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Lessons for business resiliency in 140 characters or less

Author: 
Bruce Brodoff

Hurricane Sandy, the recent, deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma and the Boston Marathon bombing are stark reminders that businesses and commercial and industrial properties are susceptible to a wide variety of emergencies.  Hurricanes, extensive flooding, blizzards, ice storms, fires and utility disruptions are just some of the emergencies that can impact a business’ operations, bringing fresh urgency to the need for business preparedness and resiliency efforts.

Such emergencies and disasters have the potential to cripple or even destroy businesses – of all sizes and scope – that are unprepared for such events; studies show that 40% of businesses that do not have emergency plans in place do not re-open after a major incident.

Having businesses that are resilient to emergencies ultimately helps local communities and citizens recover from disasters faster – which is why business resilience is so important to FEMA.   Engaging an entire community in disaster preparedness, response and recovery activities is a main responsibility of FEMA’s Private Sector Liaisons, who work in all ten FEMA regions across the country.  As the Private Sector Liaison for FEMA Region I (which covers six states and 10 Indian Tribes in New England), I arranged for our regional office to participate in the “Weathering the Storm: How Properties Can Prepare and Respond” event that NAIOP Massachusetts, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association, hosted on May 31, 2013. 

The event focused on the important steps commercial property owners should take to prepare their properties and protect their tenants – a great topic that doesn’t get talked about enough. It also featured a variety of experts who discussed topics including the lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy, developing a storm preparedness plan, insurance impacts and legal challenges, and “preparing buildings for tomorrow.”  

With support from NAIOP Massachusetts executives, FEMA Region I Acting Administrator Paul Ford and the directors of our National Preparedness, Hazard Mitigation and External Affairs divisions, a team of FEMA experts spent several hours at the event, sharing literature with and talking to attendees interested in learning how FEMA can help them protect their business, property and tenants. 

To help capture the insights from the speakers, we live tweeted the event from the Region 1 Twitter account (@femaregion1).  So rather than rehashing all of the lessons they shared, here are the bite-sized messages posted during the event – some great tips for businesses: 

  • Vivien Li, President, The Boston Harbor Association:
  • Alfred Scaramelli, Senior Vice President, Beacon Capital Partners, LLC:
  • John Brandstetter, Managing Director, The Brandstetter Group:
  • Peter See, Boston Properties

The event in Boston last week is a great model for other communities to follow. It was successful because it provided a platform for business owners to share their stories from disasters in a way that others could apply to their own companies.  Preparing for emergencies makes good business sense. The better prepared your business and employees are and the more resilient your business is, the faster your operations can recover – helping not only your business but your community as well.

I’m thankful that NAIOP Massachusetts, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association, allowed FEMA to participate. I hope other communities will learn from this event and business owners who weren’t there will take the lessons to heart!

Other resources

Posted on Mon, 06/10/2013 - 08:08

‘Prepare for the worst, hope for the best’

Author: 
LT Stephanie Young

Editor's Note: This blog originally appeared on the U.S. Coast Guard Blog.

Petty Officer 2nd Class James Hockenberry, a flight mechanic at Air Station New Orleans, with his family. Photo courtesy of the Hockenberry family.Petty Officer 2nd Class James Hockenberry, a flight mechanic at Air Station New Orleans, with his family. Photo courtesy of the Hockenberry family.

With contributions from Susanna Marking, Office of External Affairs, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

As Hurricane Isaac inched towards the Gulf Coast in August 2012, Petty Officer 2nd Class James Hockenberry was assigned to an aircrew tasked with relocating a Coast Guard helicopter outside of the storm’s path. Left behind were his wife and two boys.

A flight mechanic at Air Station Orleans, Hockenberry’s duty to respond doesn’t stop when there is a storm on its way and he ensures his family is prepared well in advance of the storm first and foremost.

