Alabama Emergency Management Agency

Alabama's coordinating agency for disaster preparedness, response, and

recovery

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Citizen Preparedness Impacts Recovery

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Hurricanes vs. TerrorismOften citizens do not understand their true

vulnerability

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Inactive Decades

Active Decades

INACTIVE YEAR CYCLES:

•1903-1925

•1971-1994

•47 Year Total

ACTIVE YEAR CYCLES:

•1926-1970

•1995-present

High Probability For Major Strike

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Hurricane AmnesiaKatrina storm surge—the untold story

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Katrina Wind and Storm Surge Analysis

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Are We Building A Prepared Citizenry?

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Katrina Syndrome: Unrealistic Operational Timeframes

Since 1851 31% of all storms that impacted Alabama provided less than 72 hours notice

Hurricane Camille (Cat 5 1969) Was a tropical storm 72 hours from the coast

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How Much Notice Do We Typically Receive?

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

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Developing Realistic Operational Timeframes Pre-

LandfallH-96

• Evacuation• Mass Care• Special

Needs• Pre-

deployment of Resources

• Post Landfall Contingency Planning

• Pre-event Bus contract

• Pre-event Commodity notifications

H-72• EOC

Activation (Level 2)

• Plan Back-up Communications

• Deploy Comm. Vans

• Receive FEMA team

• Establish Unified Command

• Begin Incident Action Plan

• Deploy County Liaisons

H-48• EOC

Activation (Level 1)

• Establish County Liaisons

• Mandatory Evacuation Plan Implemented

• Pre-Position Resources (Agency, Mutual Aid, Emergency Management Assistance Compact

H-24• Evacuation

Completed• Establish

Recovery Branch

• Adapt IAP Plannin

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What Drives Operational Time Frames?

• Onset, Magnitude, Intensity of Storm Evacuation clearance times, distances, number of evacuees

• Evacuation Clearance Times• Pre-event Contract activation

timeframes• Deployment and staging of teams &

resources• Activation of MOU’s and Mutual Aid

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• Base Evacuations Upon Storm Surge

• Knight Ritter Study – Senior Citizens Are Least Likely To Evacuate

• Vendor Managed Warehousing

• Establishment of Pre-event Contracts

Reducing Operational Reducing Operational TimeframesTimeframes

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Recovery: Pre-Event Recovery: Pre-Event ConsiderationsConsiderations

• Debris Management (Planning & Contracts)• Disaster Recovery Centers

(Primary/Alternate)• Power Assessment For Critical Facilities• Pre-Identify Points of Distribution• Establish Strong VOAD Partnership• Long Term Shelter/Housing • Continuity of Government & Services• PDA, Debris, Elected Officials training• Logistics Failure = Recovery Failure

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Debris: Pre-Event Debris: Pre-Event ConsiderationsConsiderations

• Debris Management Plan• Work safety• Debris Management Staging and Processing• Pre-identified Contractors (Old FEMA 375)

• 3 Ways to Manage Debris (Pre-Plan):• Force Account (County/Municipal Staff)• USACE• Private Contracts

• Debris Contract Considerations• Hauling & Monitoring

• Alabama SB 160 State Disaster Fund Eligibility

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Recovery: Post-Event Recovery: Post-Event ConsiderationsConsiderations

• Conduct Damage Assessment– Housing, Key resources, Critical

Resources• Identify and Establish DRC locations• Compile Thorough Documentation

for all actions taken and expense incurred

• Implement Local Recovery Plan• Conduct Regular Public Briefings

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Recovery: Top MistakesRecovery: Top Mistakes

• Lack of documentation – Rental costs determined unreasonable due to lack of

documentation– Pre-event maintenance records– Demonstration of previous code enforcement

• No notification given to the state in regards to cost overruns

• Change in scope of work without improved project request and approval.

• Use of “Piggy Back” contracts• Damage identified after the 60 day deadline has expired• Appeals submitted after the 60 day deadline

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Recovery Best PracticesRecovery Best Practices• Have up-to-date Maintenance Records, photos of critical

facilities, resources, property • Provide all insurance documentation • Use easy to read time sheets• Know your GEMA Recovery staff and processes (applicant

briefings, project worksheets, kickoff meetings, etc)• Documentation of work completed• Follow your proper procurement procedures• Ensure reasonable costs are paid (bid, historical, etc)• Formulate in-place costs for items such as fill dirt, gravel,

use of special equipment, etc.• Ensure that Pre-Event procedures match Post-Event

procedures (tipping fee example)

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Recovery Best PracticesRecovery Best Practices

• Working relationships should be maintained throughout the year

• Pre-identified DRC locations save time & money

• Annual review/refresher training produces more efficient disaster recovery operations

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Creating a Prepared Citizenry

• AEMA Website:• Risk & Situational

Awareness funnel for Citizens

• get10, do10, coop10 campaign

• $4 million grant from CDC

• Ready Alabama• Be Ready Camp for kids• Follow Twitter:

@AlabamaEMA

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AEMA Citizen Risk Analysis Tool

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Education

November 3, 2008 Slide #24

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Questions?Questions?

AEMA--Alabama's coordinating agency for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery