All Vital Roles in Recovery. Assessment of Impacts from Hurricane Lane Begins in Hawaii

Situation Awareness Hawaii recovery from Hurricane Lane:

What makes one island state\territory\nation so different in planning, preparedness, response, and recovery from another when disaster strikes.  Involvement of the ‘whole community’, involvement by all, taking a pro-active approach to save lives and build a more resilient community.

To our members involved in the pre-planning, and recovery of Hawaii at the federal, and State level.  Thank you for your efforts and professionalism in ensuring the swift recovery of the communities of Hawaii from Hurricane Lane. 

In the private sector, small business enterprises will be the key in serving communities with vital resources for shelter, clothing, water & food, and other necessities.  Your business continuity plan (BCP) for your enterprise with aid agreements in the local communities also play a vital role in the overall emergency planning for recovery.

Charles D. Sharp

CEO

BEMA International

Private Sector Advisory                                                                                     Assessment of Impacts from Hurricane Lane Begins in Hawaii Residents are urged to remain cautious as a flash flood watch is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands through Sunday afternoon   August 26, 2018 FEMA continues working alongside multiple partners from the federal family, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to support Hawaii’s efforts as they begin to assess the impacts from Hurricane Lane. According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, as of 11 p.m. HST, Lane is now a Tropical Storm with maximum sustained winds of  40 mph.  All land base tropical storm watches and warnings have been cancelled. The current forecast continues a weakening trend over the next few days, with Lane likely becoming a post-tropical low on Monday. Lingering moisture associated with Tropical Storm Lane will produce excessive rainfall this weekend, which could lead to additional flash flooding and landslides. Lane is expected to produce additional rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches across the windward side of the Big Island and Maui and 3 to 5 inches elsewhere. Localized storm total amounts well in excess of 40 inches have already been observed along the windward side of the Big Island. A flash flood watch is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands through Sunday afternoon. Not all the impacts from the event have been realized, flooding continues as more rain is expected in Maui, Kaua’i, Oahu and Hawaii counties. Residents should follow the directions of state and local officials and avoid areas with damages. Do not return to damaged or flooded areas until told it is safe to do so. Stay away from downed power lines and flooded areas. Live power lines can cause fatal injuries. If you encounter flood waters, remember – turn around, don’t drown. Residents can call 808-768-2489 for help with city services, a list of available shelters, or assistance with transportation to and from shelters. To file a flood insurance claim under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), contact your insurance agent immediately. You can also call 1-800-427-4661 to learn more about your policy, and be directed to the appropriate claims resource.  Within 24-48 hours, an adjuster will call you to schedule an appointment. Disaster Declarations  On August 22, 2018, President Trump approved HI Governor Ige’s request for an Emergency Declaration for Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai Counties, and the City and County of Honolulu in the State of Hawaii, limited to Direct Federal Assistance, as a result of Hurricane Lane.  The Emergency Declaration authorizes FEMA to support the state with federal resources in its efforts to respond to the incident.   Coordinated Resources  FEMA and its federal partners continue to coordinate closely with state and local officials to support any anticipated unmet needs. FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Teams are on the ground in Hawaii to support the state with any potential rescue operations.  FEMA liaison officers are deployed to the Emergency Operations Center in Hawaii to help coordinate any additional requests for federal assistance. FEMA liaisons are also working with state and local officials on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Oahu.   FEMA Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) personnel and equipment are in Honolulu, Hilo and Kauai to support the state with secure and non-secure voice, video and information services to support emergency response communications needs. A FEMA Region IX Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) is deployed to Hawaii for the Kilauea Lava flow. Additional teams remain in California, should they be needed.   The National Flood Insurance Program currently has 50 claims adjusters in Hawaii prepared to respond to insured survivors. An additional 500-600 adjusters are on standby should they be needed.     Preparedness and Safety Information for the Public  Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way. If you must walk or drive in areas that have been flooded, stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Play it safe.  Additional flooding or flash floods can occur. Listen for local warnings and information. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out immediately and climb to higher ground. You should listen to NOAA Weather Radio, watch TV, listen to the radio for official news, emergency alerts, and instructions as they become available.  Download the FEMA mobile app (available in English and Spanish) to receive ongoing emergency alerts and safety information so you and your loved ones know what to do before, during, and after disasters. This simple and easy-to-use app provides real-time alerts from the National Weather Service, open emergency shelter locations in your area, and preparedness tips for every type of disaster. Free and available on Apple and Android devices. Please see attached Lifelines, Potential Impacts and Actions. If you have any questions, please contact FEMA’s Private Sector Engagement Team at FEMA-Private-Sector@fema.dhs.gov. ### Please help support FEMA’s mission of “Helping people before, during and after disasters.” The 2018-2022 Strategic Plan creates a shared vision for the field of emergency management and sets an ambitious, yet achievable, path forward to unify and further professionalize emergency management across the country. We invite all of our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a stronger Agency and a more prepared and resilient Nation. Download the FEMA App to locate and get directions to open shelters across the state, and receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Brock Long's activities at https://twitter.com/fema_brock. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. ·  FEMA+FINAL+Hawaii+lifelines+8-26-2018.docx This service is provided to you at no charge by FEMA.

