HURRICAN KATRINA

AUGUST 2005

Sheila King McFerran

Sheila @ Volunteerhsv.org

256-539-7797

SUMMARY

• In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, HandsOn Greater Huntsville coordinated a massive volunteer effort to provide evacuees with temporary housing at shelters with the transition to apartments and permanent housing.

• 5,000 evacuees relocated to Huntsville, families lost everything and many families were separated.

• Alabama Disaster Aid Soars to $41 million; Nearly 48,000 apply to FEMA;

• Multiple Evacuation Centers were opened

Response Activities in 2 Weeks

• Two Days after Katrina’s landfall, HandsOn Greater

Huntsville began mobilizing to accept volunteers.

• Realized quickly that if HOGH didn’t take the lead on the relief efforts, it would never get done - too many agencies lean on the “red tape” issue

• Established a FAQ for evacuees for assistance on HOGH website and local media.

• Distributed Fact Sheet on Top 10 needs to be done first for evacuees.

Response Activities in 2 Weeks - Continued

• Distributed daily PRESS RELEASE on current situation and statistics e.g. how you can help, food drives, Civic Groups drive, Business Volunteer Council assistance etc

• Established and distributed to websites and media a log to include Need, Agency Name, Services, Address and contact info.

• Established and distributed to websites and media necessary forms for FEMA registration, housing, volunteering etc. to provide logistics and accountability for FEMA reporting.

Activities 3 – 6 Weeks

• Coordinated Fresh Start Job Fair at local arena to provide PT and FT employment for Evacuees. Provided lunch and FEMA assistance as well. Collaborated with local media to publicize and promote

• Coordinated Mental Health Fair with lunch and individual/family counseling

• Identified Pet Friendly Hotels and provided media listing for evacuees

• Distributed FEMA Statewide Referral Listing of agencies and services

Response 6 – 12 weeks

• We are here when you need us most short and long term – promotion tool for evacuees

• Established Translation services to the large Vietnamese and Hispanic community through HandsOn Volunteer Language Bank

• Primary link between FBO’s, non-profits, NGO’s and evacuees

• Established and implemented VOAD

• Coordinated multiple Mission Trips for volunteers in collaboration with the FBO’s

LESSONS LEARNED

• MITIGATE disaster – It is not if, but when it will happen to our neighborhood and community

• Establish VOAD and MATRIX of key stakeholders

• Meet at least monthly or bimonthly with membership to provide ongoing relationship

• EMA plan – Read it and if HandsOn affiliate be in it

Lessons Learned - Continued

• Training, Training, Training. OFFER VRC to Civic Groups and offer “to go box” so they can be part of the solution.

• Flexibility - KEY TO SUCCESS – nothing is as it seems in a disaster

• Get face to face with FBO’s beyond community as they often provide additional equipment, financial, skills needed in disaster response e.g. NVOAD membership nationwide

EXPERIENCE HAS DRIVEN

• MOU with all agencies that are part of VOAD. Don’t wait until a disaster to find out who doesn’t play well in the sandbox e.g. identify R & R.

• Organize volunteers pre-disaster – establish job descriptions for VRC and provide necessary forms. E.G. 1)photo id, age limit, fill out sign in sheet, issue wristband to identify as registered. 2) short orientation on policies and procedures of volunteer duty. Review safety etc 3)volunteers go to staging

Experience Has Driven - Continued

• area where they await deployment orders. Volunteers escort groups to site to perform task.

• Pre-incident training – e.g. NIMS compliant

• Partnership with local businesses to identify support and volunteers

• Communicate - daily 1pm calls with state office for agency report VOAD.

RESOURCES

• COOP for Non-Profits

• HOGH/EMA MOU

• VOAD SOPS

• Forms and Materials on request

• Contact: Sheila McFerran 256-539-7797 (work)

• or 256-653-1104 (cell)

• sheila@mcferranconsulting.com

• www.McFerranConsulting.Com – provides training on

COOP, Volunteer Management, Disaster Mitigation.