Operational Priorities in Post-Disaster Events

Some areas of the world have used the recent increase of natural disasters to spark their interest in developing emergency operation plans for use in post-disaster situations.  Marin County, for example, has developed a recovery committee aimed to direct short and long-term recovery efforts in accordance with these emergency operation plans.  In addition, to the recovery committee, a Post-Disaster Housing Task Force has been developed to provide Tier One (short-term) and Tier Two (long-term) sheltering options.  A few of the tasks the Post-Disaster Housing Task Force will provide would include: indentifying needed resources, establishing sheltering sites, providing outreach programs (to keep the victims informed), and providing special need victims with special considerations.  In the Task Force’s plan, they list four post-disaster procedures which include accelerating repairs to moderately damages buildings, develop short and long-term housing, and expedite the repairs of significantly damages buildings.  Within these four procedures, the Task Force has added seven steps. 

Image 1 - Displaced people stranded on an onramp waiting for public transportation after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans

The following seven steps are cited directly from Marin County’s emergency plan.  The first step is “determining the need.”

·         Conduct damage assessment inspections and evaluate the impact on total housing stock

·         Estimate the number of victims that may need assistance

·         Identify and register victims

·         Establish system for tracking victim status and contact information

·         Identify scope of post-disaster housing services to be provided

·         Housing, furnishings, utilities, moving, pet needs, transportation

·         Establish criteria for selecting and prioritizing assistance to victims

·         Income, length of time as a Marin resident and special needs

The second step is to “identify and obtain needed resources.”

·         Coordinate efforts with community-based organizations

·         Apply for state and federal assistance

·         Contact the American Red Cross to review the potential for establishing a Rental Housing Replacement Fund

·         Review availability and suitability of temporary housing technology

Image 2 - FEMA trailer beginning to arrive to start developing a temporary FEMA trailer village

The third step is “selecting temporary housing site and housing technology.”

·         Review suggested site selections criteria

·         Coordinate with local communities

·         Enter into agreement with property owners

                  ·         Placing sites along existing transit routes and hubs

The fourth step is “coordinating the delivery of services.”

·         Assist in providing access to licensed contractors

·         Support private companies in obtaining, transporting, and storing construction materials to speed repairs and reconstruction

·         Consider off-site temporary and long-term storage of personal goods

·         Coordinate for delivery of services to sites

·         Establish project management system

·         Contracting, Access, and Utilities

Image 3 - A FEMA worker hooking up the trailers utilities

The fifth step is the “transition from emergency shelter to temporary housing

·         Develop and execute legal agreements

·         Assign victims to Tier I and ii housing

·         Assist victims in relocating to new housing (packing, shipping, unpacking)

·         Establish and Support neighborhood networks in the new housing area

·         Close emergency shelters

The sixth step is to “manage temporary housing.”

·         Coordinate the delivery of public, safety, health, mental health, and social services

·         Facilitate access to services that will assist victims in identifying permanent housing options

·         Close down Tier One housing

The last step is the “transition from temporary to permanent housing.”

·         Track progress of moving to permanent housing on case-by –case basis

·         Consolidate housing stock and close low-density sites

·         Close down Tier Two housing

·         Supervise scheduled demolition/ recycling and/ or re-use of temporary housing

Image 4 - After the trailers are set up, temporary buildings are constructed to house public gatherings

 

Below is a list of criteria that was used to help guide in the site selection process

Physical Characteristics

·         Size Useable area of one acre or greater

·         Slope relatively flat – no greater than 10%

·         Drainage sufficient drainage on site and downstream

Utilities

·         Water feeder

·         Sewer trunk

·         Electricity peak load capacity

·         Telephone voice and data capacity

·         Physical access routes for pipes and overhead lines

Transpiration

·         Roads within 5 miles or major roadways

·         More than one entry/exit route

·         Transit direct access to existing system or access sufficient for new system

Subjective Evaluation Measures

·         Access to churches and community centers

·         Proximity to the original homes

·         Schools impact on local schools

·         Access to local stores and restaurants

Text

Post-Disaster Housing Annex Marin Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan. (2003

       December). Retrieved October, 19 2011, from http://www.co.marin.ca.us/disaster