...Preparedness and Resilience Planning during Hurricane Sandy: Hurricane Sandy Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina University of Maryland University College Homeland Security Management: Resilience Planning and Preparedness for Disaster Response and Recovery (2152), Spring 2015 Written By: Brittany Wiley Introduction: Major Hurricane disasters along the coastlines have affected many cities and communities which have forced them to take into action and adopt the conception of emergency management, such as resilience planning, disaster preparedness, response and recovery planning. Mitigation preparedness plays an effective part in the emergency management plan. Many cities and communities must explore strategies to reduce the major impact these disasters have and implement resilience planning that will allow communities to rebuild. According to the National Disaster Recovery Framework (2011), “a successful recovery process promotes practices that minimize the community’s risk to all hazards and strengthens it’s ability to withstand and recover from future disasters, which constitute a community’s resiliency” (p. 11). Furthermore, Hurricane disaster’s not only expose community’s vulnerabilities but it gives them the opportunity to rebuild with more resiliency. When comparing two devastating Hurricane disasters that have impacted many cities, communities and lives; it’s important to consider Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and Hurricane Sandy, New Jersey and New York. Both...
Words: 2725 - Pages: 11
...As the response to Hurricane Katrina and relevant recovery operations required ethical decision-making, due attention should be paid to assessment of the validity and effectiveness of ethical decisions. There are many resources, both videos and articles, that provide detailed description of the tragic situations created by the impact of the natural disaster and some ethical dilemmas faced by responders. In all cases, the concepts of ethics, justice, equity, equality, and professional competence played an important role in decision-making processes. The storm caused “more than 1,800 fatalities and more than $100 billion in damage” (American Society of Civil Engineers, 2015). Policy makers’ decisions caused harm and completely destroyed the...
Words: 699 - Pages: 3
...Seraphim Major Susan Washburn College Writing 04 December 2014 FEMA August 25, 2005 Hurricane Katrina tore through the coast lands. Taking people’s homes and everything they owned. Lives taken and people lost unable to be found within the debris. The inefficient performance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina resulted from the failure of the administration of President Bush to respond (Outman). They should have done more. Hurricane Katrina, and the subsequent flooding that devastated New Orleans in August 2005, has posed the greatest challenge and evoked some of the harshest criticism the agency has ever faced. Due to Michael Brown’s lack of experience, Chertoff’s lack of responsibility, and President Bush’s response FEMA; hundreds of lives were lost. Alex Rich states, “FEMA was created by President Carter in 1979, elevated to Cabinet level in 1993, and incorporated into the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, FEMA is charged with guiding the federal response to the nation's disasters both natural and man-made.” The agency manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration as well as helps prepare state and local emergency managers by providing first responder and emergency preparedness training. The Department of Homeland Security channels funding to federal operations and provides grants to state and local agencies. FEMA defers to state and local emergency teams to handle disasters at their...
Words: 1031 - Pages: 5
...Communication: Past and Present HCS/320 July 25, 2013 Sandra Alviso Communication: Past and Present Every country suffers from natual dissasters. In 1979 at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station there was a malfunction that Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton miss communicated to the public. (Rose, 2011). In 2005 Mother Nature brought Hurricane Katrina to the coast Lousiana and, she devastated the city of New Orleans. Today our community’s natural disaster is a life-threatening biological agent which has spread in the water supply of several towns. Technology has changed the way a community in a disaserous situation communicates after the Three Mile Island and Hurricane Katrina. Comparing the way an Emergency Management Office communicates with the public and the groups involved, the advantages and challenges that come with the past and present communication technology, and the media opportunities used in today’s world. Individuals and Groups With a life-threatening situation there are many individuals and groups internally and externally that need to be notified of the situation. Within the office the entire staff needs to be aware of the seriousness of the situation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Center for Disease Control Center (CDC) are a few federal agencies that need to be aware of the situation. The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) was directed by Congress to develop the first National...
