New Orleans celebrated its first Mardis Gras on February 27, 1827. This year’s Mardis Gras in New Orleans is an important and welcome step in the city’s recovery process from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As a nation, we invest heavily in the immediate response to disasters, yet it is the long-term recovery process that will determine the future of residents, businesses and the city itself. Take extra care to give voice in your local planning process to those partners who have true expertise and skillsets related to long-term recovery.

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February 26th, 2007 | Tags: holidays, hurricane katrina | Category: 2007, STAT | Leave a comment

Next week will be the 5-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We’ve invested heavily since then in building our traditional response infrastructure and in preparedness branding campaigns. Even so, Hurricane Katrina revealed profound weaknesses in our collective ability and willingness to protect all people living in the United States. The increased presence of 9/11 in the public conversation that this anniversary will bring is an opportunity.

Let people know about the specific, measurable, meaningful ways you’ve helped the people you serve increase their safety, preparedness and response capacity. How are you making a difference? Avoid hype and generalities, and sincerely convey the measurable and meaningful changes you’ve made, and it will help build and restore trust for many of the people you serve.

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September 4th, 2006 | Tags: 9/11, hurricane katrina, terrorist | Category: 2006, STAT | Leave a comment

With the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina this week, many people will be reliving the tragic experiences and painful realizations of that disaster. Virtually anyone – evacuees, family and friends of victims, emergency responders, volunteers, journalists, children and even people with no direct connection to the tragedy – may be especially sensitive and in pain during this time.

Be sure everyone in your circle of influence knows about community services, crisis hotlines, vigils, information, spiritual guidance, free counseling services, and other ways to help people cope and have their needs met. Be sure to make information easily available in multiple ways, and that privacy and confidentiality are respected – so people will feel safe in seeking support or information.

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August 28th, 2006 | Tags: community, hurricane katrina | Category: 2006, STAT | Leave a comment

Take a quick moment to flip through your 2005 calendar and see how much time you devoted to planning, preparing and mitigating disasters vs. reacting, responding and dealing with the consequences of the lack of plans and preparedness. Mark out some quality time now in your 2006 calendar for doing those things that we wish had been done in the Gulf Region before Hurricane Katrina.

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December 5th, 2005 | Tags: hurricane katrina, Preparedness | Category: 2005, STAT | Leave a comment

Like the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, Hurricane Katrina underscores the need for emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts to address the socio-economic, religious and cultural make up of our communities. Below are three helpful resources for finding information on who lives in your community.

http://www.adherents.com/

http://www.bls.gov/bls/demographics.htm

http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html

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September 26th, 2005 | Tags: Earthquake, hurricane katrina | Category: 2005, STAT | Leave a comment

Weeks of experiencing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina can take its toll on our well-being. Make sure everyone knows about the support and care systems available to them. Even if you do not have internal support to offer, you can share free community-based programs such as crisis center hotlines, counseling services and online resources. Let’s help keep each other well.

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September 13th, 2005 | Tags: hurricane katrina | Category: 2005, STAT | Leave a comment