Strong Local Partnerships: The Keys To Success 62 nd OFCM Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference

1. Strong Local Partnerships: The Keys To Success62nd OFCM Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference Naomi Moye ABRAHAMS GROUP NOAA/OFCM Information Flow Exploratory Review Findings Derived From Social Science Research Conducted In Mobile County Alabama March 6, 2008 Charleston, South Carolina

2. Mobile County Emergency Management AgencyStrength in Partnerships Strong Partners Enhance SocietalResiliency Societal resiliency is the Capacity of a Community and it’s Social Networks to Recover from and Respond Positively to a Crisis

3. Mobile County Emergency Management AgencyKey Federal & State Partners

4. State of Alabama Partners with Google • Press Release • Office of the GovernorBOB RILEYGovernorFebruary 25, 2008 • Nation’s Governors Recognize Alabama and Google for PartnershipGovernor Riley presents award at annual meeting in Washington • WASHINGTON - Alabama’s partnership with Google Earth in creating Virtual Alabama,a three-dimensional visualization program that can be used by first responders, law enforcement and others, was recognized by the nation’s governors today. • Governor Bob Riley presented the Public-Private Partnership Award from the National Governors Association to Google Earth during the group’s annual meeting in Washington, DC. Virtual Alabama is the nation’s first comprehensive database of satellite imagery and aerial photography that assembles, displays, evaluates and shares critical data for emergency responders. • The technology allows users to view a wide variety of information, including buildings, evacuation routes, flood zones, school districts and watersheds. Agencies using the program can access this information through a secure, Web-based application. • Speaking to the assembled governors, Governor Riley said that before Virtual Alabama was created, visual mapping of the state was done by several different agencies and that the data was usually not shared. “Virtual Alabama was implemented across my state in just 16 months time, allowing for a common operating picture that first responders, county planners and others can use to obtain information during disasters, catastrophic events and day-to-day operations,” Governor Riley said. • Michael T. Jones, Chief Technology Officer for Google Earth, said, “It’s an honor to be recognized by the National Governors Association for our partnership with Governor Riley and the state of Alabama. Even more important, we are glad that Virtual Alabama has equipped first responders across Alabama with easy access to geospatial data that helps them safeguard the citizens of Alabama.” • Jones said the project has “put Alabama first as far as Google is concerned in technology.”

5. In June 2004, the Governor’s Office on National and Community Service, established in 1993, was renamed in Executive Order #21, the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives  to reflect the expanded responsibilities of the office. The mission of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is: “To build the capacity of individuals and organizations that serve and transform the communities in which they live.” The Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives works to increase: (1) an ethic of service and volunteerism in the State of Alabama, (2) the capacity of faith-based and community organizations within the state to better compete for funding opportunities and (3) the collaboration among the people and organizations that are trying to meet the greatest needs of our state. "I believe one of the most effective ways government can help those in need is to help charities, faith-based organizations and community groups that are working every day to transform lives with acts of compassion. Government must stand with them and be on their side as they reach out to hurting neighbors in desperate need of our help.”      - Governor Bob Riley Excerpts taken from www.servealabama.gov Complete Message on Governor Riley's Website at www.servealabama.gov

6. Mobile County Emergency Management AgencyCity & Town PartnersCity of Mobile Mayor Samuel L. JonesCity of Prichard Mayor Ron Davis Saraland Mayor Ken Williams City ofChickasaw Mayor Jim Trout Town of Mount Vernon Mayor Cleon Bolden City ofSatsuma Mayor William Bush Citronelle Mayor Michael Waltman Town of Dauphin Island Mayor Jeffery Collier Bayou La Batre Mayor Stan WrightTown of Creola Mayor Donald NelsonMobile County CommissionMerceria L. Ludgood, Stephen Nodine, Mike Dean

7. Mobile County EMA and The Independent Living Center of Mobile Utilized ABRAHAMS GROUP 5C’sof the new “Civil Defense” and Core Constituency Buildingto Successfully Implement an Action Plan To Better Prepare It’s Vulnerable Citizenry to Mitigate Loss of Life and Economic Hardship During an Impending CrisisCommunityCommon Purpose Collaboration CooperationCommunication

8. ABRAHAMS Communication Model • Recognizes that outreach, education and relationship building is necessary in order for the model to work optimally • Focuses first on understanding different receiver needs and response mechanisms • Incorporates feedback mechanisms to measure model effectiveness by testing responses prior to catastrophic events • The ABRAHAMS Communication Model has been tested and is in use in Mobile, AL

9. With the use of the ABRAHAMS GROUP Communication Model Mobile County Emergency Management Agency successfully leveraged their local leadership, social networks and social capital to create an evacuation registry for vulnerable populations

10. It is the responsibility of everyone to provide for the safety of one's own and one's family in a disaster. This registry is intended for those who have no resources to evacuate on their own and need assistance getting to a shelter. Transportation will only be provided to designated community shelters. At this time, we cannot provide transportation for pets with the exception of service animals. Only those individuals who meet the criteria set by the Alabama Department of Public Health and who are accompanied by one caregiver will be admitted to a Medical Needs Shelter. All others will go to a general population shelter. All evacuees must comply with the requirements of the shelters as determined by the Mobile County Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross. This program is designed for those who have special physical/medical needs and may require government evacuation/shelter assistance in the event of an emergency. The program requires you to enroll annually. If you wish to enroll online, start by clicking the red "Begin Registration" button below. If you would rather fill out and mail in your application, click here to download the application.Note: Transportation is not provided to residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities. ***Please discuss with your facility staff their plans for your safety in an emergency.

