Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Essential Capabilities

Too often we hear that rescue efforts, emergency responses and "restarting" hospitals etc. have been halted due to the lack of power immediately after a disaster has hit. Many places have emergency generators, but will rely on having fuel delivered to sustain their capabilities. We are in the design phase of an easily deployable 40' container that contains solar panels, small wind turbines combined with storage solutions ...more »

Potential solutions to address the challenges we face in implementing actions: Expand the use of public and private sector partnerships(P.S.R.S./M.A.R.S./R.A.C.E.S./A.R.E.S./S.A.T.E.R.N.) related to emergency communications. The private sector owns more than 85 percent of critical infrastructure, government and emergency response agencies own and operate communications systems that support their critical missions, including ...more »

Recognition that government at all levels cannot manage disasters alone means that communities need the opportunity to draw on their full potential to operate effectively. Empowering local action requires allowing members of the communities to lead—not follow—in identifying priorities, organizing support, implementing programs, and evaluating outcomes. The emergency manager promotes and coordinates, but does not direct, ...more »

During non-emergency times, most of us just hop on over to our neighborhood pharmacy to obtain our needed prescription medications. Has any dialogue been had with the large pharmacy chains to see about getting their stock of medicines out to whoever's managing the distribution of such things at emergency shelters? (I have no idea.) I would think that would be the most readily available place to get such things in the ...more »

There are highly trained, ready-to-go teams across the country, but I do not se any mutual aid occurring. CERT Teams should create contacts or a data-base where we can register our: manpower, special capabilities (trained) and available equipment. When a regional disaster occurs, teams can come from other areas to support and respond. With local support on who/where to report, where to stay.

The current way that Individual Assistance declarations are determined and funded are not equitable for the survivors of disaster. The current determining factors are numbers of major, destroyed, and affected residences, deaths, injuries, and making a plea for assistance through a narrative. This leaves determination up to the recommendation of FEMA regions and then determination at the leadership levels by leadership ...more »

I would suggest that three positions be stongly encouraged (REQUIRED) at the state level.1. Individual Assistance Officer. 2. State Voluntary Agency Liaison. 3. State Donations Manager. During the time of disaster is not the time for states to learn about Individual Assistance, and certainly not the time for FEMA to begin educating states about Individual Assistance programs. I understance that states do not want mandates ...more »

Every Emergency Manager (EM) should be able to calculate and chart the estimated resilience of their own local preparedness organizations. Once they have thus identified areas of weakness, they will know what areas of preparedness need improvement. Typical categories used to measure resilience are as follows: 1) Coping strategies; 2) Hardiness; 3) Protective process; 4) Educational tools; 5) Levels of financial ...more »

DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Project Agency) is developing a CAAT (Captive Air Amphibious Transporter) designed to assist in relief operations by moving several tons of cargo over land, water, mud and most any type of surface. It would help the project move ahead if EMs (Emergency Managers) would let DARPA know how such a transport might be helpful in future relief operations. Thanks in advance.

A number of forestry experts have indicated that clear cutting of large areas of insect-killed timber would provide a dramatic benefit in reducing forest wildfires. Our charity, NPI, has developed the means to use large, portable biochar kilns to convert insect-killed timber into liquid biofuels, biochar (to help improve soil fertility), and green electricity produced from kiln heat (using thermoelectric generators). ...more »

For Emergency Managers planning for alternative power systems, SunWize Power Solutions now has a PV (photovoltaics) design calculator on their website (specifier.sunwize.com). I am not promoting PV units from this company, but making EMs aware of their very useful calculator.

Please consider filling vehicles directly from tanker trucks. They would have to be modified with a pump. Lines of these trucks could enter a disaster area and immediately start filling vehicles, generators, etc. until service stations were back on line.

