WITHOUT FEDERAL FUNDING

March 18, 2013

MANAGING DISASTERS….

TIMELINE

Event began as Severe Thunderstorm Watch @ 1335 hours.Escalated to Severe Thunderstorm Warning @ 1532 hours.1st reports of damage @ 1546 hours (Walnut Grove area)

MARCH 18 , 2013

EOC activation level III- based on responder reports.Implement appropriate MOA/MOU documents.Inform AEMA (EMITS) and request Regional Coordinator assistance.Assess possible hazardous release information.Immediate assessment of incident (ground truth) for public safety issues.

ACTIVATION

Obtain an immediate overall picture of incident.Secure a Local State of Emergency declaration.Implement local debris removal plan. Documentation of local debris removal processes & cost.Determine immediate needs, both responder & public. Assign short term recovery tasks. (VOAD)

FIRST ASSESSMENT

IMPACTED AREAS

Determine possible shelter or temporary housing needs. (VOAD and Local Housing Authority)

Brief Stakeholders.

Determine if State resources are needed.

IMMEDIATE DECISIONS

Initial “windshield” damage assessment – EMA & AEMA Region Coordinator.Continued unmet needs assessment and implementation.Psychological assessment issues addressed if needed. (VOAD infrastructure/medical).

WITHIN 48 HOURS

Home owner insurance assessments. (Boots on the ground -Visuals/documentation)Business insurance assessments. Continue unmet needs assessment and implementation.Continued local debris removal.

WITHIN 72 HOURS

Joint damage assessments with AEMA determines the probability that disaster meets SBA minimums.Second Damage assessment including SBA. Totals = 34 Major / 79 Minor including affected & business, resulting in $1,000,000 + damages.SBA request made by AEMA.Continued unmet needs addressed.Continued local debris removal.

WITHIN 96 HOURS

Secure local facility for possible SBA interviews.Continue unmet needs assessments.Debris removal continues.Insurance claims issues addressed where necessary.Media campaign continued.“Putting out the small fires” Unmet issues addressed! Site Revisits!Document everything.

DAY FIVE +

KEYS !1. Be prepared !2. Keep your stakeholder training current !3. Work with local LEPC & VOAD & Keep them involved !4. Exercise. Often, be creative but not unrealistic !5. Keep your local & state elected officials informed and

involved !6. Develop and encourage Amateur Radio in your county.7. Keep the media informed. They are our “friends”!8. Look for and utilize “out of the box” solutions! Build

relationships with local businesses for emergency resource acquisitions.

MANAGING DISASTERS WITHOUT FEDERAL FUNDING !

Mike Bryant, DirectorGadsden-Etowah County EMA90 Broad StreetGadsden, AL 35901mbryant@cityofgadsden.com256-549-4575 Office

CONTACT INFORMATION

THANK YOU !