Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO)’s Post

Are you familiar with Resilience Hubs? Natural disasters can strike anywhere, often displacing communities and leaving them needing critical resources. In response, many communities are turning public buildings and houses of worship into resilience hubs—safe gathering places equipped to provide essentials like energy, food, and water. These hubs offer immediate shelter and help communities recover more quickly from disasters, reducing strain on recovery efforts. How many hubs are operational in the United States and Canada as of July 2024? https://lnkd.in/et_BeyYg

Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds are critical for rebuilding infrastructure, housing, and utility systems in communities affected by natural disasters. These funds, allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provide financial support to help recover and enhance the resilience of affected areas, addressing unmet needs that are often not covered by insurance or other federal programs. For housing, CDBG-DR funds are essential to reconstruct, repair, and rehabilitate homes damaged by disasters. They support the creation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, which is vital for promoting equity and ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to safe and secure living conditions. This not only helps restore communities but also prevents displacement and fosters long-term economic stability. In the context of water and electrical utilities, CDBG-DR funds are used to rebuild and modernize essential public infrastructure. Water systems are repaired and upgraded to ensure clean, reliable access, while electrical grids are reinforced and redesigned to withstand future disasters. This is crucial for reducing the risk of service interruptions and enhancing community resilience. Modernized systems also improve public health and safety and enable faster recovery in the aftermath of future events. Additionally, these funds can be leveraged to incorporate hazard mitigation measures and innovative technologies, such as smart grids or flood-resistant infrastructure, creating a stronger and more adaptable utility network. By focusing on both immediate recovery and long-term resilience, CDBG-DR funds play a pivotal role in rebuilding communities in a more sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking manner, ensuring a more secure future for residents.

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 Australia's recent disaster efforts, including flood events in QLD, have highlighted the critical need for disaster resilience. Last week, the Select Committee on Australia's Disaster Resilience met to discuss strategies for preparedness, response, and recovery. Senators including Linda Reynolds, Tony Sheldon and Jacqui Lambie were among those leading the discussion. We were thrilled to hear nbn's John Parkin and Phil Astle discuss nbn® Australia's commitment to disaster resilience, with a particular focus on the innovative Hybrid Power Cube technology. In collaboration with nbn, Decon designed and developed the Hybrid Power Cube, funded by several federal initiatives. This solution addresses the challenge of maintaining telecommunications infrastructure during disasters, ensuring critical communication channels remain open for residents and emergency services. The Hybrid Power Cube, also known as the Smart Power Cell (SPC), is a transportable, off-grid power solution. It leverages a combination of clean energy technologies, including solar panels, wind turbine and sodium metal chloride battery to ensure continued communications in the event of power outage or disaster scenario. Decon provides ongoing remote monitoring of these units for nbn, ensuring optimal performance, zero downtime and completely eliminating the dangers associated with people having to attend site during an emergency such as flood, fire or natural disaster. This proactive approach guarantees that no one is put in an unsafe situation and that continuous reliable power is provided for telecommunications infrastructure, even in the most challenging situations. Collectively, we have over 100 monitored renewable energy assets deployed across Australia for various telco carriers. The committee also heard from TPG Telecom about their complementary disaster response solutions, who previously received federal funding to acquire a fleet of Cell on Wheels (COWs) for bushfire-prone areas. A Cell on Wheels (COW) is a portable cellular base station designed to provide temporary network coverage in emergencies. They can be transported across various terrains and are ideal for situations where existing infrastructure is damaged or overwhelmed. In addition to the provision of a fleet of Hybrid Power Cubes for nbn, Decon are also proud to have to designed and developed the Cell on Wheels (COW) for TPG. These units provide crucial mobile network restoration in disaster situations and 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮. Link to Senate Hearing: https://lnkd.in/gu4nnfkp