Black Emergency Managers Association            International
1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097
bEMA International

     

   

“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.” ¯   David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

Cooperation, Collaboration, Communication, Coordination, Community engagement, and  Partnering (C5&P)             A 501 (c) 3 organization.

Congratulations Dr. Morris Koffa. Publication: The Ebola Epidemic in Liberia.

It is an honor and pleasure to announce the publication of our member, Dr. Morris Koffa (Lifetime) new book ‘The Ebola Epidemic in Liberia’.

Morris is a valued advisor on Liberia and cultural knowledge and understanding to me, and in focusing members of BEMA International in local community issues, capacity building, diaspora expertise for not only Liberia, but other African Descent communities globally.  Addressing environmental inequity issues in Liberia, the continent of Africa, and other communities.  Pertinent to communities from Flint, Michigan (water contamination), to Bay View community of San Francisco (radiological contamination), Nigeria Delta Region (oil contamination), and other communities not brought into the light.

There is no ‘brain drain’ from our communities, just an under-utilized, non-interactive, or non-inclusive addition of experts from the diaspora sitting and invited to the table,  Experts that not only have the problem-solving power, but as a collective the financial means to address the most pressing issues from financial inequity, homelessness, education, water & food security issues, and other social disaster\crisis\emergency management concerns.

Looking forward to weekend read.

Sincerely,

Charles D. Sharp

The Ebola Epidemic in Liberia By Dr. Morris Koffa Paperback, 84 Pages  Price: $8.00 Prints in 3-5 business days In this maiden scholastic work, Dr. Morris T. Koffa explores the link that runs through taking care of the environment, addressing issues of emergency/disaster management, and creating public health awareness. He explains how Liberia's failure to put appropriate infrastructures in place intensified the adverse impact of the Ebola virus epidemic that decimated a huge number of Liberians. This is a book whose time has really arrived. Read it and be inspired.

Charles D. Sharp Chief Executive Officer Black Emergency Managers Association            International
1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097
bEMA International

     

Change without Sacrifice is an Illusion.  Lisa Ellis

Rice U., University of Pittsburgh study also finds FEMA aid increased inequality

http://news.rice.edu/2018/08/20/natural-disasters-widen-racial-wealth-gap/

Natural disasters widen racial wealth gap

AMY MCCAIG

 – AUGUST 20, 2018

Rice U., University of Pittsburgh study also finds FEMA aid increased inequality

Damage caused by natural disasters and recovery efforts launched in their aftermaths have increased wealth inequality between races in the United States, according to new research from Rice University and the University of Pittsburgh.

“Damages Done: The Longitudinal Impacts of Natural Hazards on Wealth Inequality in the United States” will   appear in an upcoming edition of Social Problems. A supplement to the paper highlights the wealth gap between whites and blacks attributable to natural disaster damage from 1999 through 2013 in 20 U.S. counties.

Researchers Junia Howell, a scholar at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Pittsburgh and Jim Elliott, a professor of sociology at Rice and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute combined longitudinal data from nearly 3,500 families across the U.S. with governmental data on local natural disaster damages, Federal Emergency Management Aid (FEMA) and demographics. They followed these people from 1999 through 2013 as disaster damage of varying scale struck counties where they lived, and examined how their personal wealth was impacted.

Supplement highlighting wealth gap between whites and blacks attributable to natural disaster damage from 1999 through 2013 in 20 U.S. counties.

“Last year the United States suffered more than $260 billion in direct damages from natural disasters –mainly from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria,” said Howell, who was the study’s lead author. “And there were also numerous wildfires, floods and tornadoes. Data show that since 2000, approximately 99 percent of counties in the U.S. have experienced significant damage from some type of natural disaster, with costs expected to increase significantly over coming years. We wanted to investigate how these damages impact wealth inequality and accumulation.”

Whites who lived in counties with only $100,000 in damage from 1999 to 2013 gained an average of approximately $26,000 in wealth. However, those who lived in counties with at least $10 billion in damage during the same time period gained nearly $126,000, the paper said.

“In other words, whites living in counties with considerable damage from natural disasters accumulate more wealth than their white counterparts living in counties without major natural disaster damage,” Howell said.

However, among blacks, Latinos and Asians, the results went the other direction. Blacks who lived in counties with just $100,000 in damage gained an estimated $19,000 in wealth on average, while those living in counties with at least $10 billion in damage lost an estimated $27,000. Latinos in counties with $100,000 in damage gained $72,000 on average, and those in areas with at least $10 billion in damage lost an estimated $29,000. And Asians gained $21,000 on average and lost $10,000, respectively. These differences occurred even after the researchers controlled for a wide range of factors including age, education, homeownership, family status, residential mobility, neighborhood status and county population.