A Coast Guard aircrew flies over flooded Louisiana during Hurricane Isaac, Aug. 11, 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo.A Coast Guard aircrew flies over flooded Louisiana during Hurricane Isaac, Aug. 11, 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Stationed in New Orleans for the past three years, Hockenberry and his family have seen firsthand the very real danger tropical storms and hurricanes pose. Together, the family ensures they are ready before, during and after a storm. The Hockenberry’s summarize their hurricane preparedness plan into one simple mantra – “prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

“Even if the news is predicting a small hurricane or a large tropical storm, you never know what can happen,” said Hockenberry. “I’ve noticed that the smaller hurricanes can quicker upgrade to a major hurricane right before they make landfall.”

Communities all along the Gulf Coast count on Hockenberry and his fellow lifesavers to take action during a storm, but his family is counting on him as well. He is a lifesaver but he is also a dad.

“At the beginning of Hurricane season our command briefs us on the expectations for the upcoming season. From there I go home and I talk with my wife and my in-laws – who live only 30 minutes away – about what to expect,” said Hockenberry. “We discuss our evacuation routes…depending on the path the hurricane might take.”

Locating an additional place for shelter, identifying key evacuation routes and communicating with those around you are all critical in staying safe before a storm hits. During Isaac, his family stuck with the plan, allowing him to focus on the mission at hand – saving lives.

“I’m glad my family went to [my wife's] parent’s house because it was one less thing I had to worry about,” recalled Hockenberry. “I’m also glad they decided to go to Mobile even though no evacuation order had been given for the same reasons.”

Coast Guard helicopters from air stations Mobile, New Orleans and Houston inside the Air Station Houston hanger for protection and routine maintenance as they wait for Hurricane Isaac to make landfall, Aug. 28, 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Brahm.Coast Guard helicopters from air stations Mobile, New Orleans and Houston inside the Air Station Houston hanger for protection and routine maintenance as they wait for Hurricane Isaac to make landfall, Aug. 28, 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Brahm.

Along with discussing plans, the Hockenberry family prepares an emergency kit. Filled with food that won’t spoil, gallons of water, flashlights, batteries and extra diapers, the kit is ready regardless of what is forecasted. They also fill up a propane container – to have something to cook with, buy extra ice and top off all vehicles early since gas lines fill up hours before a hurricane makes landfall.

Discussing emergency plans and having the necessary tools is an annual reality for Hockenberry and his family. But despite the frequency, they never let their guard down.

“Isaac was only a Category 1 however it caused widespread flooding because it was so slow moving and power was out around the city for about five days after the storm had passed and base didn’t get power back until eight days after the storm had passed,” recalled Hockenberry.

The Hockenberry family’s preparedness was put to the test during Isaac but they stuck to their plan and everyone stayed safe. We encourage you and your family to stay ready as well. You are the first line of defense to make sure you and your loved ones stay safe during a hurricane. The time to prepare is now.

Posted on Thu, 06/06/2013 - 15:37

Searching for Items for our Emergency Kit – Hurricane Week Edition

Author: 
Flat Stanley and Flat Stella

It’s National Hurricane Preparedness week and our friends at FEMA wanted us to do something fun to make sure Stella and I are prepared for the start of hurricane season, June 1. We’ve heard a lot about how it’s important to have an emergency kit – it is a collection of basic items your family may need in the event of an emergency.

So to help us get our kit together, we did a scavenger hunt for things already around the house that are also great things to use during an emergency.

Bowie, Md., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stella and Flat Stanley participate in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for their emergency supplies kit. Bowie, Md., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stella and Flat Stanley participate in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for their emergency supplies kit.

First we had to find our battery powered weather radio that sends out alert when severe weather is in our area.  We also found a basic first aid that we can add to our kit.

Alexandria, Va., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stella and Flat Stella participate in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for their scavenger hunt. Alexandria, Va., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stella and Flat Stella participate in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for their scavenger hunt.

Next we needed to find something to help us see in the dark in case the power goes out… our clue says it would be under the sofa… it’s a flashlight!

Bowie, Md., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stella and Flat Stanley participate in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for their emergency supplies kit. Bowie, Md., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stella and Flat Stanley participate in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for their emergency supplies kit.