Flood-Resistant Portable Homes: A Lifeline for Disaster-Stricken Communities In an era of escalating climate disasters, the demand for swift, efficient, and cost-effective housing solutions has reached unprecedented levels. As floods rise and earthquakes strike, countless families find themselves without shelter, often for extended periods. A groundbreaking solution is emerging: portable homes engineered to withstand floods and provide immediate, long-term housing relief to disaster victims. Revolutionizing Disaster Response Housing Picture a home that can be airlifted or transported to disaster zones within hours. Upon arrival, it can be erected on a stable foundation, resistant to floodwaters and seismic activity, offering a safe haven for displaced families. These flood-resistant portable homes have the potential to transform disaster response, providing not just temporary shelter but a sustainable, long-term solution for those who have lost everything. Constructed from lightweight yet durable materials such as reinforced steel frames, waterproof panels, and high-efficiency insulation, these homes are built to endure extreme conditions. Solar panels provide renewable energy, while rainwater collection systems ensure access to clean water, even in remote or devastated areas. Rapid Deployment: Shelter in Hours In disaster scenarios, response time is critical. These portable homes can be swiftly deployed to affected areas via trucks, helicopters, or cargo planes, arriving with all components pre-packed and ready for assembly. Designed for simplicity, the homes can be set up by small teams of responders or community volunteers, minimizing the need for heavy machinery or specialized labor. Within hours of arrival, families who have lost their homes to natural disasters can find refuge in a fully functional dwelling, complete with plumbing, electricity, and space to live with dignity. These innovations reduce reliance on external infrastructure—often damaged in disasters—and provide a model for sustainable living in both urban and rural settings. A New Frontier for Disaster Relief As climate-related disasters continue to displace millions globally, the development of flood-resistant portable homes offers a beacon of hope. These homes are more than just shelters; they are a lifeline for communities in crisis, offering stability, security, and the opportunity to rebuild in the face of adversity. With affordable, rapid-response housing solutions like this, we can significantly improve global disaster response, ensuring that no one is left without a safe place to call home. This vision represents not just a reaction to climate change but a proactive step toward protecting vulnerable communities and providing a foundation for recovery and resilience. The future of disaster relief has arrived, and it's portable, sustainable, and built to last.

How Solar Energy Empowers Vulnerable Communities in Times of Disaster When disaster strikes, power outages can compound the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, leaving them without access to essential services and communication. In these critical moments, solar energy emerges as a beacon of resilience, offering reliable and sustainable emergency power solutions that empower communities to weather the storm with strength and dignity. The Power of Preparation: Discuss the importance of proactive measures in disaster preparedness, highlighting how solar energy systems can serve as reliable backup power sources, ensuring continuity of essential services when traditional grids fail. Lighting the Way: Illustrate the transformative impact of solar-powered lighting in emergency situations, providing safety and security for vulnerable populations in the aftermath of disasters, particularly during nighttime hours. Energizing Critical Infrastructure: Explore how solar microgrids can power hospitals, shelters, and community centers during emergencies, enabling medical care, communication, and relief efforts to continue uninterrupted when the grid goes down. Connecting Communities: Highlight the role of solar-powered communication systems, such as mobile charging stations and satellite internet hubs, in keeping communities connected with loved ones, emergency services, and vital information during disasters. Water for Life: Showcase the importance of solar-powered water purification systems in ensuring access to clean drinking water in disaster-stricken areas, mitigating the risk of waterborne illnesses and dehydration. Supporting Resilient Housing: Discuss the integration of solar energy solutions into resilient housing designs, including solar panels, battery storage, and energy-efficient appliances, to enhance self-sufficiency, reduce vulnerability to future disasters. Empowering Local Economies: Explore the economic benefits of investing in solar energy infrastructure for disaster resilience, including job creation, energy independence, and the potential for community-owned microgrid projects. Bridging the Gap: Address the disparities in access to emergency power solutions, particularly for marginalized communities, and advocate for equitable distribution of resources and support for community-led initiatives. Building Back Better: Emphasize the opportunity presented by post-disaster reconstruction efforts to incorporate solar energy technologies into resilient infrastructure designs, fostering long-term sustainability and disaster preparedness. A Call to Action: Encourage governments, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders to prioritize investments in solar energy for disaster resilience, recognizing its capacity to save lives, build stronger communities, and pave the way for a brighter, more resilient future. #SolarResilience #DisasterPreparedness #SolarSafetyNet #SolarRelief #LightingHope #ConnectedCommunities

