Resources

Improving Electric Grid Reliability and Resilience: Lessons Learned from Superstorm Sandy and other Extreme Events

The GridWise Alliance (GWA) conducted a workshop entitled “Grid Modernization Impacts During Superstorm Sandy and Other Very Large Scale Grid Events” to explore challenges and opportunities that very large scale events (VLSEs) events present to the electric system. This report notes that grid modernization alone cannot adequately ensure that the electric grid is safe, secure,… Read more

Hurricane Sandy: Lessons Learned, Again

This article argues that the issues were related more to communication and coordination rather than capacity and capability. “Resources did not always make it the last mile to reach those most in need.” Also emphasizes the need for better understanding of (a) reasons that citizens defy public mandatory evacuation orders and (b) how to communicate… Read more

Hurricane Sandy FEMA After-Action Report

This after-action report provides an overview of Hurricane Sandy, its impacts and response, as well as recommendations for improvement. Primary areas of improvement as recommended by the report include: Ensuring unity of effort across the Federal response Being survivor-centric Fostering unity of effort across the whole community Developing an agile, professional emergency management workforce Unity… Read more

Post Disaster Town Hall Meeting Example Agendas and Press Releases

A post-disaster town hall meeting is first and most important opportunity for localities to update their community on the status of recovery efforts underway. The agenda and content of a press release notifying the community of the meeting will vary widely depending on the locality, peril and extent of damage. Below are several examples of how… Read more

Federal Representatives’ Role in Post-Disaster Town Hall Meetings

A post-disaster town hall meeting is one of the first and most important opportunities for local leaders to update the community on the status of recovery, yet federal representatives from and will also play a critical role in providing property owners with important information regarding the recovery process. No matter the situation, homeowners’ biggest concern… Read more

Tips for Public Information Officers: Preparing for a Post-Disaster Town Hall Meeting

The post-disaster town hall meeting, is the first and most important opportunity for localities to update the community on the status of recovery and set the tone for the entire recovery process. The public information officer will work behind the scenes to ensure that local leaders and federal and state representatives send a unified message… Read more

Holding a Post-Disaster Town Hall Meeting: A Guide for Public Information Officers

For public information officers, a post-disaster town hall meeting requires careful planning and coordination both internally and with external state and federal representatives. Emotions will be running high; community members will demand answers on when they can get back into their homes and when their lives will return to normal. It’s one of the first… Read more

Building Community Disaster Resilience: Perspectives From a Large Urban County Department of Public Health

The authors examine (1) reasons that community resilience has become a key area of focus in national policy within just the past few years (2) the core principles embodied in community resilience theory, including equality and social justice considerations, (3) the challenges of integrating community resilience with traditional public health practices and (4) the importance… Read more

Community Resilience: Moore, Oklahoma, Tornado Response and Recovery

Influenced by lessons learned from the response to a similar tornado in Joplin, Missouri, the Moore Chamber of Commerce formed a private sector partnership with a local bank to facilitate community town hall meetings, providing vital recovery information to survivors; disseminating important and timely messages regarding aid; and offering tangible assistance to the community alongside… Read more

Response and Recovery after the Joplin Tornado: Lessons Applied and Lessons Learned

An EF-5 Tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011, with damage estimated at up to $3 billion. Yet Joplin has seen a rapid recovery despite the extensive damage. The Joplin tornado provides an opportunity to determine if findings from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina apply to other major natural disasters. This study uses interviews… Read more