Words: 1574 - Pages: 7
...AMERICAN RED CROSS AND THE KATRINA EMERGENCY 3 The American Red Cross has people, systems, and plans in place to respond to disasters. They are considered the go-to agency in cases of emergencies and crisis when people are in need, with much success. The American Red Cross response to Hurricane Katrina surpassed any disaster response before it and nothing in the last ten years has reached its magnitude. “The Red Cross: Provided more than 3.8 million overnight stays in shelters across 31 states and Washington, D.C. – seven times higher than any other disaster up to that point. Served nearly 68 million meals and snacks, four times more than what the Red Cross had ever provided during past relief efforts. For the first time, served a million meals in a single day. Provided emergency financial assistance to 1.4 million families – nearly 20 times more than any response prior to Katrina” (The American Red Cross, 2017). These numbers show how effective their planning can be, nevertheless with the magnitude of...
Words: 1630 - Pages: 7
...Natural eco system services regulating water flow was replaced with machines levees and pumps that keep the water off the streets. This had lack of regard for natural ecosystems left the city of New Orleans, vulnerable to a catastrophic flooding during this Category 5 Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina had been listed one of the most horrible storms in history. The environmental consequence was devastating. New Orleans was vulnerable to wind and water, and over time a great deal has been done to help save this city from harm. Hurricanes Katrina storm course breached floodwalls and levees New Orleans, causing a widespread of damage along with the hampering rescue and improvement. The flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina was predicted, the degree of flooding was vague. Since much of the landscape of the city is underneath the sea level and lacking natural drainage precipitation frequently causes local flooding which is controlled by a system of canals and pumps (Cater 2005). New Orleans was faced with flooding threats from the Mississippi River, costal storms and severe precipitation. The levees as well as floodwalls around the city were intended to present a certain level of defense for such threat as Katrina. However the levees prevented the deposition of sediments that remain behind after the floodwater settle. Under natural conditions these sediments replenish and maintain the delta, building up costal wetlands. Most of the nation’s flood along with storm damage reduction...
Words: 1042 - Pages: 5
...Running Header HURRICANE KATRINA Implementation Failure Stephanie Anderson Public Policy and Social Services Sociology 320 Professor John Zurovchak February 20, 2012 1 Hurricane Katrina In 2005 the United States experienced a tough lesson regarding it's preparedness related to natural diasters and it's ability to respond to the needs of it's citizens. The arrival of hurricane Katrina and the devastation that followed, revealed many weaknesses in the country's structure regarding a national emergency response system. The issues identified as the Federal Government attempted to respond to the situation revealed numerous area's of opportunity, regarding the country's lack of readiness to respond. Some of the challenges that surfaced with the wake of Katrina: Ineffective National Preparedness, Public Communication, Public Safety, Search and Rescue and Homeland Security Professional Development and Education to name a few. These challenges made it impossible for the Federal Government to provide a timely and effective response to the devastation. With the challenges that surfaced, it became apparent that new policies would need to be implemented in order to prevent the breakdown and lack of preparedness experienced with Katrina. The first being a need to adopt an effective policy regarding National Preparedness, our current system ...
Words: 812 - Pages: 4
...Evacuations and Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina . On September 1, 2005, with only twelve hours’ notice, various colleagues established a medical facility—the Katrina Clinic—at the Astrodome/Reliant Center Complex in Houston. By the time the resource facility closed about two weeks later, the Katrina Clinic medical staff had seen over 11,000 of the estimated 27,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees who sought shelter in the Complex. Herein, we designate the scope of this medical response, citing our major challenges, triumphs, and recommendations for conducting similar efforts in the future. The majority of patients who required more critical care, including hospital admission, were referred for further evaluation to publicly funded hospitals within the Harris County Hospital District, specifically, Ben Taub General Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital several times a day to reassess operations and accommodate the fluid situation. As we seek lessons from the evacuation of Hurricane Katrina, it is imperative that communications and disaster plans account for the specific obstacles run into by urban, minority communities. There work provides an opportunity to listen to the voices of the evacuees themselves. These voices lead us to believe that removing the obstacles of shelter and transportation will be insufficient to ensure safety in future disasters. Policies must additionally address the important influence of extended families and social networks through better community-based...