This new initiative in the US is a prime example of how decarbonization and disaster readiness go hand in hand. FEMA has announced a new initiative to install solar panels on public buildings rebuilt after disasters, such as schools and hospitals. With greater energy independence, the agency hopes that these buildings can become "resilience hubs", to where residents can turn for help during natural disasters—even if the power grid is down. To me, downtown airports seem like a natural location for such "resilience hubs", to provide critical resources when their communities are in need. Many airports, like Billy Bishop / Toronto City, are already equipped with clean energy infrastructure and extensive disaster readiness plans. #Decarbonization #Solar #CleanEnergy #ClimateCrisis

In emergency response situations, restoring power and utilities is critical to community recovery. Our latest blog explores how specialized equipment, such as boom trucks and trailers, plays a pivotal role in ensuring rapid and efficient restoration efforts. >>> https://ctos.co/4fKw7ij #CTOS #energy #heavyequipment #EmergencyResponse #UtilityRestoration #InfrastructureSupport #RecoveryEfforts

The Urgent Need for Riverguard Early Warning System in Rwanda Introduction: In Rwanda, the absence of an early warning system for river disasters has led to devastating consequences, resulting in loss of lives and destruction of property. This document outlines the critical need for the implementation of Riverguard Early Warning System and its potential impact on saving lives and preventing disasters. Current Situation: Without an early warning system in place, communities in Rwanda are vulnerable to the unpredictable nature of river-related disasters. Each day, lives are lost, families are displaced, and infrastructure is destroyed due to floods, landslides, and other water-related emergencies. The lack of timely information and preparedness exacerbates the severity of these disasters, leaving communities helpless and unprepared. Impact of Losing Early Warning System: >>Increased loss of lives: Without early warnings, communities are caught off guard, leading to higher casualties during river disasters. >>Economic setbacks: Destruction of property and infrastructure results in significant financial losses for individuals, businesses, and the government. >>Social disruption: Displacement of families and communities adds to the social and psychological toll of river disasters, disrupting normal life and causing long-term trauma. The Solution: Riverguard Early Warning System: Thierry Art Space proposes the implementation of Riverguard Early Warning System in Rwanda to address these critical challenges. This innovative system utilizes advanced technology and real-time data analysis to provide timely warnings and alerts for river-related disasters. Potential Impact of Riverguard Early Warning System: >>Lives saved: With early warnings, communities can evacuate and take preventive measures, significantly reducing the loss of lives during river disasters. >>Reduced economic losses: Timely alerts allow for better preparedness, minimizing damage to property and infrastructure, thereby mitigating financial losses. >>Improved resilience: By empowering communities with information and resources, Riverguard fosters resilience and enhances the ability to cope with river-related emergencies. Call to Action: We appeal to potential funders, investors, supporters, and partners to join us in the development and implementation of Riverguard Early Warning System in Rwanda. With your support, we can make our rivers safer, protect lives, and build a more resilient future for all Rwandans. Funding Requirement: Total Funding Needed: $50,000 Project Timeline: 3 months Repayment Plan: Funds will be returned within 2 years only, ensuring a sustainable investment in saving lives and preventing disasters. Together, let's make a difference. Invest in Riverguard Early Warning System today. For more reach on us via WhatsApp https://wa.me/250788965570

