Although always a welcome sight initially, volunteers and donations in the aftermath of a natural disaster can quickly become an additional burden. A swath of untrained, “spontaneous” volunteers can quickly result in a chaotic situation, and localities can find themselves amidst a “second disaster” as truckloads of material pile up at unorganized donation sites. Amanda… Read more
No matter how prepared and well practiced your locality is to handle post-disaster recovery, putting these plans into action amidst the disarray after a major natural disaster presents unforeseen challenges that put even the best-laid plans to the test. Below, the City of Central, Louisiana, shares some of the strategies they successfully implemented to work… Read more
The City of Central, Louisiana, although well-equipped to handle severe flooding, was forced to navigate unexpected obstacles in the wake of the historic August 2016 flooding. The historic storm dumped 24 inches of rainfall in a 48-hour period, isolating the City and flooding 60 percent of the City’s single-family homes. Reflecting on their experiences, City… Read more
After a flood event, homeowners often struggle to understand the requirements and procedures of the , presenting unexpected challenges in an already dire situation. Homeowners must have a clear understanding of the intricate processes of the NFIP, particularly the concept of , to determine what actions will need to be taken throughout the recovery process.… Read more
As Hurricane Florence hits communities throughout the Carolina’s and across the region, National Public Radio (NPR) provides a list of useful mobile apps that citizens can download to stay updated, safe, and access the resources they need to ride out the storm and the weeks following. From weather updates to finding gasoline and shelter, the list… Read more
In order to remain healthy, vibrant, safe and economically competitive, America’s counties must be able to anticipate and adapt to a myriad of changing physical, environmental, social and economic conditions. New and emerging technologies can be particularly critical for counties as they develop plans and programs to increase their resilience to unforeseen shocks. In a world increasingly driven by… Read more
Effectively communicating and clearly expressing the reasons for a tough decision using all available communications channels is essential for counties and local leaders. This workshop helps county leaders learn how to develop and deliver key elements of your message and leverage all mediums for maximum impact. Although the content of the workshop is not specific… Read more
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) was established by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and is charged with the deployment of a nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) that is dedicated to first responder/public safety communications. Counties may also be able to leverage the network during times of non-disaster to… Read more
The response phase of a disaster lends itself to the most media attention, while the long-term recovery operations can extend for years. Elected officials can assist with publicity management and set the stage for an efficient recovery. Knowing how to handle difficult decisions when a disaster strikes can aid in effective implementation of the emergency… Read more
The world is increasingly complex. An incident in one county can rapidly become an national crisis, fueled by 24 hour news media coverage, and the proliferation of mass media. Governments are faced with an unrelenting expansion of communications media. Planning ahead and protecting citizens from risk is becoming ever more demanding. Pandemics, popular uprisings, and… Read more
Stay up to date with all the latest IBTS news.