We’ve got a good start so far, but there’s more we can add to our kit. Our next clue says to head to the kitchen pantry for something to quench our thirst. We found bottled water....

Bowie, Md., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stella participates in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for her emergency supplies kit. Bowie, Md., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stella participates in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for her emergency supplies kit.

Our final clue says to look under the sink for something to help our radio and flashlight work.

Bowie, Md., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stanley participates in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for his emergency supplies kit. Bowie, Md., May 30, 2013 -- Flat Stanley participates in a scavenger hunt to find supplies for his emergency supplies kit.

We found batteries!

The scavenger hunt was a fun and easy way to help us get prepared! We used simple items around the house to get our kit started. And you can do the same. Getting prepared doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Take items from around your house and start your emergency kit today!

Visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes to learn how you can prepare for the upcoming hurricane season!

Posted on Fri, 05/31/2013 - 11:04

National Dam Safety Awareness Day: Dam Safety is a Shared Responsibility

Author: 
David Miller

May 31 is National Dam Safety Awareness Day, established to encourage and promote individual and community responsibility and best practices for dam safety, and to highlight the steps people can take to prevent future catastrophic dam failures or lessen the impact of a potential failure.  FEMA recognizes National Dam Safety Awareness Day in order to help promote the benefits that dams can offer to communities nationwide.

This commemoration serves as an important national initiative for FEMA at both the national level as well as through several local events this year in Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Virginia. One of the events happening in Henrico County, Virginia is the Virginia Dam First Aid Program.  It’s aimed at helping Virginia dam owners with routine and emergency repairs that will be demonstrated at Echo Lake Park by Virginia’s Department of Conservation and Recreation.

National Dam Safety Awareness Day commemorates the tragic failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on May 31, 1889, which resulted in the loss of over 2,200 lives, and was the worst dam failure in the history of the United States.

damage after Johnstown floodDestruction after the South Fork Dam failure in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Photo credit: National Park Service

Dams are a vital part of the American infrastructure and provide economic, environmental, and social benefits. Anyone who has enjoyed an artificial lake knows some of these social benefits firsthand.  The benefits of dams, however, can be countered by the risks they sometimes present. The failure of even a small dam is capable of causing significant property and environmental damage, as well as the loss of life.

For 30 years, FEMA and its federal partners have worked to reduce the impacts of dam failures across the nation through the National Dam Safety Program. The program, led by FEMA, is a partnership of States, Federal agencies, and other stakeholders encouraging individual and community responsibility for dam safety. Reducing the risk of dam failure is the driving force of the National Dam Safety Program, central to the mission of ensuring that the public and property owners downstream of dams are informed of the risk of dam failure.

Here’s a snapshot of what the National Dam Safety Program is all about:

  • Raising public awareness of dam safety,
  • Lessening the impacts of dam failure by assisting States in establishing and maintaining dam safety programs,
  • Providing technical training to state and federal dam safety staff, and
  • Supporting research and the development of guidance to advance the practice of dam safety to improve public safety.

States have the responsibility for regulating about 80 percent of the dams in the United States. With support by the National Dam Safety Program, state dam safety programs have been raising dam safety awareness with the goal of preventing a dam failure like the one experienced in Johnstown over a century ago.  The program serves as a real investment in preventing dam failures and reducing the impacts of such failures on lives and property.

A great example of the National Dam Safety Program in action is in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  With funding from a National Dam Safety Program grant, the Commonwealth developed a process for estimating costs and prioritizing dam safety rehabilitation needs across the state.  In 2012, the Virginia legislature approved $14 million for the repair of State-owned high hazard  dams in need  of repair throughout Virginia, largely as a result of the research and analysis from this program.

So take a look at the resources below and learn more about dam safety.  On this National Dam Safety Awareness Day, or any day that you’re enjoying the benefits of a dam in your community, remember that a team effort goes into making them as safe as possible.

