During a weather-induced long-term power outage, communications with utility companies often present one of the biggest challenges for local leaders, emergency management and other municipal agencies involved in disaster response and recovery. Use these tips to build and maintain a relationship with your local utility that allows for an open flow of information at all… Read more
Long-term, widespread power outages can cause a plethora of unexpected communications challenges. IBTS spoke with Monroe County, New York, Emergency Manager Tim Kohlmeier about his experiences communicating with stakeholders and his constituents after a severe wind storm — coupled with sub-zero temperatures — hit the county in March 2017, causing multi-day power outages for more than… Read more
Having a social media presence is a must for emergency management agencies today, however many public information officers (PIOs) struggle to build the large following that allows social media to be effectively used to communicate with constituents and stakeholders during a natural disaster. IBTS spoke with Washington Emergency Management Digital Media Specialist Steven Friederich… Read more
During severe winter weather events, the public has an undying need for information — when will their roads be plowed, will schools shut down, is more snow expected? Providing them with constant updates is essential to set clear expectations about your locality’s snow removal capabilities during a given storm. The PIO should work closely… Read more
Reimbursement for snow assistance and winter storms requires highly-specific documentation, often for specific time periods or completing certain tasks. FEMA typically reimburses for a continuous 48-hour period of the storm, and for specific tasks like making two lanes passable on an arterial roadway. Use these tips to ensure your locality’s snow removal agency has proper… Read more
On March 22, 2014, groundwater saturation triggered a 4,400-foot-wide landslide near the town of Oso, Washington. Considered the largest and most destructive landslide in U.S. history, the event caused 43 fatalities, swallowed 49 homes and shut-down a portion of State Route 530 – giving the catastrophe its official name, the SR 530 Landslide. Search and… Read more
The Tulsa, Oklahoma Area Emergency Management Agency launched the “Tulsa Ready” App for smart phones to create a more interactive public communications interface that better meets the needs of today’s public. The app helps residents prepare for natural disasters, communicate with family members during an event and also allows emergency management to send severe weather… Read more
Planning for temporary housing assistance can be one of the most difficult aspects of preparing for a natural disaster due to the unpredictability of a storm’s impact on a locality’s housing stock. Likewise, each community has unique risks and resources when it comes to temporary housing — there is no “one-sized-fits-all” approach. Local, state… Read more
This presentation, given at the 2013 Disaster Preparedness Summit, provides a basic explanation of social media and its prevalence, followed by an overview of social media use during the 2011 Joplin tornado, during Hurricane Sandy and during the Boston Marathon bombings. It concludes with best practices and lessons learned from the three events. Social Media… Read more
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate speaks to the impact of social media on emergency management over the years and how it is changing the way emergency managers do everything from gathering information to protecting the public. Video: Social Media and Emergency Management
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