“Put another way, whites accumulate more wealth after natural disasters while residents of color accumulate less,” Elliott said. “What this means is wealth inequality is increasing in counties that are hit by more disasters.”

The researchers were able to estimate by county how much of the inequality is attributed to natural disasters. In Harris County, Texas, the disaster-related increase in the black-white wealth gap, on average, was $87,000.

The story does not stop there, Howell and Elliott said. Counties that received more aid from the FEMA saw additional increases in wealth inequality beyond that attributed to the natural disasters themselves. For example, whites living in counties that received at least $900 million in FEMA aid from 1999 to 2013 accumulated $55,000 more wealth on average than otherwise similar whites living in counties that received only $1,000 in aid. Conversely, blacks living in counties that received at least $900 million in FEMA aid accumulated $82,000 less wealth on average than otherwise similar blacks living in counties that received only $1,000 in FEMA aid. Similarly, Latinos accumulated $65,000 less on average, and other races (majority Asians) accumulated $51,000 less.

“It’s unclear why more FEMA aid is exacerbating inequality,” Howell said. “More research is clearly needed. However, based on previous work on disasters such as hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, we know FEMA aid is not equitably distributed across communities. This is particularly true when it comes to infrastructural redevelopment, which often has profound effects on residents’ property appreciation and business vitality. When certain areas receive more redevelopment aid and those neighborhoods also are primarily white, racial inequality is going to be amplified.”

In addition to exacerbating racial wealth gaps, the researchers found that after natural disasters wealth inequality also increases based on home ownership. Individuals who owned homes in counties that experienced high levels of natural disaster damage accumulated $72,000 more wealth on average than their counterparts in counties with few disasters. Renters, on the other hand, lost $61,000 in wealth on average relative to renters in counties with few natural disasters.

“Put another way, natural disasters were responsible for a $133,000 increase in inequality between homeowners and renters in the hardest hit counties,” Elliott said.

Similarly, college-educated residents accumulated $111,000 more on average if they lived in a county that experienced extreme disasters compared to their counterparts who did not live through disasters. Conversely, those with only a 10th-grade education who lived in counties that experienced extreme disasters lost $48,000 from natural disaster damages on average when compared to counterparts who did not live through disasters.

“In other words, in the counties with the most damage, natural disasters are responsible for a $159,000 increase in the educational wealth gap,” Howell said.

Howell and Elliott said the results indicate that two major social challenges of our age – wealth inequality and rising costs of natural disasters – are increasingly and dynamically connected. They hope the research will encourage further examination of wealth inequality in the U.S. and development of solutions to address the problem.

“The good news is that if we develop more equitable approaches to disaster recovery, we can not only better tackle that problem but also help build a more just and resilient society,” Howell and Elliott concluded.

The researchers are now building on this work by examining how local for-profit and nonprofit organizations influence social inequality after natural disaster

PAID Internship Opportunities. Nothing in major URBAN AREAS.

PAID internships below that are currently open at National Wildlife Refuges across the country.  In addition to getting paid, you will gain awareness, knowledge, and experience working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the largest conservation system in the world.  For more information, click on the links.  Interested individuals should apply through the Student Conservation Association.

Training Administration Intern

Expected Dates:  September 3, 2018 to August 31, 2019

Site:  National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Biological and Recreation Technician Intern

Expected Dates:  September 4, 2018 to November 26, 2018

Site:  Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, Conway, South Carolina

Biological Technician

Expected Dates:  September 4, 2018 to November 26, 2018

Site:  Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Summerton, South Carolina

Visitor Services Intern

Expected Dates:  September 4, 2018 to November 26, 2018

Site:  Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Shirley, New York

Environmental Education Intern – Fall 2

Expected Dates:  September 17, 2018 to December 8, 2018

Site:  Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Lacombe, Louisiana

Environmental Education Intern – Fall 1

Expected Dates:  September 17, 2018 to December 8, 2018

Site:  Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Lacombe, Louisiana

Environmental Education Intern-Houston Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership

Expected Dates:  September 17, 2018 to January 13, 2019

Site:  FWS Southwest Region (R2), Houston, Texas

Restoration Intern

Expected Dates:  September 17, 2018 to July 27, 2019

Site:  Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Rosa, Texas

Visitor Center Services Intern

Expected Dates:  September 23, 2018 to April 26, 2019

Site:  Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Kodiak, Alaska

High Visitation Visitor Services and Animal Caretaker Interns

Expected Dates:  September 24, 2018 to February 23, 2019

Site:  Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado

Visitor Service Intern

Expected Dates:  September 24, 2018 to September 22, 2019

Site:  Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Warsaw, Virginia

Aquatic Conservation Intern

Expected Dates:  September 30, 2018 to September 29, 2019

Site:  Ennis National Fish Hatchery, Ennis, Montana

Environmental Education/Visitor Services Intern

Expected Dates:  October 15, 2018 to February 23, 2019

Site:  Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, Eufaula, Alabama

Invasive Wildlife Technician

Expected Dates:  October 22, 2018 to May 4, 2019

Site:  Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo, Florida