Discuss why existing I&R software products are practically unusable during the acute phase of a disaster Explore specific community related experiences throughout recent disasters Attain the knowledge and means to effectively plan to capture and disseminate information during future disasters.

Hurricanes Katrina & Rita, 2005 San Diego Wildfires, 2007 Cedar Rapids Flooding, Summer 2008 Hurricanes Gustav & Ike, Fall 2008

Earliest Disaster Information System

Writing on the Big Board

Not using their standard I&R software product Using paper call sheets Had created and were updating a Word- generated directory which was disseminated to call agents and volunteers multiple times a day

Word-generated directory made available in electronic format via website Using paper call sheets until their standard I&R vendor product was brought back on line Premature. All resources in the region dumped into a single interface. Not designed to deal with a disaster. No satisfactory Disaster Information System solution discovered.

Not using their standard I&R software product Using paper call sheets Had created and were updating a Word- generated directory which was disseminated to call agents and volunteers multiple times a day

Shelters Evacuation UpdatesDRCs Resources

Intake Reports

Shelter Information Evacuation Areas Repopulation Zones Disaster-Related Updates Disaster Recovery Centers (aka Local Assistance Centers) Disaster-Related Resources Simple Intake Sheets Reports

Not using their standard I&R software product—500 agency locations flooded and out of service Had created and were updating a Word directory which was disseminated to call agents and volunteers multiple times a day Using paper call sheets Near the end of the acute phase of the disaster, but still receiving mostly disaster-related calls.

Modified original Disaster Information System interface to fit Cedar Rapids’ needs Entered in all data from Word directory to interface Troubleshot and trained volunteers 10,000 plus call sheets back entered by the time DRT deployment was done.

More Coordination between Regions LA Coordinating Council LA Association of United Ways Acting as our Fiduciary Agent between LA and DSS Implementation of a Statewide Voice Over IP Hosted Phone System

2-1-1 Named by DSS and Governor’s Office as “go to number” for Evacuation and Shelter Info Plans made for Regions to Switch to Disaster Information System Interface Single Point of Contact for Coordination Between Regions and State Government Twice Daily LA Conference Calls Between All Partners

Governor Bobby Jindal Repeatedly Mentions as THE Number to Call Directly Receiving Updates and Resources and Shelter Info from DSS and GOHSEP Receiving Specific Scripts from State Tested Constantly by State Officials

Started Pre-Disaster with Only 3 of Regions on New VOIP Phone System Logistics Complex Required Long Days of Work Largest Evacuation in LA History Back to Back Storms Prolonged Acute Phase of Disaster

Call Data as of September 28, 2008  To ensure that calls were answered most effectively, as of 8/30 calls from Monroe and New Orleans went through the Shreveport phone system. Call Data as of September 28, 2008  To ensure that calls were answered most effectively, as of 8/30 calls from Monroe and New Orleans went through the Shreveport phone system. Call Volume to 211 – By Week and Location Hurricanes Gustav and Ike 140,455 Total Calls Answered (8/28-9/28/08)

“Her electricity had not yet been restored to her home and she was running low on food. To make matters worse, her roof had been damaged and there was extensive water damage to her home,” said a volunteer. “We were able to find a shelter close to her home, arrange transportation for her and her children, and got her registered with FEMA for financial reimbursement. She couldn’t thank us enough.” She Couldn’t Thank Us Enough