Are any of you folks in Fla. getting tired of the whining sounds???
How about the people who survived the numerous tornadoes this past season???
I don't hear the flood victims up north screaming bloody murder over a "lack of response" from the Fed.s.
Sorry to say it, but the Gulf disaster wasn't a matter of if, but when.
This post is late in coming, but I was trying to hold my tongue...to anyone who takes offense, sorry, but sometimes the truth hurts... take a lesson from other survivors... mourn your dead, clean the mess, get on with life... and QUIT LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO BIT_... BLAME!

Troy
Part of the clean-up crew that went into Utica after the twister... without the Fed.s.

Yes, I am. For one reason: If Florida can manage to get a good Emergency Management system in 10 years, so can everybody else. Yes, we have an "advantage" in that we have tourist dollars, but having the brother of the president does not truly help. The only thing it helps with is Federal Disaster Declaration. That doesn't do jack crap in the first 7 days. It takes that long just to get the funds moving! Well, I don't know that for sure, but I'm sure it seems like that. The FDC also gives some more authority to FEMA, but that's not much.

Florida has a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. For those who aren't familiar, its the new "era" of Emergency Management that became in the late 70's early 80's. It's an "all-hazards" response. So, while you might think that these "stockpiles" that Florida has, and pre-planned staging areas are just for hurricanes, they are not. In the event of any major event in any major city, they can be used.

BEGIN OF EDIT:
Each EOC in the State (including the State EOC) uses the FEMA recommended Emergency Support Functions:

ESF 1 - Transportation
ESF 2 - Communications
ESF 3 - Public Works
ESF 4 - Firefighting
ESF 5 - Information and Planning
ESF 6 - Mass Care
ESF 7 - Resources
ESF 8 - Health and Medical
ESF 9 - Search and Rescue
ESF 10 - HAZMAT
ESF 11 - Food and Water
ESF 12 - Energy
ESF 13 - Military Support
ESF 14 - Public Information
ESF 15 - Volunteers and Donations
ESF 16 - Law Enforcement
ESF 17 - Animal Services

ESF 1 - 12 are FEMA ESF's, most states reserve ESF 13 through 19 (Florida doesn't!!!!! Why not?!?!?!?!?) for additional Federal ESF's, and anything over 20 is Local.

END OF EDIT

- The State EOC has it's own weather forcaster, and during Wilma called out Tornado Warnings on the States ESATCOM network (emergency management satellite network).

- The State Emergency Response Team, a division of the Emergency Management Office, has the state is divided up into 7 areas. Each area is assigned comparable assets in each area. For example, there are Emergency Deployable Interoperable Communications Systems (EDICS) trailers. No, not EDACS, EDICS. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Anyway, they are capble of inter-connected two (and possible more) trunked radio systems, VHF and UHF systems into 1 seamless radio system. There is one per district. The FL Department of Forestry maintains numerous VHF only trailers with towers and up to 50 portable radios. Mostly on the US&R and DOF "Red", "White", and "Blue" channels.

- Nearly every good Emergency Management Office has a "Decision Matrix" that details goals that must be completed by certain times. i.e. 36 hours before landfall, this and this, must be accomplished, or started.

- There are trailers with equipment whose sole purpose is to set up an field command center.

- Nearly every county in the State has an emergency communications vehicle, and most have 2 or more. City of Orlando operates a 18-wheeler communications vehicle. It can go anywhere in the state. Most of these can talk from "DC to Daylight", with anyone, in any mode, at any time.

- There are numerous Memorandums of Understanding between the State, County and Local governments for corporations to provide emergency supplies and services. I believe some have "standing orders" so that things can be ordered and there is no loss of equipment or supplies in an emergency. For example, they may be able to call up Wal-Mart and order "Package 25". This could mean there are 5 trailers, and a list of items in the 5 trailers. You order "2 Package 25", you get 10 trailers. They would be told where to rendevous.

- We have approximately 8 Urban Search and Rescue Task groups known as "Task Force"s in the state.

TF 1 - Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue
TF 2 - Miami City FD
TF 3 - Tampa/St. Pete
TF 4 - Central Florida (Orlando Based)
TF 5 - Jacksonville
TF 6 - Ft. Myers Area
TF 7 - <Unassigned>
TF 8 - Ocala/Gainesville

- We have the contra-flow system already looked at and partialy-tested. Never been implemented.

- Tolls on all tollways are always suspended 24 hours before landfall, anywhere in the state. Normally tolls are suspended in the outbound direction from the expected strike up to 48 - 72 hours, depending on the location, before expected landfall.

- "EVACUTATION ROUTE" signs are posted on all main roads. All of those "In an Emergency CALL 911" and "FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS" signs are flip-down message boards for Shelter information.

BEGIN OF EDIT:

- Most shelters in the state are inadequate for CAT 3 hurricanes and higher, in the 1990's, Florida enacted requirements for all new school buildings to be capable of withstanding at least CAT 3, if not higher, requirements

- Each county has "special needs" shelters where those who need assistance, who are not in hospitals, are brought. There are nurses, paramedics, oxygen and usually "advanced life support" available.

- Each Assisted Living Facility and hospital in the state is REQUIRED to submit evacuation plans for review to each County Emergency Management Office for approval. This assists the county in determing transporation needs. Some hospitals have "vertical" evacuations.