Words: 1435 - Pages: 6
...New Orleans was originally founded on high ground overlooking the Mississippi River, above sea level. Also surrounded by Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne, New Orleans was susceptible to hurricanes that would come up the coast into the Gulf. Originally New Orleans was naturally protected by “coastal swamps that helped absorb the energy of storm surges before they reached dry land.” (Stillman 228) At this point Americans were more concerned with the floods that happened annually from the Mississippi River. In the early days, settlers built a mile long levee to block overflows from the mighty Mississippi while landowners constructed their own levees. “In 1879, Congress created the Mississippi River Commission” (Stillman 228) in which they hoped to train the river. Herein lay one of the earliest problems. Congress assigned the Army Corps of Engineers (the “Corps”) to head this newly created commission. The Corps believed they could control Mother Nature however as the video footage from The Lost City of New Orleans: A Case Study proved, “human kind cannot take on Mother Nature”. These engineers did not have the experience however they continued to increase the levees stating this would “confine the rivers for good”. However, “the more the levees constricted the Mississippi, the higher the waters rose”. (Stillman 228) As new plans and projects for the protecting New Orleans from Mississippi floodwaters were enacted, federal government financially backed all of them...
Words: 1957 - Pages: 8
...Introduction Hurricane Katrina became the New Orleans¡¦ biggest nightmare in year 2005. Even though the city was spared the full impact of the hurricane, the city¡¦s levees were breached and flooded more than 80 percent of the city. At the end of the day, the total death toll has reached 1,836 as of May 2006, and the experts estimated the total cost of Hurricane Katrina at $81.2 billion or more. It was true that Katrina was a natural disaster; therefore, it was unpredictable and unavoidable. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) saw its approach to Katrina as a success story. However, many of the criticisms were directed toward the ill-prepared FEMA and the lack of coordination in the rescue operation, in which FEMA refuse volunteers¡¦ help including manpower and food. Some even suggested the abolishment of FEMA for good. The point at issue here is whether FEMA is effective in doing what it is suppose to do. We would identify the strength FEMA possesses, as well as the weaknesses the agency contained. Recommendations would be made in the end by using organizational behavior tools. What is FEMA? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was established as an independent agency by presidential executive order on March 31, 1979. However, after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th, FEMA became a part of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on March 1, 2003. Basically, FEMA integrates the emergency-related programs of Nations and is the central agency within the Federal...
Words: 4926 - Pages: 20
...Many businesses lost important records during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, however; “Until the overwhelming destruction of Hurricane Katrina occurred, most businesspeople never even thought about their records management needs” (Cadence Group, 2005, p. 1). However, record management must occur if businesses expect to maintain accurate records of transactions that occurred with customers, clients, or patients. Many organizations currently encourage electronic record storage because “Recent events have put a spotlight on the problems and heartache caused by not protecting your vital records from damage and loss” (Cadence Group, 2005, p. 1). Organizations face challenges when converting records to electronic format, however; credible information technology specialists oversee the process to ensure accuracy, integrity, and the ability to access, update, and retrieve records efficiently. During Hurricane Katrina Golf Coast Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, lost most of the patient records stored in the basement because of water damage on August 29, 2005. The 350-bed facility managed to implement measures allowing patients to obtain medical records to seek treatment at other medical facilities and to aid in the loss of life identifying process of patients who had medical records on file with the hospital. Golf Coast Hospital lacked the proper resources to fully ensure EMR record safety before the hurricane. However, Hurricane Katrina sparked a revelation throughout the country to...
Words: 2423 - Pages: 10
...Children fantasize about heros, often those they see in movies or on the shelves at toy stores. The possibility of having superpowers that grant the opportunity to save lives baffles the young mind. These heros become idols. If only they were real life heros, ones that could rescue them and their families. For many children left in the wrath of Hurricane Katrina a hero was difficult to come upon but greatly appreciated when found. For one said to be hero, his story has been made public displaying a superhero in reality. Zeitoun depicts a brave man who refuses to evacuate New Orleans in order to provide aid after the storm. Despite the possible horror the Hurricane would leave behind, Zeitoun channels his inner man and sticks out the storm in...
