question

mitigation

answer

Directed toward eliminating the causes of a disaster, reducing the likelihood of its occurrence, or limiting the magnitude of its impacts if it does occur "long term risk reduction"

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preparedness

answer

plans, procedures, & response resources must be designed & implemented in advance - training & exercises - facilities & equipment

question

response

answer

save lives, save property, provide emergency services, restore critical public services - this function ends when the risk of loss of life & property returns to pre-event levels

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recovery

answer

restore the community's quality of life - rebuild the community - introduce mitigation measures for the future - much of the resources come from outside of the affected community

question

NEHRP

answer

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program - 1980's - requires FEMA to develop a plan for how the fed. govt. would respond to a catastrophic earthquake - this model sets the stage for the future (Federal Response Plan and National Response Plan) - this is the first Federal Response Plan which eventually becomes the model for FEMA & fed. role in EM

question

What are 4 major priorities or accomplishments of the Witt Era

answer

1. Major focus on mitigation & risk avoidance 2. Built strong and positive relationships with Congress, state & local EM partners, improved image with the media, brought a "customer-centered" focus to FEMA 3. FEMA elevated to Cabinet level reporting directly to the President 4. Change to "all hazards" approach rather than single hazard focus (i.e. nuclear war) 5. Launched "Project Impact" to create disaster-resistant communities - cause communities to incorporate risk identification, mitigation, EM planning into all aspects of local life (i.e. have a community EM plan, public policy, partnerships with business) - Project Impact also had the effect of building more constituencies & mobilizing more local leaders in support of the EM function - when it is proposed in 2001 to end the program, local officials fight back & Congress protects funding

question

What are 3 forces that strongly influenced the adoption of an all hazards approach to EM?

answer

1) Dual Use - this concept emphasized that research and planning by the federal government should be applicable to both natural disasters and nuclear attack (civil defense) 2) the work of the Disaster Research Center starting in the 1960s - their research changed the focus from studying the individual characteristics of each type of disaster to identifying the common EM functions across disasters 3) the National Governor's Association Disaster Project in the 1970s - state & local officials had fewer EM resources & could not fund disaster-specific strategies so they had always assumed a uniform management approach to all emergency events - the political push of Governors combined with the intellectual firepower of the DRC helped persuade President Carter that the new federal agency they wanted him to create should utilize an all hazards model which would be formally adopted by FEMA in 1981

question

What is an all hazards approach?

answer

build & optimize capacity to perform all 4 functions of mitigation, preparedness, response, & recovery with all types of natural or man made disasters

question

EM managers need to be able to

answer

1. Be politically competent policy entrepreneurs 2. Build support coalitions & successfully engage citizens & be effective at intergovernmental relations 3. Utilize a multi-disciplinary approach intergovernmental relations, relationship building, effective coordination of joint action and resource acquisition 4. effective media relations

question

EM staff need to have

answer

competency and experience in developing written EM plans

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Key Assumptions in a Florida CEMP (Palm Beach County)

answer

Disaster relief from agencies outside the county may take 72 hours or more to arrive

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Disaster in the making for an EMO

answer

Failure to identify and remedy performance gaps within the plan (not fixing the issues)

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Hazard Identification/Analysis

answer

"the foundation of all EM activities"

question

What is the difference in Richter Scale & Modified Mercalli Scale

answer

Richter Scale - assigns a single number to quantify the overall magnitude of an earthquake based on the strength of ground waves as measured by a seismograph - this is a quantitative measurement instrument (uses #'s) Modified Mercalli Scale - based on observations and reports of those who witnessed the event and ensuing destruction - classifies intensity based on those observations with Roman numerals - this is a qualitative measurement instrument (uses words)

question

Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes

answer

SLOSH - accounts within 20% accuracy does not account for natural tides does not account for wind

question

How do we know about the 1700 Tsunamis?

