# Presentation: 414348

## Workshop Wrap-upStrong Local Partnerships:  The Keys to Success 

**62****nd**** Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference**
**Tropical Cyclone Operations and Research:  Priorities for the Future**
- 3-7 March 2008
- Denise Stephenson Hawk, Ph.D.
- Associate Director, National Center for Atmospheric Research
- Director, Societal-Environmental Research and Education Laboratory

## Session 11 Strong Local Partnerships: The Keys to Success

- _Moderator:_ 	Dr. Denise Stephenson Hawk, NCAR Associate Director and Director of SERE Laboratory
- _Panelists:_
- Ms. Cathy Haynes, Director, Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Division
- Mr. Walt Dickerson, Director, Mobile County Emergency Management Agency
- Mr. Michael Emlaw, Meteorologist-in-Charge, NWS Weather Forecast Office, Charleston, SC
- Dr. Betty Hearn Morrow, Professor Emeritus, Florida International University, Consulting Sociologist
- Ms. Naomi Moye, Hazards Communications Consultant
- Mr. Ronald Glaser, Sandia National Laboratories, Program Manager, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System

## Guiding Questions

**When should disaster preparation begin?**
**How is the disaster message transmitted to the public?**
**How is the message received by the public?**
**What actions are taken after the message is received? **

## Message Should Define...

**Nature of the Hazard**
**Perceived Likelihood as a Threat - Uncertainty**
**Chain of Command for Safety and Recovery**
**Information that People Can Use to Make Decisions**
**Visual**
**Oral**
**Written**
**Personal**
**Universal**

## Lessons Taught are Not Necessarily Lessons Learned

## Lessons Taught...

- Prepare months/years before the storm
- Identify vulnerable populations
- Registry
- Service Organizations
- Messages constructed should be:
- Simple
- Concrete
- Relevant
- Viable
- Messages should reach all people
- Language Barriers
- Disabilities
- Economic Constraints
- Literacy Concerns
- Middle Managers

## Lessons Learned...

- Empower People to Act
- Make Sure it Matters...Can You Convince People that Action is Better than Inaction?
- Be Specific...Offer Concrete Steps that are Actually Possible!
- Follow Through, and Remember that Leaving Home is only the First Step...

## Lessons Learned...

**All emergencies are local**
**Convene Pre-hurricane public talks designed to define actions**
**Prepare citizens to act in advance of hazard, e.g., develop Community Emergency Response Teams**
**Sequester local elected leaders and ensure that they understand the plan of action****	**

## Partnerships are KEY

**Local Emergency Managers**
**Lead hazard response and recovery**
**Responsible for the safety and security of the public**
**Chains of Command – Local, state, regional and federal**
**Neighborhood Associations**
**Media should be an ally – Build cooperative relationships early**
**Residents in hazard zones rely upon leadership they trust**

## Decision Support Tools that WORK

**Cable TV Overrides to Disseminate Messages**
**Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)**
**Connect CTY**
**211 Information System**
***StormReady***** Program**

## Clearly Define Responsibilities of all Stakeholders: Scientists, Public, Media, Local, State, Regional, FederalPLAN EARLY

## Information Flow is VitalMessages must be simple and actionablePLAN EARLY

## Societal Resilience Depends on Building Interdependence along with Independence

***PLAN EARLY***

## PARTNERSHIPS THAT WORK ARE KEYTHANK YOU