Public… Read more
Emergency response often bring images of search and rescue crews, Red Cross volunteers and firefighters to mind; but equally as important are staff who keep the public informed about all of the activities taking place to keep them safe. Often working behind the scenes, the Public Information Officer (PIO) facilitates public communications before, during, after… Read more
For Margarita Abramov, New York City contract and compliance administrator for IBTS, the process of improving compliance policies and procedures is never quite finished. “There’s always room for improvement,” she says. Abramov was responsible for program compliance oversight for recovery programs in New York City after Hurricane Sandy, a situation she notes was extreme… Read more
The National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program that reduces flood insurance rate premiums for communities who exceed the minimum NFIP floodplain management requirements. This site provides general information and resources about the CRS for communities new to the program, and for communities already enrolled in the program looking for details… Read more
When planning for disaster, jurisdictions often overlook how they will communicate with citizens and stakeholders in the disaster area when traditional forms of communication are unavailable. Initial communications after a disaster are critical for the health and safety of residents; it’s important to have multiple plans in place for communicating in all scenarios. The… Read more
Local and state departments of transportation can download this checklist, created by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), to ensure all department supplies are stocked and that emergency devices are in working order and ready for deployment during and immediately after any severe storm event. Preparation is key in getting roadways cleared and infrastructure… Read more
For localities who get one snow storm every few years and those that get inundated with snow for winter months on-end, it’s equally important to have a road closure plan in place that keeps vehicles moving safely — or off roads all together — during severe winter weather events. IBTS spoke with Tim Baker,… Read more