Other resources

Posted on Thu, 05/30/2013 - 16:56

Take Action & Pledge this National Hurricane Preparedness Week

Author: 
Lars Anderson

hurricane winds

We’re kicking off National Hurricane Preparedness Week! Once again, we’ve teamed up with our partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to encourage all Americans to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, which officially starts this Saturday, June 1 and lasts until November 30. Above all, hurricanes are powerful forces of nature that not only cause damage to coastlines, but also hundreds of miles inland as well because of flooding.  

The impact of Hurricane Sandy was felt in Puerto Rico, Florida and other parts of the East Coast, and this video shows just how much damage Hurricane Sandy caused in the Northeast:

All week long we’ll be posting hurricane safety resources and information, encouraging everyone to take two simple actions:

  • Pledge to prepare – It’s an easy step as you take action to prepare your home, family, and business against hurricanes and other severe weather. By taking this pledge, you’re taking the first step in ensuring you’re ready for severe weather.
  • Share your pledge with someone you know - Once you pledge, encourage other family members, friends, and neighbors to take the pledge and prepare for hurricane season. We hope you join us in spreading the word this week and encouraging everyone you know to prepare. Having a plan and being prepared for can make a world of difference during an emergency and severe weather.

And in case you missed it, you can also receive hurricane safety tips directly to your phone, by texting HURRICANE to 43362 (4FEMA).  And of course, standard message and data rates apply.

I hope you’ll join us in sharing hurricane safety this week!

Posted on Mon, 05/27/2013 - 10:12

Turn Building Safety into Action During Building Safety Month

Author: 
Roy Wright

In my experience, people tend to think that making their home or business more resistant to disasters is a very complex process that requires many professionals.  However, in the majority of cases, a little do-it-yourself effort can go a long way.  Making your home safer can be as simple as clearing flammable materials around your home if you live in an area prone to wildfires – or as complex as using specialized techniques when rebuilding your home after a disaster.

This month has been designated by the President as National Building Safety Month to highlight the importance of disaster-resistant building codes and standards that can help build stronger and safer communities across the nation.

One way FEMA helps promote disaster-resilient communities is through our support of national building code and standards organizations like the International Code Council along with state and local building officials. FEMA strongly supports our partners who promote the importance of disaster-resistant building codes and standards that can help communities reduce the impacts of natural disasters, protect the environment and save energy.

These codes translate into tangible, actionable things you can do as a homeowner or business owner that will make any building more resilient. Things like:

  • Elevating your home or business property.
  • Using more resilient construction materials.
  • Employing safe and sustainable design methods. 

FEMA continually works with building officials, design professionals, scientists, and engineers from Federal, State, territorial, local, non-profit, tribal, and private sector organizations to develop disaster-resistant guidance and tools. Communities and individuals consult FEMA’s technical guidance publications every day  to protect homes and businesses from earthquakes, fires, floods, tornados, winds, and other hazards.

For example, following Hurricane Isaac’s impact in August 2012, FEMA’s Hurricane Isaac Mitigation Assessment Team evaluated damage from the storm to the northern Gulf Coast of the United States, then developed recommendations for improvements in building design, construction, and code development and enforcement. The team also documented activities that made rebuilding easier, while increasing the safety of those structures.

And obviously, building safety continues to play a key part in the rebuilding effort after Hurricane Sandy.  Thousands of structures were damaged from the storm, some with foundational damage like this one:


damaged homeNorwalk, Conn., Nov. 10, 2012 -- This home's foundation was built with a break-away wall ocean-side several years ago after the home was storm damaged. In Hurricane Sandy, it collapsed - allowing the water to flow under the house, which was not damaged. FEMA mitigation specialists distribute information on up-to-date construction techniques to ensure a safer rebuilding of a home. Literature can also be requested through FEMA's website. Photo by Marilee Caliendo/FEMA

