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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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April
2009
Volume
16
- Number 3 |
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Anticipating the 2009 Hurricane Season: Is anything
different in the
plans? Robin
GreenPope The 2009 hurricane
season begins June 1, 2009 and, according
to national experts, has a 63% chance of delivering a category 3
hurricane or
greater (above average). But with the lessons of Katrina still fresh in
our
minds, are we any better off? A typical
hurricane is first managed at the State and local
level, but is usually quickly supplemented by federal resources, such
as FEMA.
FEMA, however, relies on assistance from other federal agencies, the
National
Guard, and the Department of Defense to execute. Every year,
National Guard leaders from 11 hurricane-prone
states meet to plan for the upcoming hurricane season. But this year in
February 2009, the National Guard leaders from those states welcomed US
NORTHCOM as a co-host and were joined by 27 states, a handful of
federal
partners, and five major commands. This meeting was considered the
first of its
kind “Joint Hurricane Planning Workshop” where subgroups planned
responses at
all levels in their chain of command. Local and regional planning
meetings had
been held in the past, but Katrina showed that not only do State and
locals
need to meet, but Federal partners need to be involved at those
meetings to
plan responses and make connections early so that each player
understands the
other’s roles and responsibilities. There was no published evidence,
however,
to indicate that agreements and understandings were memorialized as a
result of
the meeting. At the same time, it was well received by all involved and
they
hope to continue this model of planning in the future. Other hurricane
conferences have been conducted for decades,
including the annual National Hurricane Conference and the annual
Governor’s
Hurricane Conference. But upon reviewing their agendas it is not clear
that
they promote a culture of real world scenario planning or preparedness.
Rather,
they promote hurricane planning as simply hurricane awareness. It even
appears
to have become a thriving business. It is unclear
whether there have been any specific changes
as a result of these meetings, but the Joint Hurricane Planning
Workshop shows
that they are clearly trying new ways to involve more players early for
serious
planning. If nothing else
changes, at least the change in leadership
of FEMA may bring new ideas. Craig Fugate was nominated to become the
FEMA
Administrator in early March 2009. He comes with an impressive track
record for
his response to Hurricane readiness involves comprehensive planning throughout the entire emergency management cycle; Homes and businesses can be structurally reinforced (mitigation), citizens can plan evacuation routes (preparedness), and local, State, and Federal agencies can work together to distribute resources (response and recovery). So yes, each year the players get a little wiser, but it may take a while longer until comprehensive planning throughout the entire emergency management cycle is realized. Works Cited 2009 Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference Website http://www.flghc.org/ 2009 National Hurricane Conference Website http://www.hurricanemeeting.com/ FEMA Hurricane Website http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/index.shtm “Forecasters: 2009 to bring “above average” hurricane season” http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/weather/12/10/hurricane.season.2009/index.html “Obama’s FEMA pick offers calm after the storm” http://www.kansascity.com/444/story/1081530.html “Napolitano cites
experience in disaster plans”
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/09/napolitano-cites-experience-in-disaster-plans/
“National Guard gears up for 2009 hurricane season” http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/02/20/17223-national-guard-gears-up-for-2009-hurricane-season/ |