Words: 2034 - Pages: 9
...In New Orleans, families struggle to return to normal one year after Hurricane Katrina. © Weekly Reader Publishing, Teen Newsweek, 2006 Chakia Boutte, 12, surveys what she has lost in the year since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. The playground where she once spent afternoons is closed. Her block is full of stormwrecked homes, many abandoned. A pile of charred debris sits in front of what used to be Chakia’s house. The home was looted and burned after her family evacuated in a rescue boat. “I cried when I saw my house,” she says, remembering the first time she returned home after the storm. “[Looters] took everything, even my jar of pennies.” Chakia and her cousin Mikia Kirton, 8, have lived in Houston since the storm forced their families to move. The girls dreaded returning to school this fall. They say other kids sometimes make fun of them. “They say, ‘You used to have a home, now you live in the Astrodome,’” says Mikia. After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of evacuees had to take shelter at the Houston Astrodome. After spending time in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, Toye Domino is happy to be starting fifth grade in New Orleans. “We had to travel halfway around the country to get back here,” says Toye, 10. “I want to stay here because it’s my hometown.” For kids in New Orleans, the start of school is a welcome sign of normalcy. One year ago, their lives were forever altered by Hurricane Katrina. More than 1,300 people died because of the Aug. 29, 2005, storm. About...
Words: 938 - Pages: 4
...Thesis At no time did the gaming companies’ commitment to Mississippi prove more vital than following Hurricane Katrina. When the storm hit in August 2005, the Mississippi casinos were forced to shut their doors. Instead of abandoning Mississippi, everyone worked excitedly to restore properties, place employees back to work and bring tourists back to Mississippi’s area. In the eyes of many, the financial impact is obvious by the capital investments and the thousands of jobs created, the quality of life has been improved by the growth and additions of other tourism-related businesses such as restaurants, outdoor recreation, small hotels, museums and festivals. Casino executives have made Mississippi their home and provided extensive community leadership, and millions of dollars have been donated by the industry to local social, educational, cultural, community and economic development organizations. Positive impacts and progress that did not exist for this region just two decades ago, now exists today. (Challenges to Mississippi Gaming Development since Katrina, 2010). Main point 1: I. Gaming Growth in Mississippi Sub-point 1: A. Permitting and Approvals Sub-point 2: B. Financing Main point 2: II. Economic Growth Sub-point 1: A. Catastrophic Natural Disasters Sub-point 2: B. Redevelopment of Mississippi Main point 3: III. Mississippi Gulf Coast Casinos Sub-point 1: A. Tourist Attractions Sub-point 2: B. Positive Impacts and Progress Conclusion ...
Words: 3385 - Pages: 14
...National Response Framework (NRF): Improving America’s Disaster Response The government of the United States has experienced and continues to manifest consistent, often times sweeping, changes to the “way it does Emergency Response business.” The disastrous events of both September 11, 2001 and the unfolding tragedy of Hurricane Katrina proved to be “real-time” triggers for the evolution of governmental amendment to and eventual restructure of the overarching procedural standard for incident response in the country. One of the outcomes would become what was dubbed the National Response Framework, or NRF. This paper will present a brief outline of its core structure and purpose. Moreover, it will aim to make an opinion on whether this template for emergency response is maximally effective in its approach to the complexities associated with Incident Response in the U.S. A brief outline of the NRF structure and intent is now appropriate here. The template is a doctrinal approach to the domestic partnerships and implementation of resources above and beyond those rules set by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) (fema.gov, 2012). General audiences of NRF-specific guidance will typically be policy-level personnel or heads-of-agencies, who directly or strategically coordinate echelon and subordinate agencies at all eventual layers of government emergency response. It is driven largely by the data and regulatory information offered...
Words: 1030 - Pages: 5