answer

a powerful earthquake (8 or 9) and tsunami hit Washington's coast 300 years ago. We know this because of 2 reasons: Japanese kept great records of the events and then researching the trees in the forest we were able to conclude that it did hit the west coast.

question

a lack of data

answer

= challenge

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Droughts

answer

Special characteristics: Not easy to determine its starting & stopping points - no exact universally accepted definition - effects may not be as pronounced and could be dispersed over large land area

question

1979 Three Mile Island event triggered greater federal focus on EM planning, preparedness, & response for critical infrastructure

answer

EM at nuclear facilities helped create the model & influenced the application of EM principles & strategies to other major infrastructure & their operations - **EM preparedness & planning would become expected at all critical infrastructure

question

to determine the acceptable level of risk

answer

think about what level of damage will be tolerated? influenced by the public perception of risk & the perception by policymakers of the consequences of taking or not taking action to address risks

question

what is the public thinking when it comes to the acceptable level of risk

answer

Subjectively

question

EM managers need to know your community

answer

assess & understand the economic profiles & social characteristics of the citizens they serve and design/implement strategies that are based on that information

question

Why is it nearly impossible to have a national building code?

answer

because it is very difficult to change existing structures

question

Acquisition

answer

govt purchase of property in a hazard zone limitation = $

question

NFIP

answer

National Flood Insurance Protection

question

NFIP represents a full package of compliance tools/mechanisms (incentives/carrots & sticks) to attain its public policy goals

answer

1. Fed. govt. will insure you (you otherwise might not have access to flood insurance - of course, by accepting this insurance, conditions can now be imposed upon you and your community) 2. Provide maps & technical assistance so local govts. can craft & pass ordinances to direct development away from flood zones - help communities rewrite their existing comp plans 3. Communities maintain their eligibility for federal disaster aid by joining NFIP (don't join after first event and you may not be eligible for continued disaster aid) 4. Offer grants to local govt. for mitigation 5. Reward communities with lower insurance rates for reducing their risk - Community Rating System: if local communities go above and beyond, their fed. flood insurance rates drop

question

What are the limitation to mitigation

answer

1. They reduce risk - they do not eliminate it 2. Iatrogenic Effect of Mitigation - when mitigation increases risk & actual damages - had the levee not been built, no one would have built there but it's built so over time, people acquire a false sense of security and development increases - when the levee fails (mitigation only reduces risk - see limitation #1), more lives and property actually threatened & harmed than if this mitigation measure had never existed

question

The issue of takings

answer

The issue of takings - mitigation policies like land use restrictions may impact property values/uses to the point where they constitute a taking (create litigation) - factor in potential litigation/compensation in designing/implementing these policies

question

What is the difference between the Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDMP)

answer

HMGP must have the Presidential Declaration PDMP does NOT have the Presidential Declaration

question

Castaic School District

answer

Hazard identification/risk assessment documented multiple hazards -earthquake could trigger dam break/flood and rupture of oil pipeline/fires CBA demonstrated that relocation of school facilities from high risk to low risk area a sound strategy - old site became natural open space turned over to the Water District $7.2M from FEMA's HMGP to purchase property & relocate school facilities

question

What are 3 tools from Arnold Missouri

answer

Mitigation program of 1. voluntary buy-outs of homes in floodplain 2. infrastructure elevation 3. started public education campaign to urge purchase of flood insurance through NFIP (had low level of coverage in community given level of risk)

question

ICS

answer

Incident Command System

question

where did the ICS come from

answer

Incident Command System born from experience of 1970 fires in southern Calif. - lack of coordination & communication & duplication of efforts among multiple agencies on scene undercut response - Single Incident Commander is designated

question

Describe presidential decision-making in the PDD process?

