TAIRS Conference 2013 DISASTER!: The Importance of Partners & I&R

Preparedness While we are all committed to lending a hand to those in need, assistance may be delayed in times of disaster. Meet with your family. Meet with your co-workers. Prepare and plan for how to respond to emergencies most likely to happen where we live, learn, work and play.

AIRS Standard 20, Quality Indicator 4 I&R specialists understand the government emergency response service delivery system, the types of services people typically need following a disaster, the organizations that generally provide them, the types of organizations that may be closed or otherwise unable to deliver services due to the emergency, atypical services people may need to access, and the structure and contents of the disaster database and/or other approved sources of disaster-related information.

Grass roots collaboration leads to trust, strong relationships and a more prepared and resilient community.

Partners “Partnership is an active step beyond networking. The primary focus of a network is to share information. The focus of a partnership is to take joint action — to do something, and to do it better by working together.”

Partners… Understanding value-added partnerships Expectations & Commitments True collaboration is hard. Relationship Management. Communication Honesty Information Sharing Strategic Planning

Know Your Partners

Understanding the Dynamics of Emergency Management Local government is ultimately responsible for directing, controlling, and responding to the communities needs Disaster Focus of Emergency Management – Threefold Stabilize the incident Protect, life property and the environment Establish the system by which the government responds to disaster at the local, regional, state, tribal or federal levels

Value of Engaging VOAD (and other community groups) Right After a Disaster Supports the Whole Community response approach Collaborative & coordinated response effort Critical avenue for helping identify and providing unmet needs to the community. Can help guide spontaneous organization wanting to provide services. Awareness

Solid partnerships lead to… Consistent messaging Joint planning Integration into formal plans Trust and credibility

Effective Information Management = Situation Awareness With information from I&R agencies needed for: Operational response and planning for recovery Decision making Identify potential or existing problems. Identify existing trends and unmet needs. Identify what planning, coordination and needs to occur. Analyze information and other data to determine impact of service delivery needs and capabilities.

Immediate/Short Term Mass Care feeding, sheltering, and clothing Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Care Debris Removal Repair, Rebuild Volunteer Coordination Financial Assistance Donation Management including: Warehouse space, Coordination, Distribution “Pop-Up” service delivery providers

Long Term Recovery Case management services Mental health services Mortgage assistance Moisture control services and removal of mold and mildew Rental assistance and or temporary lodging Repair to household systems, such as electric, plumbing, heating and cooling Payment of medical expenses not covered by insurance or other sources of reimbursement Purchase or provision of clothing and shoes Purchase or provision of essential furniture, including beds/mattresses, dressers, etc.

LTR… Purchase or provision of essential appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, stoves, air conditioners, washers, dryers, microwaves, etc. Purchase or provision of essential computer equipment necessary for children’s school or operation of home-based income-producing activity. Purchase or provision of essential items for children, such as school supplies, bicycles and sports equipment. Purchase or provision of essential used automobile necessary for medical transportation, work, school transportation or home-based income-producing activity. Purchase or provision of essential equipment for home-based income-producing activity. Utility assistance

In any crisis, the ability to retrieve accurate information quickly is critical to assessing and responding to the situation… For those responding and those affected!!

Erika Roberts External Relations/Information & Planning Program Manager Emergency Services - American Red Cross North Texas Region Serving 111 counties from the Texas Panhandle to Texarkana (817) KF5NGG