1) What is meant by an “all hazards approach” to preparedness?

“All Hazards Approach” means being prepared for all events that could be considered a disaster instead of training for one specific disaster such as a hurricane or an earthquake. This approach is currently being advocated since most disasters have similar needs therefore the training can be nonspecific and still successful such as:
-Interorganizational coordination (churches, social groups)
-resource management (funding needs which typically exceed what is at hand, donations – government, Red Cross, fundraisers, celebrities, philanthropy)
-warnings and evacuation (public typically doesn’t feel the risk is as severe as they can be; mandate evacuations)
-search and rescue (people are dispersed, hurt, injured and need to be taken to medical facilities; federal resources are very important – coast guard)
-working with the media (can be a very good resource for getting the word out)
-triage and casualty distribution (need to be agent specific as to what type of disaster we’re dealing with)
-patient care and infrastructure
-patient and refugee tracking (note cards, internet, media)
-management of volunteers and donations (need to give people specific assignments – cooking, cleanup, security) or you’ll have duplication of effort and frustration
-Organized improvisation

2) What is meant by “organized improvisation”?

“Organized improvisation” means being ready to do whatever, whenever. We have to be creative when working in a disaster. 3) How did Katrina response and preparedness differ from Sandy?

Katrina response:
Overall, there was mismanagement and lack of preparedness from the government (local, state, and federal). There was a delay in the response to flooding. FEMA, federal money and big organizations came and left (they only stayed 30-60 days). Volunteer organizations stayed for the long term and set up Internet cafes, mobile hospital, kitchens, house identification system. Relief efforts by the government were slow and it was blamed on the fact that affected areas were poor. National Guard units were short staffed. As far as preparedness, many people were unable to evacuate on their own because they did not have private mobility. The mandatory evacuation made no provisions to evacuate homeless, low-income, carless individuals, sick, or elderly. These people were therefore stranded in the city.

Sandy response:
It is difficult to comment on the full extent of Sandy’s response as efforts need to continue. Initial response is one thing but it is often the continued efforts ‘after the storm’ that matter. The response to Sandy is probably benefited by lessons learned from the response to Katrina. FEMA now has emergency management experience. Supplies reached afflicted areas faster and people had means of evacuating the areas prior to the hurricane. The National Guard moved in the day after the storm to deliver food and water and rescue stranded residents as opposed to being short staffed for Katrina due to duties oversees. The government got involved quickly, early, and effectively and appeared to know what they were doing as opposed to their response to Katrina.