Cook Children's Health Care System’s Post

Volunteer Heroes: The Impact of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency Management Have you ever wondered who's behind the scenes when disaster strikes, ready with a smile, a helping hand, and maybe a life-saving sandwich? These exceptional individuals dive headfirst into the heart of the storm. They are not superheroes from a comic book—they are our volunteer heroes! They are incredible individuals who charge into the fray with nothing but a desire to help. These volunteer heroes are the real MVPs in emergency management. Whether it's floods, fires, or unforeseen fiascos, their boots on the ground make a monumental difference. They don't wear capes—usually because they're too busy wearing safety vests and hard hats. Volunteers are the unsung champions in the emergency management narrative. They manage logistics, provide medical care, offer emotional support, and do whatever else is necessary to mitigate the impact of the crisis. What drives them? It's a profound sense of duty and a heart full of compassion. Their reward is the relief they bring to faces that have lost hope and the gratitude that comes not in words but in smiles and sighs of relief. By joining forces with voluntary organizations, these incredible individuals show us that humanity can shine brightly amid our most challenging times. Next time you think about superheroes, remember the real ones wearing volunteer vests! Let's celebrate these volunteer heroes and recognize the immense impact they have. May their courage inspire us all to think beyond ourselves! #emergencymanagement #voluteerheroes

 Staying Ahead Workshop: Emergency Preparedness! Main Street Ministries and volunteer, Brent Taylor, Chief Communications Officer of the Houston Office of Emergency Management, are focused on equipping individuals with essential skills and resources for emergency preparedness. Brent provided these helpful resources as well as a complete workshop to our Staying Ahead participants! houstonoem.org - this is where all disaster-related information will be posted by the City of Houston alerthouston.org - this is where you can sign up to receive emergency alerts via email, text, or voice call stear.tdem.texas.gov - this is the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, where folks with disabilities, access or functional needs can register so we can perform wellness checks after a disaster With YOUR help we're collecting critical supplies to ensure that we can help others have what they need in case of unexpected situations. Here are new emergency preparedness items we’re collecting this week: Batteries (any size) Power Chargers Flashlights (any size) First Aid Kits Masks Moist Towelettes Garbage Bags Paper Cups, Plates, Plastic Utensils, and Paper Towels Matches Ziploc Bags Hand Sanitizer (small) Whistles Can Openers These items will play a vital role in helping our community stay prepared and safe. Your support is greatly appreciated as we work together to build a resilient and ready community. You can drop any of these supplies at Main Street Ministries 5100 Travis St. Houston TX 77002 #EmergencyPreparedness #StayingAhead #CommunitySupport

Here’s a physician’s perspective on Emergency Preparedness in senior living communities. Good stuff!

A wise friend and source of sage counsel - who also happens to be the former emergency management director of a large US county - often describes the common misstep emergency managers make when they act such that they're seen to be "all brakes." Because they do this despite that their community is much more focused, and interested, in what it means to hit the gas pedal. We can't help it though - we are the worriers! When a reporter asks the County exec or the mayor, "what keeps you up at night!?"... That's when they think about us. And we consider, in that moment, "Wow, they really do get us!" But it's short lived, because those same elected officials struggle to prioritize funding for what we know to be the 'upper right' public health and safety threats on the risk matrices they ask us for. In the private sector, risk managers learned long ago that by failing to make a direct link between what they do and what their C-suite cares most about, they quickly work themselves out of relevance. Why would it be different for those of us in the public sector? Objectives are the objective. Vision is the motivation. If we aren't part of the team that hits the gas - on what's important during that 99.99% of the time there's no disaster - then we're not only 'the brakes,' we're JUST the brakes. Does this mean "stop working on DRR for floods, hurricanes, wildfires..." and everything else we're so capable of bringing to the table? Of course not! Who can argue against having brakes. But we have to let them know WE also care about, and WE also understand, the gas pedal. Yesterday, I drove 8 hours to experience the eclipse and see firsthand how small communities managed a hazard that was as much opportunity as it was a 'threat.' 160,000 people joined me in increasing Vermont's population by a quarter. There were accidents. And gridlock. And gas station lines. And people pulling over in disruptive places. Yet it all worked out thanks to good contingency planning. The eclipse was beyond my ability to describe. And the state estimates this stroke of good luck - finding itself along the zone of totality - landed it more than $50 million in revenue. I suspect this event opened officials' eyes to the broader role emergency managers can play. Because we aren't all about impacts and not opportunities. We aren't all brakes, and no gas pedal. The attached time lapse is of the last 60 seconds before the eclipse reached totality and day turned to night. I'm forever indebted to Vermont's public safety officials for keeping the path to this life-changing event clear! #VBEM #DRR #emergencymanagement