- Those who are disabled, or unable to evacuate themselves are encouraged to call the city/county emergency management office and register as a "special needs" person. You will be transported to the appropriate shelters.

- Now so-called "pet friendly shelters" are opening. This has occurred within the last 2 years, before Katrina and Rita.

- Encouragement of local groups to get Community Emergency Response Training (C.E.R.T). During Hurricane Charley, a local group (can't remember, I think it was Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts...) directed traffic at a residential intersection (yes, under adult supervision, most were teenagers that could drive I believe). Not all CERT teams are allowed to direct traffic. These are citizen volunteers trained in an 7 - 8 week program, including a practical drill. There is usually a requirement of 1 drill per 2 years.

- Florida has a Florida Disaster Reservist program.

END OF EDIT

- Some corporations in the state will go to an "emergency" mode to allow employees to prepare homes and such. I have seen some McDonalds provide a limited menu to operate on the least amount of staff.

- Most new houses here now come "standard" with shutters. It decreases your insurance costs... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

- Partly out of seeking ratings, news stations go 24 hours on any approaching hurricane. They pass critical information. Some will even simulcast on FM and AM radio stations. You'll get to see the "You heard about <insert disaster> first on <insert station name>...." after the disaster.
At least one station in each area provides a printed "Hurricane Guide" - Link to the Orlando Sentinel Hurricane Guide, partly sponsered by WFTV

We, as a State, learned lessons from two "small" events: one on August 24, 1992 and the other in the Spring of 1998; Hurricane Andrew and the Florida Wildfires: The average citizen and the local community as a whole must be able to handle the "disaster" within the first 72 hours.

In every phone book in the state should be a section on Emergency Prepardness. Everytime they get a chance, the TV weatherman will tell you to have kit.

So, if you're in an area that you think sucks with response, perhaps you should encourage your representatives to follow California and Florida. Probably the two most experienced states in Emergency Management. Some of the things detailed above are done by other states, and are only shown as an example of what Florida does right.

The only way to prepare is with money and time. The time is to start now!

EDITED TO ADD:

Consider getting training, or volunteering your time in a disaster with one of these (not an exaustive list!!!) organizations:
- Red Cross
- Faith-Based Disaster Services (grouping, not a name)
- Amateur Radio
- Community Emergency Response Team
- EMT Certification
- Hospital Volunteer

That's amazing. I had no idea it was that extensive. Thanks for posting it.

That is very good information and I really like your recommendations.



Excellent post.

More people need to be educated, and some directly involved in emergency prepardness. Especially if you are pretty intelligent, and/or have the ability to take in the big picture and make good decisions.

Emergency Response/Management doesn't pay crap, especially if you have a degree, but what else are you going to do in a prolonged disaster like a Hurricane? Sit at home and twidle your fingers? At least these kinds of things help you keep your mind on something else. Especially if you're entire life is wiped away with a storm surge.

Edited to Add:
Florida Division of Emergency Management (State Level) is a EMAP Accredited (Emergency Management Accreditation Program). There are 3 other states accredited: North Dakota, Arizona and Washington, D.C. 6 others are conditional: East Baton Rouge, LA, Jacksonville/Duval County, FL, Illinois, Montana, Pennsylvania and Virginia. If they don't appear on here, only means they haven't applied, or haven't finished the accreditation program.

Edited to add:
I recently found this PDF by searching for "Florida Best emergency management country". It is a transcript of a presentation made to the U.S. Senate on September 8, 2005. It's a de-ja-vu reading of some of the things pointed out above, but a much more detailed look. It is 29 pages, but 12 is a testimonial about Florida EM by Mr. Roberts, chairman of the Florida Association of Broadcasters. If you're interested in how things should work, and how Florida does it, read it here

Thanks for the full link.

I have seen my state getting better in several areas over the years, but I think we are still quite unprepared for the scope of our greatest concern which is a M9+ subduction zone quake and/or a M7 shallow fault quake running through Seattle. Add in the Cascade volcanos and we have great need for preplanning. I can see Florida and other gulf coast states as having enforced "training" events thoroughout the hurricane season with I am sure has made these plans vastly superior to most paper excercises.

ki4buc, Thank You. Great rundown.

Dave

I think the big difference between Florida and Seattle, or BC, where I live, is that Florida has hurricanes in its face on a regular basis. We don't see earthquakes here often enough to get ourselves scared enough to make it politically worthwhile to spend on preparedness. Politicians like to spend on projects that get them re-elected. A once in 10 or 20 years event is way outside their window of opportunity. If you're a politician, your whole focus is short term, that's one of the unfortunate weaknesses of our democratic system.

"If you're a politician, your whole focus is short term, that's one of the unfortunate weaknesses of our democratic system."

Yeah, all they have to do is blame someone else. Most of the voters will forget in 2 months, and relect them anyway.

But it doesn't matter how organized a state is, when it has 16 miilion people (FL, & that's just a "for instance") and 90% of them sit on their butts and wait to be rescued and spoon-fed their MRE's.

If they can show up at distribution points, they could just as well have shown up at their local gas stations & local grocery stores and gotten themselves some supplies when the disaster was first predicted to be headed their way.

But no, they'd rather whine and cry and wring their hands and complain to the news media how put upon and abused they are, and how they can't find gas to put in their shiny new SUV.

GROW UP, AMERICA! THE WHOLE WORLD IS SNICKERING AT US! (And rightly so!)

Sue