1. EMAC Deployment to Puerto Rico
Alex Abdun-Nabi | 1/9/2018

2. Hurricane Background

3. Hurricanes in Puerto Rico
During the 2017 hurricane season, Puerto Rico was impacted by two major hurricanes: Irma and Maria
Irma
Hit Puerto Rico on September 6
More than 1 million people left without power
Maria
Made landfall in southern Puerto Rico on September 20
Major damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses

4. Hurricane Maria, September 20, 2017

5. San Juan, Puerto Rico – Hurricane Maria damage

6. Damage Outside San Juan

7. EMAC in Puerto Rico

8. EMAC by the Numbers EMAC personnel deployments, as of December 5, 2017
35 assisting states
4,259 personnel deployed
2,006 civilians
1,281 law enforcement
2,253 National Guard

10. Michigan in
Puerto Rico

11. Michigan’s Involvement
Two EMAC teams
Virtual Type IV A-Team
October 6 – October 29, 2017
Paul Lounsberry and Alex Abdun-Nabi
Type IV A-Team
October 29 – November 14, 2017
Sara Long and Alex Abdun-Nabi

12. By the numbers October 30, 2017 144 resource requests in system
21 resource requests completed
46 National Guard
35 State
101 total requests in EOS
November 13, 2017
163 resource requests in system
35 resource requests completed
47 National Guard
51 State
112 total requests in EOS
Multiple amendments
18 new resource requests
14 resource requests completed
Do we want to talk about process here?

13. Types of Resources Law Enforcement Officers National Guard
Medical Shelter Teams
Military Police
EMAC A-Team
Horizontal Engineers
Utility Personnel
Helicopters
EOC Support Teams
Transportation
Incident Management Teams
Communications
Public Affairs
Sheltering
Multiple amendments
18 new resource requests
14 resource requests completed
Do we want to talk about process here?

14. Responding Agencies
A minimum of 35 different responding agencies over the course of the incident.
Multiple amendments
18 new resource requests
14 resource requests completed
Do we want to talk about process here?

15. Deployment Experience

16. Roles of an A-Team Member
Processing paperwork
Subject Matter Expert
Consultant, sounding board, problem-solver
Customer service
Student
Teacher
Travel agent

17. Working Conditions Puerto Rico Convention Center Communications
Security
Food and Water
Communications
Workplace Environment
Friday kudos
Special visitors

18. Partners Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency
ESF 8-Public Health and Medical Services
ESF 13-Public Safety and Security
Puerto Rico National Guard
Puerto Rico Office of Management & Budget
FEMA Billeting

19. Daily Activities Creating and updating tracking and reporting tools
Maintaining records and ensuring consistency among legal documents
Responding to needs of incoming and on-ground resources
Advising agency leads and developing EMAC requests
Reporting at update meetings with key partners
Trouble-shooting and problem-solving

20. Living Conditions 12-hour shifts Accommodations Meals Transportation
Activities

21. Contributors to Success
Knowledge base
Developing and nurturing trusting relationships
Leveraging existing resources
Support from MSP, EMAC, and NEMA
Teamwork and flexibility
Bringing together multiple areas of the response network/process

22. Challenges Common operating picture Tracking and reporting Lodging
Communications
Information Technology
Personnel availability

23. Lessons Learned Communication is essential
Pre-made Mission Ready Packages are key to success
Address issues related to jurisdiction, use of force, arrest policies ahead of time for incoming law enforcement
Ensure that all partners have clear understanding of EMAC
Foster trusting relationships
Focus on big picture, common goal
Take advantage of mental health resources