Superstorm Sandy
FEMA (2013) reports that the Superstorm Sandy was one of the second largest recorded storms. It affected many Islands of West Virginia, Indiana, Ohia, and the East Coast of Florida. The damages in both New Jersey and New York were as a result of the strong wind and heavy rains recorded. The storm damaged many homes recorded to be at least hundreds of thousands and led to the loss of at least on hundred and sixty-two lives in the US (FEMA, 2013). In addition, billions of dollars of properties were damaged. Staten Island was one of the adversely affected places where many homes had submerged under water, and the vehicles of those fleeing were carried away by the huge waves of water. Several teams were called upon to help recover the survivors or the bodies, but the search became too tough with the much loss caused by the storm. The island was negatively impacted on by the storm with many people losing their properties and 19 of the 40 victims so far recovered from the storm rescue mission being form Staten Island (Barron, Goldstein, & Semple, 2012). As a borough commander for FDNY responsible for the operations in Staten Island in the days before the storm, October 26-29, 2012, I would prioritize to do the following as discussed to safeguard the community and mitigate the possible losses.
- Leadership: One of the biggest problems witnessed in most of the disaster rescue operations is the issue of uncooperative, conflicting, and unclear command structures (FEMA, 2013; Robert & Tuohy, 2006). To avoid this problem in Staten Island, I would call a meeting of all security personals and allocate them an area of operations. Within the regions that I would divide among my security team, I would choose a leader based on the reputation in such cases and level of expertise. As such, the other team members would follow instructions from these leaders. Leadership would be my priority because people would be informed and well controlled. With each region being under the watch of the divided teams under the stringent leadership, the death Ms. Moore and the kids would not be witnessed since the team would guide them not to drive while the storm is in progress (Barron et al., 2012). With such leadership, the searching would be more efficient since some of the victims would be recovered before they succumb to the effects of the storm.
- Communication: The systems of control, command, and coordination are effective if only the communication is efficient. Robert and Tuohy (2006) give an example of the Katrina Hurricane that destroyed the communication infrastructure along the Gulf Coast region leave the citizens and the rescue team with no defined strategy for communication. As a preparation for the storm, it would be wise to have alternative strategies for communication. In addition to the landlines numbers, I would give the residents of Stanten Island the numbers of the team leaders to call them in a case of emergency. Moreover, I would urge the residents to use fireworks as a signal for calling for help in case the mobile system failed. For efficient control of the situation and issuing of instructions to my team members, communication is mandatory hence the reason as to why I would prioritize it.
- Planning: Based on the Katrina Hurricane, a thousand of residents experienced evacuation problems in New Orleans because they had nowhere to go and no one to guide them (FEMA, 2013). In regards to this situation, I would come up with an effective plan for ensuring that the residents are evacuated safely and their property protected. The case of Glenda Moore who was trying to flee the storm by driving but succumbed to the storm could be avoided (Barron et al., 2012). Based on the information given by the weather forecast team, I would urge the residents to flee to a school or the given locality by the weather forecast team to avoid direct bumping into the storm. Besides, the security teams would be in the evacuating camp to maintain order.
- Resource acquisition: To enhance communication and conducting the planned strategy, it would be vital to acquire more resource in preparation for the storm (Robert &Tuohy, 2006). I would obtain fireworks and allocate to all homes for use in case of emergency. The cases of people trapped in their house could be possibly mitigated through this like the couple that could not escape the storm because their car was not in the driveway (Barron et al., 2012). Acquiring additional officers to help in the operations would be necessary.
- Creating good public relations: Based on the Robert and Tuohy (2006) findings, I would ensure that through the effective communication planned, all the residents would help each other during the problem. Through good public relations, my team would inform the residents on what to do during the storm such as staying on high points, fleeing to the rescue camps or seeking my teams’ intervention.
- Urge the public to evacuate to safer places outside the island: If Glenda Moore who was fleeing with her sons to her sister’s home in Brooklyn had done so in time, she would not have been overrun by the water (Barron et al., 2012). By ensuring that the residents evacuated their homes before the storm, the number of deaths would have probably reduced.
- Increasing security: To maintain order and security, the security team would conduct frequent patrols. This would ensure the citizens vacate without the fear of their property being stolen.
- Motivating a change in the residents’ response: Most of the victims of most disasters are affected because they are ignorant that a disaster will occur (Barron, Goldstein & Semple, 2012). By motivating them to take the storms prediction seriously, the many deaths and property loss would not be encountered.
- Ensuring the residents are well updated: Through the radio stations and any appropriate media, I would ensure that I keep the residents updated about the storm and the safety regulations.
- My last priority would be ensuring an analysis of the reports given by the different team leaders. This would be of the essence in knowing the number of lost persons and reported deaths. It would be the last priority because the analysis would require time which would vary as per the storms situation hence there would be a possibility of being occupied playing other roles.
References
Barron, J., Goldstein, J., & Semple, K. (2012). Staten Island was tragic epicenter of storm’s casualties. The New York Times, p. 18. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/nyregion/staten-island-was-tragic-epicenter-of-new-york-citys-storm-casualties.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
FEMA, (2013). Hurricane Sandy FEMA after-action report. (pp. 1-5). Washington D.C.: FEMA.
Robert, V., Tuohy, A. (2006). Lessons we do not learn: A study of the lessons of disasters, why we repeat them, and how we can learn them. Homeland Security Affairs, 2(2), 6-20. Retrieved from http://www.hsaj.org
