Thread by @NatSecAnswers

QUESTION: How will authorities prepare for and deal with other disasters that occur during the #COVID19 pandemic? What's most important? We asked @RealBobJ, Bob Jensen. Follow this thread for the answer.

ANSWER: With the start of #HurricaneSeason on June 1, and a higher than normal season predicted by
@NWSNHC, Emergency Managers (EMs) have already been looking at their preparedness and
response plans to review key elements. bit.ly/2WOtrK7

Just yesterday @fema released an operational guide to help EMs and public health officials prepare
and plan for hurricanes while still handling #COVID19.
EMs will be reviewing many critical elements of their operations including:

a) staffing to see how it has
and could be affected by COVID-19; b) existing risks and hazards to see how a hurricane might
impact them and to plan how they would response to an incident;

c) evacuation plans to see what modifications are needed and how to allow more time for the
evacuation of vulnerable populations such as residents of assisted care facilities, the disabled and
those without transportation;

d) shelter status and how/if they can be modified to help prevent the spread of the virus and if there
are alternate locations for sheltering such as hotels, dorms or larger facilities; and e) commodity and
emergency supply levels.

Many are concerned about the safety of shelters. @RedCross issued new guidelines based on
@CDCgov guidance and best practices for operating shelters in areas impacted by COVID-19.
bit.ly/3g9JDx9

These are just a few of the many things that will be reviewed at the federal, state and local level.
Businesses, schools, hospitals and other organizations should also be reviewing their plans and
preparations for hurricane season and how COVID-19 may impact their response.

More about Bob Jensen here: linkedin.com/in/bobjensenst…

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