From Crisis to Recovery: Local Governments Lead in Disaster Management
Time moves slowly after a disaster. As linemen work to restore power, engineers repair water systems, and community members wait for life to start feeling normal again, the passing days can feel like weeks.
Disasters impact all communities, regardless of size, location, or economic standing, and it is less a matter of if a disaster will hit than when. Two members of McGill’s Client Services team, Robert Hyatt and Gary Jackson, have served in numerous local government leadership positions. They described the four phases of local government’s role in disaster management: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, affected areas are moving through the response, recovery, and mitigation phases.
Communication is Key in the Initial Response
In the response phase, it is important to listen to your local government leaders and heed their advice or warnings. Communication is a key part of the initial response. Misinformation can spread quickly after a disaster, and it is important to listen to and follow the advice of a trusted organization, like your local government. Tuning into communication in the response phase can also be a good reminder that you are not alone — in the wake of a disaster, the camaraderie within your community will likely feel strong.
The Recovery Phase is Multi-Faceted
At the start of the recovery phase, local government will be focused on security, which includes trying to prevent looting and working to restore services like water, trash, and travel, among others. With storm disasters like hurricanes, tornados, and floods, debris is an immediate concern. The local government will need to quickly clear debris like building materials, damaged household items, fallen vegetation, hazardous materials, spoiled food, etc. Collecting and disposing of debris helps to minimize potential public health issues.
In the recovery phase, the local government will coordinate with federal, state, and non-profit organizations that are able to come into the area and support those who have been impacted. In this stage, as opposed to in the initial response, the local government has a better understanding of what areas were most affected. In some cases, to help individuals get back on their feet after a disaster, the local government might waive fees for items like building inspections, sanitation tipping, and utility payments.
On-going Mitigation Helps Local Governments Be Prepared
The mitigation phase is ongoing — it happens before, during, and after a disaster. This is a time for local government members to debrief and understand how they can interact better with the next disaster. A key aspect of mitigation is understanding that there will always be a next disaster and with that, there will always be ways your community can respond better. There are many resources government officials can use for ongoing mitigation, here are a few: International City/County Management Association (ICMA), FEMA Disaster Recovery Guide, FEMA Courses via the Emergency Management Institute, and the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management.
Recovering from a disaster is a long and often difficult process. It takes time to rebuild a community so that its people can move through a full day the way they used to, and that is one of the most important things to keep in mind. No matter how well-prepared a community may be, recovery is never immediate — it is a gradual process that must be approached with care and understanding.