A former colleague was sitting at my local coffee den this morning having a catch up with his daughter for International Women’s Day. We had a bit of a laugh when I recalled being part of a small team that organised the first ‘official’ IWD event for the Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority (as it was then named) in the mid to late 1990s. Amazing to look back now, but at the time there were, at best, just a handful of full-time female firies in the entire State – part-time auxiliary and volunteer rural firefighters aplenty, while the chair of the QFRA Board and the rural fire service chief were both women who provided great IWD steerage. Somehow the conversation drifted to new legislation introduced into Queensland Parliament this week – the Disaster Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. If we’re reading the new Bill correctly it would seemingly make it impossible for state’s first female Fire Commissioner Katarina Carroll to have ever been appointed. The draft laws explanatory notes state (attached clip) that senior fire officer positions must go to people with professional firefighting experience; meaning that as a then senior police officer she’d have been ineligible. Probably still is. As my mate’s daughter (who is a partner in a leading legal firm) pointed out, surely that’s not great for women with proven leadership experience such as the recently retired Police Commissioner … and of course this is Queensland Women’s Week. The Bill is part of a long-running suite of changes to the fire and emergency services and appears to transfer a range of responsibilities from the existing QFES (seemingly soon to be renamed yet again) to the Queensland Police Service. Not sure how this aligns with comments by the new Queensland Police chief about getting more ‘boots on the beat’ when disaster management responsibilities join SES, marine rescue, aircraft operations, surf lifesaving and volunteer cadetship management falling under the QPS umbrella. It’s a wide ranging set of new laws, but clearly something must be seriously wrong in this space as the cost for the proposed changes outlined in the Bill is an eye-watering $578 Million over 5 years and $142 million extra annually. Wowza. Not clear where that massive amount of money comes from – assuming and hoping it will not be collected from a big hike to the fire and emergency management levy in our council rates notices – but by my calculations that funding (for the changes alone mind you) is roughly triple what the total QFRA budget was just over 25 years ago. #IWD

The 2021 Texas Freeze: A Historic Weather Catastrophe and Its Impact In early 2021, Texas faced an unprecedented weather crisis – a historic deep freeze from February 11 to February 20. Every county in Texas found itself under a Winter Storm Warning, marking the event as the first billion-dollar weather disaster of the year. The extreme cold wreaked havoc on homes and infrastructure, leaving countless residents without power and water for prolonged periods. This crisis was particularly severe in under-resourced and disadvantaged communities, leading to acute food shortages and challenges due to poor insulation. The Texas power crisis, spanning from February 10 to February 27, was at the heart of these hardships. It led to an estimated 246 to 702 fatalities and about $18 billion in property damage, underlining the urgent need for effective emergency response mechanisms like the Total Recall Safety App. Total Recall Safety App: Empowering Decision-Making  Total Recall is more than a messaging app; it's a tool for empowering communities during crises. Its polling feature provides a platform for instant feedback, informed decision-making, and enhanced community engagement, especially in situations like the Texas freeze. 1. Rapid Community Feedback:  Quick surveys provide immediate insights into the needs and status of community members, crucial for effective emergency response. 2. Data-Driven Decisions:  Real-time data from polls helps prioritize actions and resources, tailoring the response to the most urgent needs. 3. Building Trust Through Engagement:  Involving community members in decision-making processes fosters trust and cooperation, vital in emergencies. 4. Accessibility for All:  The app's user-friendly design ensures that everyone can participate, regardless of their tech skills. 5. Adaptive Strategies in Real-Time:  Continuous feedback allows for the adjustment of strategies as situations evolve, a critical feature in fast-changing crises. The Future of Crisis Management with Total Recall  The Texas deep freeze has shown the importance of preparedness and robust communication channels. Total Recall, with its innovative polling feature, stands as a crucial tool in this regard, ensuring that every voice is heard and acted upon in times of crisis. Join the Movement  Be a part of this revolutionary approach to emergency communication. Visit the Total Recall Safety App website and join the waitlist today: Total Recall Safety App Conclusion  Total Recall Safety App is not just about communication; it's about creating a resilient, informed, and connected community, ready to face any challenge together. In the face of adversity, it ensures every voice is heard, making it an indispensable tool in emergency management.    #TexasFreezeResponse  #EmergencyCommunication  #TexasDeepFreeze2021  #TotalRecallSafety     

We were happy to be able to offer a tour of our County's Emergency Operations Center to the Racine Journal Times during #PreparednessMonth. Building connections with our #media partners in emergency management is important during blue-sky days, so that our lines of communication are open and established before crises occur. It's especially important these days to be able to share what we do with the community members we serve, both for transparency and advocacy. The critical work of emergency management can often go unseen. Many times we find our role in the background, enabling response through coordination. This is important work, but being less visible can lead to a lack of awareness of its importance. When resources are constrained, which is common everywhere right now, this can lead to a devaluation like what we've seen with EMPG cuts nationwide. As we close out National Preparedness Month, I say we should be looking ahead for opportunities to share with people the importance of #emergencymanagement: what we do, how we do it, and why it matters.