One of the most critical aspects to disaster recovery is re-establishing power and transportation. In most areas there are private companies which could be contracted with for a retainer fee to have personnel and equipment on hand for the following tasks: Tree and debris removal from main highways and primary power right of ways (logging company with trucks, saws, and skidders) Flooded roads (contractors with pumps, ...more »

In anticipation of higher food prices, some food shortages and increased food contamination, some communities are starting urban food production coops. Food crops are grown using outdoor gardens in yards, vacant lots, available parks/ public lands, rooftops, and vertical grow-ladders ... as well as having edible landscaping. Indoor food production 24/7/365 is also feasible using large vacant structures. The use of sunlight ...more »

There are several new portable, solar-powered water purification systems recently developed to provide potable water in emergency situations. Most of these units are small, light, easily moved, and produce large quantities of potable water using contaminated water as the initial source. One such system getting excellent reviews, from relief workers, is the Outpost "S" Water Purification System by Aqua Sun Intl., Inc. ...more »

To prevent planning failures know and avoid the practices that have created most errors in this regard. To wit: A failure to anticipate the future, adapt to the present and learn from the past ... multiplied by faulty assumptions, lack of imagination, poor executive habits, complacency, lack of risk awareness and inflexibility. I have witnessed the harm that comes from planning failures, and hope that EMs (Emergency ...more »

I live on Branch st., Scituate,MA. The streetlight on pole number 36 is mal functioning and the static created by the re-light of the street lamp blocks out WRKO 680 AM 40 percent of the time making it impossible to hear any Emergency Broadcast. It also interfers with all of WRKo's regular broadcasts, This is also probably happening on the many mal-functioning streets throughout Scituate. Shouldnot the power company be ...more »

Proper diet can help disaster victims better recover. Organic foods typically contain 58 percent more polyphenolics to help with disease prevention (as documented in recent research by the Univ. of California, Davis). Grain Amaranth contains 3 (three) percent squalene lipids that also help prevent diseases. Microalgae, such as Spirulina, is very high in protein, vitamins, minerals and ployphenolics to help maintain ...more »

Special advanced training for Emergency Managers (EMs) would be cost effective over the long-term ... because optimization of EM skills will help to save lives and better protect property. The current situation is similar to what I experienced in Vietnam. Our soldiers were first sent into combat with basic infantry training, but no special training in jungle warfare ... so many lost their lives because they lacked the ...more »

I believe that portable propane heaters could be quickly installed to provide victims of storm Sandy. Due to the demolition of electrical and natural gas lines, portable propane tanks could provide people without power the necesary heat they need and possibly lanterns and cooking abilities.

EMs (Emergency Managers) need to practice looking for potential preparedness failures. The Titanic disaster provides examples of how easy it often is to make decisions that increase the possibility of harm. Errors in the case of the Titanic sinking are generally believed to be as follows: 1) The ships speed was not reduced despite reports of icebergs nearby; 2) The ship's lookout lost his binoculars, but made no effort ...more »

hard wire larger fuel stations power so it be removed from down power company and flip another power box and run a portable generator that will power the lights and pumps at that site with a quick disconnect and cable so the generator can be stored and kept service ready other power needs , the Oil companys can tell you what station in what city or town would fit this need, and only a self contained large fuel truck that ...more »

There is a product used in Japan to decontaminate toxic chemicals/materials and radiologicals from substrates and infrastructure. It can be used to rapidly clean subways, homes and buildings of the toxic sludge, mold, mildew and chemicals left by Sandy. It's called DeconGel and it's something that homeowners and cleanup professionals can use without creating large amounts of waste, or using expensive protective equipment. ...more »

Once again our nations ability (or rather the lack there of) to communicate with survivors of catastrophe was crystal clear in the wake of Sandy. Efforts to communicate better integrated systems, hardened structure caches, deployable assets, and such with REAL promise for REAL emergency PREPAREDNESS continue to fall on deaf ears. Response is NOT enough; never has been and never will be - we must be prepared. Why ...more »

I have done some looking and have not found any use of drones for emergency communications, It would not be hard at all for drones to establish WiFi hotspots, or even airborne cell towers in a disaster area. If we had 6 ready drones strategically located, it would be possibe to establish a hotspot anywhere in the U.S. within 4 hrs.