answer

President reviews request & makes a decision - President has full & complete discretion to approve/disapprove request - there are no statutory criteria and no specific guidelines/thresholds in law which the President must follow - the FEMA recommendation to the President will include elements such as individual property losses, level of damage to community infrastructure, level of existing insurance coverage, etc. but the President is not bound to consider those elements in reaching a decision

question

Incidents of National Significance

answer

Federal agencies come and take over high impact events necessitating effective & coordinated response among federal, state & local govt. & NGOs

question

INS events require nationwide response activities due to potential or actual nationwide impact -

answer

could be multiple incidents in different regions of the country or subsequent threats involved - Secretary of DHS becomes the principal federal official for domestic incident management of INS events

question

NRP

answer

founded on functional approach - agencies (govt. & NGOs) defined/grouped by their functional role in EM response - grouped by capabilities into ESFs

question

Remedial actions/after action reports

answer

DHS commissions "hotwashes" (an after action report) to ID critical issues, lessons learned, best practices for future fed. response to INS events - following incident, JFO submits an after action report detailing successes, problems & key issues

question

What is the achilles heel

answer

communication between responding agencies

question

What are 2 key lessons learned from Oklahoma City

answer

1. Set the "Oklahoma Standard" in EM response - rapid response - first responders on scene quickly - fed. officials notified within minutes of event - immediate volunteer services being delivered - hospitals established triage system immediately - phone numbers, website, and briefings for public quickly put in place - American Red Cross & Salvation Army in full response within hours of event 2. Cellular One and SW Bell overcame initial communications challenges & ensured the ability to communicate by clearing lines, reconfiguring systems, and distributing cell phones on scene - effective radio communications in place between local, state, & fed,. agencies within 45 minutes - "In any disaster, communications is the first line of defense in a successful response." (p. 151)

question

What are 2 key lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew

answer

1. Exposed major vulnerabilities within EM response system at fed. & state levels - uncoordinated, delays, confusion, inadequate - FEMA unsure about its level of authority during event and fails to perform - DOD steps in for response and immediate relief to residents - communications systems disrupted and FEMA unable to effectively communicate with public - citizens not aware for days what assistance & services were available to them 2. Set the stage for reform - Andrew experience gave next FEMA Director James Lee Witt the opportunity to establish FEMA as lead agency in disaster management, reform FEMA, and use Federal Response Plan (FRP) as foundation for EM

question

Which model is a favorite and preferred model?

answer

ICS - Incident Command System - represents the Coordination Model

question

Rapid damage assessment

answer

to determine boundaries of impact zone & severity of damage within zone to determine strategies & resources needed for effective response

question

Strategies for Evacuation

answer

1) ID those requiring transportation (cannot self transport) - transit dependent households, those with mobility limitations, & institutionalized populations 2) provide effective evacuation traffic management - ID evacuation routes for those in hazard zone and facilitate orderly movement along those routes 3) people will require an evacuation destination - for those without shelter or support (cannot stay with friends or family or afford hotel) - a place to evacuate to - mass care will need to be provided

question

Describe 3 ways documentation is a priority function of all EOC staff

answer

#1 Need to document to adapt - emergency events are fluid & dynamic - best information needed to adapt response strategies & resource allocations to changing conditions #2 Need to document to evaluate - information on all operations, decisions, & activities will be needed to generate the after action report - ID best practice, lessons learned, problems experienced/performance gaps #3 Need to document to be reimbursed - need to document resources expended, services provided, & materials acquired for federal reimbursement process # 4 Need to document to defend against litigation

question

In recovery, fed. govt. plays largest technical & financial role (provides resources)

answer

decision-making, however, is a local responsibility - federal funds and local decides

question

The Individual and Households Program (IHP)

answer

provides funds for the necessary expenses and serious needs of victims that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of disaster assistance. IHP provides assistance through 5 programs, including Temporary Housing, Repair, Replacement, Permanent Housing Construction, and Other Needs. **Is a grant program not a loan program

question

IHP functions in two broad categories of relief:

answer

1) housing needs and 2) other needs. Temp. housing, repair (if home not insured), replacement (if home not insured), permanent housing construction in limited cases, & money for other needs like healthcare, moving, transportation, etc.