After disasters we make a substantial effort to make sure building back safer and stronger is top of mind.  We send “Mitigation Outreach Specialists” into impacted communities to speak directly with local homeowners and businesses looking to rebuild. Our primary location for these outreach specialists to visit is local home improvement stores.  That’s where people go to buy supplies or ask questions about repairing their home, so that’s where we focus our on-the-ground effort.  Here are a few of our outreach specialists in action after storms and flooding impacted Mississippi earlier this year:

fema help at home improvement storeHattiesburg, Miss., Feb. 27, 2013 -- Hazard Mitigation Specialists are at Lowe's to distribute information and answer questions for customers. FEMA has Hazard Mitigation specialists working in Mississippi with training in building safe rooms. Photo by Marilee Caliendo/FEMA

fema staff at home improvement storeHattiesburg, Miss., Feb. 23, 2013 -- Iris Fields, Hazard Mitigation Specialist, prepares a display illustrating construction elements of a safe room. FEMA has Hazard Mitigation specialists at Home Depot, distributing advice and information about making a safe room in your home. Photo by Marilee Caliendo/FEMA

In addition to the outreach in impacted communities, FEMA works very closely with state, local, and tribal officials to ensure they have the right tools to ensure a fully recovery.

This is just the “tip of the iceberg” about how FEMA supports building safety all year round.  To learn more about important steps you can take to help better prepare your home or business property  by building stronger, safer structures, visit fema.gov or go to the Building Safety Month Website for additional information and resources.

Posted on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 17:14

My Time in the Water: Flood Safety Lessons Learned

Author: 
Scott Schermerhorn

As part of the Swift Water Rescue Team for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in Virginia, I have been involved in swift water responses for the past decade. Over the course of these responses, I have learned much about the power of water and the damage that floods can create. Floods, caused by nature or man-made, can occur at any time and can affect anyone. Being prepared and heeding warnings and public safety announcements may be the only way to ensure your safety.  Let me discuss a few of the situations I’ve seen as a rescuer and how they tie back to some of the common phrases we hear about flood safety:

“Be Prepared”

Being prepared for a flood, especially in times of increased risk is paramount to remaining safe and secure when the flood occurs. Flood safety plans should include identifying areas of risk around your home and neighborhood, knowing evacuation routes and staying clear of streams, drainage channels and areas that are prone to flash flooding. Be ready, heed the warnings of the National Weather Service and seek out higher ground. If you become trapped in high water and cannot escape, contact 9-1-1 and follow the directions of the public safety officials.

One of the incidents I discuss when I teach water rescue is one in which the gentleman that we rescued was not prepared for the flood, nor did he follow the directions of his rescuers. At shift change on a particularly raining morning, my crew was discussing and preparing for what we eventually knew would come. The tones went off for a car in a flooded roadway and we were on the road. We arrived on the scene to find a gentlemen sitting on top of his car, with water up to the bottom of the windows. We prepared to evacuate him, and when we got to the side of the car, the gentlemen would not leave the car. He was not panicked, or distraught, but had been told by the dispatcher to seek higher ground and the top of the car was as high as he could find! We were there to rescue him and take him to safety, but he was going to listen to the dispatcher. After a lot of discussion and coaxing, we were finally able to ensure the gentleman that the safest place was the higher ground out of the water and not the higher ground of his vehicle.

Fairfax, Va., Aug. 12, 2010 -- This swift water rescue team helps people stranded in a vehicle due to flooding.

CAPTION: Fairfax, Va., Aug. 12, 2010 -- This swift water rescue team helps people stranded in a vehicle due to flooding.

“Turn Around, Don’t Drown”

Since 2001 when NOAA’s National Weather Service first produced the “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” public information campaign the number of people that have heard the warning cannot be counted. This however, does not mean that the campaign is complete. On nearly all of the swift water rescues that I have run, those that we set out to rescue have not heeded the warning and made the conscious decision to enter the flood waters. When a vehicle is driven into the water, the occupants typically do not realize the peril that they have placed themselves in. People can be swept off their feet in as little as 6 inches of water --most cars float at 12 inches. It only takes minutes in the right conditions for a meandering stream to become a torrent that can sweep vehicles away.

Fairfax, Va., June 1, 2012 -- Cars attempt to drive through these flooded streets. It is important to remember, turn around, don't drown.