11. Hurricane Tips • Hurricane Tips • Be Aware and Be Prepared For All Potential Emergencies • Evacuation Routes Mobile County: I-65 North, Highway 43 North, Highway 45 North Dauphin Island take Highway 193 Bayou La Batre and Grand Bay take Highway 188 or C.R. 19 to I-10 East to I-65 North Mobile Bay at Alabama Port take Highway 193 North Saraland and Satsuma area can use Highway 43 North or I-65. • Planning Study the map and the evacuation routes. Plan out which roads you are going to take before the hurricane season. Make reservations for motels early or have other plans for lodging. Plan on leaving early due to congested traffic. When Evacuating – Leave 24 to 36 hours before gale force winds are expected to hit. Bring things indoors Look for potential hazards Leave natural gas on Turn off propane gas service If high winds are expected, cover the outside of all windows of your home. • Important Papers to Take With You: • Driver’s license or personal identification • Social Security card • Proof of residence (deed or lease) • Insurance policies • Birth and marriage certificates • Stocks, bonds, and other negotiable certificates • Wills, deeds, and copies of recent tax returns • Special Needs EvacuationIndividuals in need of transportation to shelters should listen to local radio and TV for pick-up locations and times of pick-up. Transportation will be provided to a designated shelter. After the storm or disaster has passed, return transportation will be provided. Persons with disabilities and caregivers should allow extra time in planning and evacuating.

12. FAQS City of Mobile City of Prichard City of Saraland Town of Dauphin Island City of Citronelle City of Bayou La Batre Town of Mount Vernon City of Chickasaw City of Satsuma Town of Creola County of Mobile The above brochure is available in English, Laotian, Cambodian, Khmer, Vietnamese and Spanish

13. Mobile County Resources Links and Resources Be Aware and Be Prepared For All Potential Emergencies For more information, visit the following web sites: • Mobile County Emergency Management Agency • Alabama Faith-Based Community Initiatives • Disaster Unemployment Assistance Claims • National Flood Insurance Program • Charitable agencies recommended by FEMA • Corporate Lodging Consultants • FirstGovAlabama Public Assistance • www.areyoureadygoema.com • www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/index.shtm • www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml • www.redcross.org/news/ds/0305hurricane/ • www.hhs.gov/news/facts/hurricane.html • www.tuscaloosachamber.com/tuscaloosa/hurricaneinfo.php#agencies

14. December 2007The City of Mobile LaunchedConnect CTYa NTI GROUPMass Notification System

15. Outreach=Positive Outcome • Development of the Special Needs Registry • Implementation of a Mass Notification System to reach ~400,000 • Planning of Emergency Zones • Increased Involvement with Local & Faith-Based Community Groups • Current Policy Change and Enactment of New Policy Leading to Increased Cross Collaboration with Alabama’s State Officials and Agencies, County Social Service Agencies and County Public Health Officials • Future Update of the Army Corps of Engineers Flood Maps • Educating the Public on NOAA products e.g., NOAA Weather Radio http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/specialneeds.html • Sharing Information on Preparedness Resources and Literature from Homeland Security, FEMA & HHS

16. “Homeland Security Begins…AT HOME” "In this new normal, with the possibility of terrorist attacks, natural disasters and industrial accidents, we need to create a culture of preparedness like we had in the 1960’s." Lt. General Russell L. Honore’ Mount Olive Baptist Church Arlington, Virginia February 28, 2008

17. Nameless Faces & Heroic Deeds ** EDS NOTE GRAPHIC CONTENT ** fema/illinoisphoto.com Hurricane survivors who were rescued. Gallery Owner. www.KatrinaDestruction.com

18. Lest We ForgetLest We ForgetLet Not Her Life-And Others-Be In VainWe must ask ourselves the question:What are we planning and how are we going to use our knowledge and experience in our respective workplaces, states, counties, cities, communities, schools and churchesto strengthen our Civilian Preparedness so that the most vulnerable populations with the least coping ability will not have this fate in our land of the free and home of the brave ? ** EDS NOTE GRAPHIC CONTENT ** The remains of an unidentified woman, victim of Hurricane Katrina, is seen decomposing in a wheelchair Sept. 10, 2005, in St. Bernard Parish, La. The hurricane hit the region on August 29 causing numerous deaths and severe property damage. (AP Photo/Mandatory Credit:Ron Haviv/VII). Creation Date 09/10/2005 03:11:15. Submit Date 09/19/2005 13:59:45.