Unfortunately, Mother Nature has a fierce bite, and when she storms through your town, she could leave you scrambling for help. Weather systems such as hurricanes, tornados and blizzards arrive quickly and can ravage land and homes.
Residents and the town government need swift interventions and clear protocols during this time. Don’t get caught off-guard. Government officials should plan now to manage these situations appropriately. The following are four things to consider.
1. Learn From Other Localities
Other towns have lived through tragedies, finding a way to get back on their feet. It’s not easy. However, these locations and their leaders now understand what obstacles are likely to present and what they wish they could have done better. Therefore, contact leaders from areas that recently overcame these strifes. What did they do? What worked and what didn’t? Use their experience to guide you in improving and bolstering your response procedures.
2. Create a Disaster Response Plan
The council should create a subcommittee focused on disaster relief and response. Create a diverse group of individuals. Speak with medical professionals, construction workers, trash and utility services and rescue officers. Get their input on what they require to get through the event. Talk about early steps to fortify the town and how to clean up afterward.
Practice with drills. Do your operations and plans work, or are you missing something? Could you tweak anything to run a bit more smoothly? Review and reflect frequently, especially after gathering insight from other public officials.
3. Establish Communication Procedures
How do you plan to initiate contact with people about a possible situation? Who commands the chain, and how and when does the information go public? Know the answers to these questions ahead of time. In addition, choose an effective method of communication, such as working with news crews and using a texting system.
4. Prepare Now for Immediate Help
When the storm passes, get professionals to establish order and pick up the debris as soon as possible. Find an emergency relief company with experience and a solid reputation now. You don’t want to hunt this information down at the last moment. Early intervention could alleviate local worries and prevent further complications.
When emergencies happen, there is plenty to handle. Use the present to fine-tune your emergency plans to have a foundation already set. Focus on the aftermath with a clear understanding of what you should do and how you can assist in the repairs.