 New ICPD Director Focuses
on Ensuring Emergency Readiness
Aaron
Levy is no newcomer to emergency preparedness. He was named Director
of FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division
(ICPD) in December 2020 after a decade of service with the
Agency. Aaron had served as Acting Director since September
2019. He has also worked as ICPD’s Deputy Director and in other
positions across FEMA.
"Initially, what drew me to [FEMA] was
an opportunity to be part of a team that was rethinking emergency
management in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was an exciting
time. I quickly realized that the Agency’s mission, ‘helping people
before, during and after disasters,’ gave me a sense of purpose that
I was lacking in my professional life.”
Aaron says he is particularly drawn to ICPD
because “it is the only team in FEMA focused on preparing individuals
and community organizations, rather than FEMA’s traditional state,
local, tribal and territorial partners, for disasters. It’s a dream
job for someone who loves their country, believes in FEMA’s mission,
and appreciates the opportunity to work alongside the most talented,
focused, and dedicated staff in the entire U.S. Government.”
Aaron counts the creation of a research
program that focuses on human behavior as one of ICPD’s most
important recent achievements. An increased focus on research helps
ICPD understand what programs and tools help prepare people. The
annual National Household Survey shows the
public continues to be better prepared for disasters, he notes.
Aaron attributes some of these improvements
to FEMA laying the groundwork for emergency readiness. He sees other
factors as well.
“I think the increase in the number and type
of disasters has made preparedness a ‘kitchen table’ issue for many …
families,” he says. “Second, organizations ranging from Silicon
Valley startups to small, local [nonprofits] are focused on
developing cutting-edge resources to help people be better prepared.”
ICPD focused on a new reason to prepare in
2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the country, ICPD
stepped up to assist. Several staff members deployed to FEMA’s
National Response Coordination Center to support the Agency’s
response. Remaining staff members “led a Herculean effort to revamp
our protective action guidance for pandemic
preparedness,” Aaron says.
Aaron notes that staff also worked to ensure
FEMA’s new Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs
(OPEN) training addresses pandemic hazards. The training
focuses on 10 key actions that nonprofits, faith-based organizations,
and small businesses can take to be prepared to operate during
disasters.
Promoting OPEN is just one of several goals
Aaron has for 2021. The release of an updated Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP)
curriculum is another. STEP, which is aimed at students in grades
four and up, teaches youth about preparing for disasters and
emergencies. The curriculum engages them in activities like making
emergency kits and family communication plans. STEP is part of a broader youth program that is “a
priority because building a culture of preparedness starts with our
Nation’s youth,” Aaron says.
Aaron places a high value on activities that
engage kids throughout FEMA’s 10 regions. “The Youth Preparedness Council and tools
such as the Prepare with Pedro coloring book and
Ready 2 Help card game are the gold
standard in terms of youth preparedness,” he notes.
The work to refocus on financial resilience,
which teaches and informs individuals how to save money to prepare
for disasters, will also continue in 2021.
“Encouraging [people] to set aside money for
a disaster is a noble objective that our team has been working toward
over the last two years. However, many Americans are struggling to
put food on the table during this difficult time.”
Aaron has asked ICPD “to work with our
partners to figure out how we can encourage [folks] to take steps,
such as buying insurance and ensuring that their financial
information is organized before a disaster hits.” He also wants the
Division to engage with FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery so
that FEMA can better educate people about the limitations of [the
Agency’s] assistance programs.
Aaron asks people to email ICPD at FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov
if they have suggestions or ideas that can help the Agency achieve these
goals.
Like everyone, ICPD’s Director is looking
forward to a healthier 2021 and a resumption of in-person activities.
“In 2020, we did our best to leverage Zoom
and other online platforms to stay in touch with and build
connections with new stakeholders” he says. Once a majority of
Americans receive the COVID vaccine, I hope to get back on the road
again and meet in person with our partners across the country!
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