The Boone County Office of Emergency Management (MO) is making waves with its innovative Camp HERricane program. Designed to spark interest in emergency and disaster response careers among young girls, the week-long camp offers a unique opportunity to explore the field firsthand. Partnering with the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management , Camp HERricane aims to address a critical gap in the industry. Currently, only about 30% of emergency management directors are women. Camp organizer Chris Lewin emphasizes the importance of female leadership in this field, stating, "Women and minority groups are often most vulnerable in disasters. Leadership and representation within the field is essential to help solve these problems." By exposing young girls to the challenges and rewards of emergency management, Camp HERricane is not only inspiring future leaders but also working to create a more diverse and equitable workforce. Studies have shown that diverse teams bring a more comprehensive range of perspectives and problem-solving skills, leading to more effective disaster response and recovery efforts. Camp HERricane programs (New York, Maryland, MO, and American Samoa) and similar are crucial for boosting recruitment efforts in public safety. Creating a robust recruitment strategy requires a multi-tiered approach to building top-of-the-funnel industry brand awareness and cultivating relationships. To attract top talent effectively, agencies must invest in creative initiatives highlighting the excitement and impact of public safety careers. By partnering with schools, community organizations, and youth groups, emergency management agencies can introduce the field to young people early. Mentorship programs, job shadowing opportunities, and social media campaigns can also help to generate interest and excitement. Additionally, cultivating a strong employer brand and fostering a positive workplace culture are essential for attracting and retaining top talent. As Camp HERricane continues to grow and evolve, it has the potential to become a model for other communities seeking to increase diversity and inclusion in emergency management; by implementing comprehensive recruitment strategies and investing in programs like Camp HERricane, public safety agencies can build a more robust, more resilient workforce capable of meeting future challenges.

A pleasure to facilitate Runnymede Borough Council’s commissioned debriefing session yesterday, analysing the flooding incident triggered by Storm Henk in January. This review seeks to provide a detailed assessment of the debrief process and the insights garnered to fortify future responses to similar crises. The debrief showcased a laudable commitment to transparency, accountability, and continual enhancement. Here are the primary strengths identified during the review: 1. Structured Methodology: The debrief adhered to a well-organized structure, commencing with an overview of the event timeline and progressing to in-depth discussions on various facets such as readiness, response actions, communication strategies, and lessons learned. 2. Inclusive Engagement: Active participation from pertinent Council Officers and the Head of Paid Service ensured a diverse range of perspectives were considered, facilitating the sharing of valuable insights. 3. Comprehensive Response Analysis: The debriefing process facilitated a meticulous analysis of the council's response efforts, examining strengths, weaknesses, encountered challenges, and areas ripe for improvement. Through critical evaluation, valuable lessons emerged to enhance future preparedness and response capabilities. 4. Identification of Exemplary Practices: The debrief underscored several best practices and success stories, illustrating instances where effective coordination, resource allocation, and community engagement positively influenced response outcomes. These exemplars serve as invaluable benchmarks for future emergency response endeavors. 5. Open Dialogue: A culture of openness and honesty prevailed during the debrief, fostering an environment where participants felt comfortable sharing their experiences, insights, and concerns. This constructive atmosphere facilitated meaningful discussions and unearthed root causes behind encountered challenges. 6. Actionable Recommendations: The debrief will lead to the formulation of actionable recommendations aimed at addressing identified gaps, fortifying existing protocols, and enhancing collaboration mechanisms. These recommendations, grounded in evidence-driven insights, hold promise for significantly improving future emergency response endeavors. Looking ahead, it is imperative that the council continues to prioritise debriefing processes post-emergency events, integrating lessons learned into updated emergency response plans, training regimes, and community engagement initiatives. Additionally, sustaining the collaboration and communication momentum established during the debrief will be pivotal for nurturing resilience and fostering a culture of continual improvement within the organisation and the broader community. Overall, Runnymede Borough Council's debrief represents a commendable endeavor toward enhancing emergency response capabilities and safeguarding the community's safety and well-being amidst future adversities.

Our thoughts are with those that have been impacted by the recent weather events in Pottawattamie County. We'd like to thank all who have offered their support and understanding for the challenges that our communities are facing. One of the current challenges facing response and recovery efforts in Minden is the influx of resources that haven’t been requested. Current response efforts include provisions for meal availability, water/hydration, medical support, and operational tools, heavy equipment, and resources sufficient for coming week’s operations. Officials are currently limiting access to the community to public safety personnel, utility crews, residents, and the organized volunteer groups that have been requested and deployed to meet current and specific operational priorities. Officials are advising volunteers and organizations not to self-deploy to the disaster area. As safety conditions and operational needs change, officials will announce volunteer opportunities for individuals, small groups, and additional organized disaster response teams when that need arises and safety conditions improve. More details on updated information ➡ https://lnkd.in/gqGd2PSF