Enhancing Resilience: The Landscape of Vulnerability Assessment in Nepal   Nepal, nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, boasts breathtaking landscapes but is also a hotspot for natural disasters and socio-economic vulnerabilities. In this challenging context, vulnerability assessment emerges as a crucial tool for understanding, mitigating, and building resilience against various hazards. Geographically, Nepal's susceptibility to seismic activities is well-known, underscored by the devastating earthquake of 2015. Vulnerability assessments play a pivotal role in analyzing building structures, soil stability, and landslide risks, aiding in the development of robust disaster preparedness and response strategies. Social vulnerabilities add another layer of complexity. Nepal's diverse ethnic composition and socioeconomic disparities necessitate nuanced assessments to identify vulnerable communities and address underlying inequalities. Such assessments inform targeted interventions aimed at enhancing social cohesion, strengthening community resilience, and promoting inclusive development. Environmental degradation further compounds vulnerabilities, exacerbating the impacts of natural hazards. Deforestation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss heighten the risk of landslides and floods. Vulnerability assessments offer insights into the intricate interplay between environmental factors and socio-economic vulnerabilities, guiding conservation efforts and sustainable land management practices. Infrastructure vulnerabilities, particularly in rural areas, pose significant challenges to resilience-building efforts. Weak infrastructure exacerbates the impacts of disasters, hindering access to essential services and impeding recovery efforts. Assessments focusing on infrastructure vulnerabilities inform investments in resilient infrastructure, enhancing preparedness and minimizing disaster risks. Vulnerability assessments aid in assessing the economic impacts of disasters, guiding livelihood diversification strategies, and promoting sustainable development pathways. Institutional vulnerabilities, including weak governance structures and limited capacity for disaster risk management, present formidable barriers to resilience-building efforts. Assessments of institutional vulnerabilities inform policy reforms, institutional strengthening, and capacity-building initiatives, fostering an enabling environment for effective disaster risk reduction. In conclusion, vulnerability assessment in Nepal's context is multifaceted, addressing geophysical, climatic, social, environmental, infrastructural, economic, and institutional vulnerabilities. By embracing a holistic approach, integrating local knowledge, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, vulnerability assessments serve as invaluable tools for enhancing resilience, safeguarding livelihoods, and fostering sustainable development in Nepal's dynamic landscape. Prof. Dr. Suman Thapaliya

What can happen when disaster-affected communities contest -or even outright reject- proposed designs for disaster recovery? In this book chapter in Design for Emergency Management (van Manen et al., 2024), I reflect on my consultancy work on "design thinking" (as popularised by the Stanford d.school and IDEO) in which our community partners challenged proposed designs in two cases: one on post-typhoon humanitarian shelter implemented by a non-governmental organisation and another on livelihood rehabilitation for fisherfolk, where "design thinking" was used by a national government agency for "bureaucratic re-orientation." I use the concept "knowledge controversies" (Whatmore, 2013) to assert that these acts of resistance against "expert" design knowledge are creative forces - and need to be embraced rather than ignored. Contestation can prompt the reassessment of projects that are irrelevant to those affected by disaster as well as bring designs closer to the lived experiences of typhoon-affected communities. Resistance to so-called expert knowledge may also shift the political orientation of designers and other project proponents toward more equitable and just disaster recovery pathways. I conclude by reflecting on two aspects of the "design thinking" process of Empathize-Define-Ideate-Prototype-Test. First, I discuss the limits and possibilities of the Empathize stage (mostly composed of user research and workshops) for community participation. Secondly, I examine how the modular nature of "design thinking" tends to benefit managers more than disaster-affected communities whose intergenerational marginalisation is underpinned by a historical arc of cancelled projects and empty promises. I also provide several recommendations for strengthening equity in "design thinking" projects, including creating spaces specifically for providing constructive feedback on designs developed by "experts" and providing venues for the disaster-affected to participate in design decision-making at the highest possible level and the earliest possible time. My blog post on the chapter and chapter draft can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/g9hjyg8u Many thanks to Saskia and the rest of the editorial team of Design for Emergency Management for inviting me to contribute.