question

IHP money can only be used for

answer

repair to make safe & sanitary no upgrades

question

Cora Brown Fund

answer

Established special fund from her personal estate for disaster relief services needed but not covered by other forms of public or private assistance

question

The Public Assistance Grant Program (PAGP)

answer

disaster related public services & for repair/replacement of public facilities

question

The recovery phase is termed "a risk reduction window of opportunity" (p. 171) - 3 reasons why:

answer

During recovery, 1) mitigation funds may now be available, 2) public & policymakers more receptive since disaster has now struck, 3) obstacles fewer - for example, structures in a high risk area may be gone now

question

Communities need to have recovery plans including

answer

mitigation measures in place before the disaster

question

What was the key to 9/11

answer

success was fast-tracking of the federal financing process for recovery fast tracking quicker priority identification greater flexibility proved successful

question

Recovery across a community is not uniform

answer

"...the fact that communities as a whole recover does not mean that specific neighborhoods or households within those neighborhoods recover at the same rate or even at all."

question

The objective of disaster recovery should be to restore the community to the conditions that existed before the disaster

answer

BUT didn't the status quo/yesterday's "normal" put us in this position now? *this would reproduce the risk

question

What's the difference between mitigation and preparedness?

answer

Mitigation strives to reduce the effects of a disaster on the community while preparedness enhances our abilities to successfully execute the response and recovery functions of emergency management

question

Measure the preparedness gap *know 3 differences/3 sources

answer

1) fed/state statutes or regulations may specify standards, 2) best practices validated by organizations engaged in certification & accreditation, and 3) industrial standards promulgated by professional associations. Example could be fire safety standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. These are objective, evidence-based standards confirmed by experience, research, & professional judgment (peer review) - these standards represent consensus within the discipline/profession.

question

EMAP

answer

Emergency Manager Accreditation Program -an independent non-profit organization, fosters excellence and accountability in emergency management and homeland security programs, by establishing credible standards applied in a peer review accreditation process. This is a voluntary accreditation program (not mandated) - states & localities have to be fully compliant in 14 functional areas (64 standards measuring the functions)

question

Discuss 2 weaknesses In the post-Katrina USDOT study of Gulf Coast evacuation plans, these 5 weaknesses were found:

answer

1. Keeping evacuees informed during the evacuation 2. Assisting special needs populations with evacuation 3. Returning evacuees to their homes 4. Employing contraflow (reversed lane) operations 5. Providing for feeding & care of animals

question

Conduct research & build partnerships with special needs communities

answer

- EM managers need to meet and work with representatives from or representing each special needs group - get to know the needs of these stakeholders & build your plans around them

question

federal role in emergency management, the activities where federal involvement makes an important difference are in

answer

1) funding, 2) research, 3) technical assistance, and 4) education/training

question

What can government do to prepare citizens - what can citizens do to fill these gaps?

answer

Manage expectations - teach citizens what they can and cannot expect in terms of immediate services in the aftermath of a major disaster *gave both CERT and ICS* The CERT concept was developed by LAFD in California in 1985 - The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. (Incident Command System born from experience of 1970 fires in southern Calif. - lack of coordination & communication & duplication of efforts among multiple agencies on scene undercut response)

question

Tabletop Exercise

answer

- usually involves policymakers & senior staff in a single controlled setting (not done in the field) **only at EOC**

question

Exercises at state & local level are

answer

1) statutorily mandated, 2) some are FEMA-sponsored, and 3) some are self-initiated by state & local EM authorities

question

Business continuity planning (BCP)

answer

Ultimately, a benefit of BCP is to build a powerful constituency in support of EM to influence the policy agenda at the national, state, & local agendas

question

Tsunami Ready Program

answer

Based on NWS "StormReady" Model If community adheres to all guidelines, NOAA certifies them as "Tsunami Ready"

question

Delaware City Community Awareness and Emergency Response Committee **What was the threat?**

answer

Chemical plant complex near Delaware City - threat is hazardous material incident

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