On March 24th, 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker hit Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil. It devastated the local ecosystem and became one of the largest environmental disasters in US history. The eco-disaster lives on, as does the PR nightmare for Exxon — experts still use the company’s response to illustrate what not to do: disregard your own response plans; appear arrogant by ignoring local advocacy groups; fail to engage the media. Add media training to your disaster planning curriculum; either professional training or using case studies to learn from others’ successes and failures. Particularly if your agency is viewed as being at fault for something, your disaster communications can either fuel the flames of pain, anger and distrust, or it can facilitate hope and healing.

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March 24th, 2008 | Tags: disaster, Planning, response | Category: 2008, STAT | Leave a comment

March 3rd, 1879, marks the founding of the United States Geological Survey (www.usgs.gov). As a bureau of the US Department of the Interior, with a staff of nearly10,000, the USGS is devoted to maintaining the most detailed and up-to-date maps of the United States. Accurate and detailed maps are critical for effective planning and response. Free maps are available in many places – search engines; traditional mapmakers; automobile clubs – and by adding your own pertinent information they become even more valuable. Some things to plot on maps include: highway ramps; key staff homes; alternate facilities; off-site storage; open spaces; medical facilities; critical partners; emergency services agencies such as police and fire. Posting a map of key assets and potential major hazards helps everyone to see opportunities, risks and choices.

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March 3rd, 2008 | Tags: Hazard, Information, Planning | Category: 2008, STAT | Leave a comment

Before your 2007 calendar fills up, consider scheduling time for some things that often get overlooked – but will make a big difference in your readiness efforts. Some suggestions: – Block out time to plan for and participate in disaster exercises. – Schedule breakfast or lunch meetings with key colleagues and people of influence – to refresh relationships and do some “power networking.” – Plan one-on-one time before or after scheduled meetings with strategic partners. – Revisit your MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding), and otherwise ensure that your written relationships and agreements are still strong and valid — before you need them.

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January 1st, 2007 | Tags: MOUs, Planning | Category: 2007, STAT | Leave a comment

October 11, 2006 is the United Nations’ International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. While governments are bound by borders and jurisdictions, and businesses are bound by their service areas, disasters recognize no such arbitrary restrictions. The size and scope of a disaster can impact people, economies, political relationships and the ways goods and services are spread. A pandemic flu is a good example of a disaster that will quickly move across the globe – making universal solutions and shared resources absolutely vital.

Avoid the trap of thinking “inside the boundaries” and include people in your planning or resource sharing who will be part of your experience no matter where they are.

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October 9th, 2006 | Tags: disaster, Flu, Planning | Category: 2006, STAT | Leave a comment

On June 12th, 1962, Frank Lee Morris and the Anglin brothers (Clarence and John), all convicted of bank robbery, escaped from Alcatraz prison and were never caught. Reformed and unreformed criminals live in every community. Some members of these groups – such as pedophiles, scam artists and thieves – present concerns during and after a disaster: safety issues in shelters; tracking during evacuations; and jurisdictional boundary problems – all compounded by a proficiency at avoiding authorities.

Encouraging buddy systems in shelters and service centers, educating security staff, including violence prevention groups in planning, and otherwise raising awareness can help reduce problems. Check to be sure your disaster response plans recognize this issue.

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June 12th, 2006 | Tags: Planning | Category: 2006, STAT | Leave a comment