KATRINA FALLOUT

Lessons from Katrina being tested

Emergency management officials say lessons learned during Hurricane Katrina are being used in the evacuation for Hurricane Rita.
Lessons such as:
>> The need to respond quicker with shelter, water, food and medical supplies for evacuees.
>> The need for backup first-responders who may be unavailable to help in case of a subsequent emergency as in the case of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
>> The need for better communications between emergency management personnel and responding agencies.
That information now is being used to help evacuees temporarily residing in Odessa and other cities as they flee Hurricane Rita.
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http://www.oaoa.com/news/nw092505c.htm


Keeping Lines of Communication Open During a Disaster

Recent events such as Hurricane Katrina illustrate the importance of being able to effectively communicate with key audiences during crisis situations. While the trigger event may vary, ranging from a power outage or natural disaster to a terrorist attack, the need for effective crisis communications remains constant. A key to the communications strategy is the ability to activate messages over a variety of devices — landline and cell phone, satellite phone, mobile device and pager. To be effective, organizations need to implement comprehensive crisis communication.
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http://www.itbusinessedge.com/content/3Q/3qpub1-20050928.aspx


Katrina a media wake-up call

The fallout of the Katrina disaster as a wake-up call for the media, hinting that news agencies had been lax following Sept. 11, rallying around the president and restraining from asking hard questions for fear of being seen as unpatriotic.
"There was very limited information," said Shuster, adding that what makes Katrina so significant is that for the first time since before Sept. 11, news agencies didn't have to rely on officials or experts to tell them what was going on in New Orleans.
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http://www.idsnews.com/subsite/story.php?id=31628&adid=campus

Senators seek answers to post-Katrina problems

Some Louisiana senators are forming a joint committee to help with disaster planning and crisis management, and they held their first meeting at the Capitol building today. The meeting was intended to solicit ideas and suggestions from local leaders who might provide a clearer understanding of exactly what took place in the days following Katrina and what might have been done differently.
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http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/100405/new_senators001.shtml


Are you ready?

Emergency preparedness experts recommend citizens begin by taking care of themselves and their own families, then, for those who wish to do more, begin learning ways to help your neighbors and others following a disaster.
Having supplies at home, in your car and at work is a must since no one knows where they'll be in an emergency. CERT trainers recommend having three-day kits that include:
* Bottled water
* Non-perishable food such as energy bars
* Medications
* Personal hygiene items
* First aid kit
* Portable radio
* Flashlight/extra batteries
* Matches
* Camping stove
* Blankets
* Cash (small bills as this may be all stores are accepting)
* Comfort items, especially if you have children, such as teddy bears, favorite snacks or food, family photographs and card games.
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http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1024&dept_id=231484&newsid=15303414&PAG=461&rfi=9