CAPTION: Fairfax, Va., June 1, 2012 -- Cars attempt to drive through these flooded streets. It is important to remember, turn around, don't drown.

One of my most memorable swift water rescues occurred at a location that floods often and is familiar to many because of this. The incident was at the height of a long rain storm that had flooded many locations throughout the county. We had been at the intersection earlier in the storm and had evacuated a couple from their car before it was lifted and taken into the woods. The evacuation occurred quickly and was uneventful. After the incident, the police closed the road with cones, banner tape, and a police cruiser was standing by until a more significant barricade could be put in-place. A couple of hours had gone by since the first evacuation, when we were called back to the location for another vehicle stranded in the water. As we responded, we were all trying to determine if we were going back to check the car that we had evacuated earlier or if this was a new rescue. We arrived on the scene, saw a new car in the water and questioned the police officer as to what had happened. His response was that the car had driven around the cruiser, over the cones, stopped at the water’s edge, and then proceeded to try to cross the water. After evacuating the woman from the car, her response to why she did it was that “the water didn’t look that deep.” Little did she realize that her actions tied up numerous emergency response units, and put our lives in jeopardy as we evacuated her from the water that she should never have driven into.

Tuscan, Ariz., July 23, 2007 -- A woman waits to be rescued by Tucson Fire Department firefighters from the roof of her car that was swept down the Rodeo Wash just south of East Irvington Road and west of South Park Avenue Monday July 23, 2007. Heavy rains hit Tucson in the early afternoon flooding washes and downing power lines across the city.

CAPTION: Tuscan, Ariz., July 23, 2007 -- A woman waits to be rescued by Tucson Fire Department firefighters from the roof of her car that was swept down the Rodeo Wash just south of East Irvington Road and west of South Park Avenue Monday July 23, 2007. Heavy rains hit Tucson in the early afternoon flooding washes and downing power lines across the city.

“Floods can occur anywhere, at any time”

All floods, including flash floods can occur anywhere, at any time. Although it has been related that “anywhere it rains, it can flood,” this does not accurately characterize the flood threat. Floods can be caused by a number of reasons, and not just precipitation. Snow can melt, and mechanical devices such as dams and pipes can break. When this happens, the potential for floods becomes a reality.

The weather on December 23, 2008 was frigidly cold and clear. Another day at the firehouse, my crew was thinking more of building fires due to space heaters, than water rescues. With no precipitation in the forecast there wouldn’t be a flood, and no one would dare go near the river in this cold. But, as has been proven time and again, floods can occur anywhere, any time. My rescue squad was dispatched to assist a neighboring county with a swift water rescue. The cause was a burst water pipe that at the height of the break was spewing 135 million gallons per minute down River Road. The torrent trapped a number of motorists and multiple rescues occurred through the quick actions of the numerous first responders on the scene. By the time the water was turned off and the incident stabilized all those trapped were rescued and we were once again reminded of the power of moving water.

I urge you to learn from my experience.  The three phrases we commonly hear about flooding - “be prepared”, “turn around, don’t drown”, and “floods can occur anywhere, at any time” – they all have valuable meaning behind them that can save lives.  Take the opportunity this week to learn about staying safe from flooding. 

Editor’s Note: The views expressed by Scott E. Schermerhorn do not necessarily represent the official views of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA does not endorse any non-government organizations, entities, or services.

Posted on Thu, 03/21/2013 - 15:43

Tailoring the Message for a Nonprofit's Audience

Author: 
Neil McDevitt

In the past two years, the Greater Philadelphia region has seen its share of major severe weather disasters.  From severe storms to two hurricanes, the sight of wind-damaged homes, floating cars, and people spending time in neighborhood shelters has become a sadly familiar sight.

We also know that while we can’t always control when and how Mother Nature will strike our area, we know we can take active steps to prepare for disasters.  At the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre (DHCC), we also recognize that we have a role in making sure we’re keeping the community we serve informed as well.

