remote communities "manage disaster"

[AlaskaDenise]

We've just gone through a massive flooding event that has put residents in 7 different locations in total isolation for the forseeable future. I left work just hours before the bridge access was closed due to washouts under the supports of the 200+ foot high structure. We spent 2 days without phones, 911-capability, DSL, etc. The major road & rail routes between the states 2 biggest cities is closed for an unknown time. The "authorities" were unable to reach us. Our local few volunteers and numerous instant volunteers sandbagged, took in evacuees, etc.

This was an interesting event in that it provided an extensive view of emergency responses in an area-wide diaster.

- Most resources were directed to the more populated areas.
- Less populated areas were "on their own" except for their own few trained volunteers (who performed very well) & about 2-3 troopers.
- The most valuable people were local folks who knew where to get resources needed to deal with unforseen situations - they called folks in the middle of the night and asked them to bring their equipment to help - & they did just that.
- The value of in-home emergency preparations was obvious.
- One human "problem" were gawkers, who impeded performance of FD & volunteers - but that was dealth with quickly and effectively - the police announced they would arrest anyone who got in the way & the FD said vehicles blocking their way would be "forceably moved". Gawkers evaporated.
- Another human problem was those who didn't prepare to evacuate in advance, & those who waited too long.

I had participated in a planning session for just such an emergency. It was intersting to see how many important issues had been overlooked in our planning. "Battlefield decisions" saved the day.

The "official emergency planners" didn't participate in dealing with the actual emergency in the remote communities. Their "desk top" planning skills would have been nearly useless to solve critical problems.

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[MHSC]

Re: remote communities "manage disaster"

Glad to hear that you are OK.

 

[Christian Rivers]

Re: remote communities "manage disaster"

It is not the plan, but the planning that is important. You develop relationships and problem solving skills.
Good post. Learning by surviving and thriving is invaluable.
cr

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: remote communities "manage disaster"

Denise, this would not be a good time to find yourself isolated. As for the rest of us, we would be in a bad way without your input. I am so very glad you made it out. Now I hope they find a way to get relief to those that were not so lucky.

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: remote communities "manage disaster"

Denise, how good is the communication between agencies in your area? Do they all use the same equipment? And I am not one bit surprised battlefield decisions were needed. It always is the case. What is good to read is your decision makers made good choices.

 

[Niko]

Re: remote communities "manage disaster"

AlaskaDenise,

Thank you for sharing your experience and I am so thankful that you are okay! You were missed!

After you have a chance to catch your breath and get up to speed on the latest news, I look forward to hearing more details about how your community reacted - what worked and what didn't work and how it might apply to a pandemic situation.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: remote communities "manage disaster"

Denise, how good is the communication between agencies in your area? Do they all use the same equipment? And I am not one bit surprised battlefield decisions were needed. It always is the case. What is good to read is your decision makers made good choices.

The emergency radios for EMT, FD, & rescue stayed functional. But after a couple of days, they purposely used them less because folks were listening and then going to "see for themselves" and creating problems. I listened at my son's house - he's in FD, EMTS, & rescue.

They are slowly switching to digital radios & often use cell phones - but the cell towers went down when the phone systems went down. I can see the value of old fashioned CBs - as long as enough people have them. I'd say it's important to have communications that aren't dependent on modern communications systems.

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