As the region’s oldest and largest non-profit serving the communication access needs of deaf and hard of hearing, we know first-hand the effects of severe weather, especially for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

After Hurricane Sandy struck last year, there were widespread power outages up and down the Eastern seaboard.  For most people, this made recovery particularly difficult.  For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, this was even more difficult because it also cuts off crucial methods of communication with family, friends, and more importantly, official sources of emergency information.

At DHCC, we’ve become a partner in FEMA’s “Be A Force of Nature” campaign and have taken the “Pledge to Prepare” at Ready.gov.    Beyond that, we’re also taking the Severe Weather Preparedness Week toolkit that we received after taking the pledge and are adapting it to meet the needs of our community.

video screenshot

CAPTION: Neil McDevitt, Executive Director for the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, uses social media and video as one communication vehicle to reach his organization's audience about disaster preparedness.

The materials in the toolkit make it really easy for us to deliver content and value to our community members.  We know that information provided in accessible formats is a crucial element for everyone to be prepared for the next disaster.   Other non-profit organizations can adapt these messages for their constituents.  Examples include translating messages into other languages, or making them culturally relevant to that population’s needs.

Preparing for and responding to disasters requires the involvement of the whole community and a very important part of that effort includes community-based and faith-based non-profit organizations.  At DHCC, we’re proud to be a part of the effort.

Posted on Fri, 03/08/2013 - 10:34

Linkin Park Has an Emergency Plan Before Severe Weather Strikes

Author: 
Jim Digby

As the production manager for world-renowned rock band Linkin Park (LP), risk mitigation is at the top of the priority list.  Linkin Park are at the forefront of finding and creating better solutions to ensure the safety of all those in and around their performances. 

Severe weather is more common than most realize.  That is why we have a solution for outdoor event weather monitoring by accredited meteorologists who advise us through predictive forecasting technologies at all of our outdoor events.  Weather Decision Technologies (WDT), located next to NOAA’s severe weather research and forecasting experts in Norman, Okla., has partnered with us to create the first ever weather decision and alerting matrix deployed specifically for outdoor events.  Here's some of the matrix:

decision matrix

In place throughout the back stage area at a Linkin Park concert are printed decision matrices that advise the crew of the exact actions that are to take place under predetermined weather thresholds which we are advised of through our relationship with WDT.

Linkin Park are also the first-ever touring musical artist to receive the NOAA “Storm Ready” recognition, achieved by demonstrating and fulfilling the NOAA requirements of planning, preparedness and alerting methodologies.  This was a proud moment for Linkin Park and a step forward in the industry. The StormReady program has helped over 2000 communities develop emergency plans to handle severe weather. Going to an outdoor concert or entertainment event should always offer an opportunity to happily escape from the day-today grind of life.  Most times, as you prepare to attend an event, you are likely to be thinking only about the great music or entertainment you are about to participate in; we believe however you should also take a minute to consider your personal safety.

linkin park storm ready

During National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, I want to provide you with tips that could save your life.  The better prepared you are the greater your chances of not being caught off guard by inclement weather during an outdoor event.  The good news is it only takes a few minutes to prepare.  Heat, rain, lightning, hail and damaging winds are all possible game changers at outdoor events. Packing sunscreen, a fully charged mobile device with an advanced weather app (there are lots out there, just search “weather” in your smartphone’s app store) that will deliver life-saving watches and warnings from the National Weather Service, and plenty of water are all precautions one should take before heading out for a day of outdoor entertainment.

Once on site take a minute to familiarize yourself with the surroundings; know your exits, your shelter areas, your means of egress back to your vehicle (which is often times the safest place to be) and the alerting methods that will advise you when it is necessary to take shelter.  Be prepared to look after yourself in the face of these risks as not all outdoor entertainment sites are prepared to safely shelter everyone in attendance.  Don’t be afraid to ask a venue representative what the audience evacuation plan is in the face of foul weather. If they don’t have a suitable answer its best you take a minute to create your own plan.  Remember it’s only an entertainment event – if the threat of severe weather is heading your way take shelter and only return when the all-clear is given. 

Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don’t be near temporary structures such as scaffolding and tents if high winds are forecasted.

Look for the “Storm Ready” placards. If you see these on site then there IS a plan in place from the venue - they will have alerting systems and the necessary instructions for you to follow when the threat of weather becomes real. 

If you don’t already have a family preparedness plan, now is the time to Be a Force of Nature:  know your risk of severe weather, take action, pledge to prepare and be an example, tell others how to prepare.

These few tips can be a matter of life and death.  Enjoy yourself. But do it safely by having a plan for severe weather.

Posted on Thu, 03/07/2013 - 17:10

April 2011 – the Hardest in My Career

Author: 
Jim Stefkovich

When the majority of your entire 30+ year career stretches between Georgia and Texas, you unfortunately see a lot of damage, destruction and death from severe weather.  You see so much of it that it can become numbing, humbling and saddening.

Still, nothing prepared me and National Weather Service (NWS) Birmingham for the events of April, 2011 and the weeks that followed.  The story actually begins on April 15, 2011, when 45 tornadoes occurred across Alabama along with 7 fatalities.  As a state, we all were still recovering when we realized a major and devastating outbreak of tornadoes would occur during the last week of April. 

For almost a week prior to April 27th, NWS Birmingham, as well as other NWS offices, predicted this significant weather event, and by April 25th, provided numerous products and services forecasting the potential for several waves of severe weather, including violent, long-track tornadoes.  Some of these services included working with local TV stations and conducting radio interviews, numerous Emergency Management briefings on the statewide 800 MHz radio system, and providing high impact web graphics and multimedia presentations.  

Within the office, plans were made to provide extra staffing on the 27th from 4 AM through the end of the event, as well as provisions for storm damage survey teams in the days after the event. The office electronics staff and Information Technology Officer (ITO) were also scheduled strategically to ensure any problems with communications or computer systems could be addressed and resolved as quickly as possible.  

As a result, prior to the most intense activity on the afternoon of April 27th, key decision makers and the general public alike were alerted to the potential for a significant severe weather outbreak.  Based on information and forecasts provided by our office, numerous schools across the County Warning Area were either closed for the day or closed early, and Government agencies and businesses closed early.  By mid-morning, Governor Bentley signed a declaration of emergency in anticipation of the expected outbreak, and the Alabama State Emergency Operations Center was activated at the same level as a landfalling hurricane.

Shortly after midnight on the 27th, the first of three waves of tornadic storms occurred.  Another wave around noon.  Then the final wave during the late afternoon into the late evening.  Almost 20 straight hours of severe weather with 62 tornadoes.  Over 250 souls lost, with hundreds more injured.  Incredible, widespread damage.  109 total tornadoes in April alone, which exceeded the all-time record for an entire year!

At the NWS Birmingham office, everyone knew the stakes on April 27th.   We were focused and driven to put out the best warning and additional information to everyone.  As the third wave unfolded and it became apparent that multiple tornadoes were on the ground and people were dying because of them, some of the staff were overwhelmed with emotion and needed to be relieved for a few minutes to regain composure.  And, they did.  We became even more focused until the entire event ended.

tornado damage

CAPTION: Pratt City, Ala., April 29, 2011 –-- One home in Pratt City demolished when deadly tornadoes swept through Alabama on April 27.

For months after April 2011, before every severe weather event, numerous people would ask how the upcoming event would compare to the 27th.  I told them that comparisons were impossible, but just one straight line wind event, one tornado or one flash flood causing death and destruction is their and your April 27th.

You see, we at the National Weather Service take our role of providing life-saving information very seriously.  I get great satisfaction knowing I helped someone, and am greatly saddened when people don’t bother or care to know about impending danger. Our best forecasts and warnings mean nothing if YOU don't do something with this information.  So, please join us.  Take this week to learn about the threats.  Learn how to receive hazardous weather alerts and updates.  Finally, develop a plan to protect yourself and others before hazardous weather strikes.  The life you save may be your own!

Posted on Thu, 03/07/2013 - 14:07

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