FEMA is seeking feedback on the draft document Planning Considerations: Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place. Feedback and recommendations received help ensure the final version of the guide is an effective resource for emergency managers across the nation.
Evacuation and shelter-in-place protective actions are prompted by a variety of threats and hazards. Incident-specific circumstances drive the relevant protective actions based on a community’s demographics, infrastructure, resources, authorities, and decision-making process. Determining that evacuation needs to take place is not an all-or-nothing approach. Lessons learned from disasters, such as hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Katrina and Maria, have highlighted the value of enacting a zone-phased approach to evacuation and shelter-in-place, enabling jurisdictions to move as few people as necessary. Sheltering-in-place populations that are not directly in harm's way, rather than having them evacuate, helps jurisdictions reduce costs, resource requirements, and the negative impacts of evacuations, while promoting improved response and quicker re-entry and recovery.
As you review the document, consider:
- Identifying areas that may be confusing and need revision;
- Providing success stories or best practices associated with the critical considerations identified in the document; and
- Identifying additional job aides, training opportunities, or resources for inclusion in the document.
The comment matrix below can be used to capture any recommendations. Please provide any comments, input, or recommendations by 5 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2018. Email feedback to NPD-Planning@fema.dhs.gov. Comment matrix.
Engagement Period Webinars
- FEMA is hosting a series of 45-minute engagement webinars to describe the draft document and answer participants’ questions about providing feedback. Webinars are geared toward the whole community, including individuals and communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and all governments (state, local, tribal, and territorial, as well as federal agencies).
- Advance registration is required and on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, click on your preferred webinar session from the list below.
- Webinar 1: Tuesday, August 21, 1:00 p.m. EDT
Register at: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/evac-webinar1/event/registration.html
- Webinar 2: Thursday, August 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT
Register at: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/evac-webinar2/event/registration.html
- Webinar 3: Wednesday, August 29, 4:00 p.m. EDT
Register at: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/evac-webinar3/event/registration.html
If you require assistive accommodations to participate in these events, please provide details in the Disability Related Accommodations field on the registration page or contact us at: NPD-Planning@fema.dhs.gov.
Comments made during the webinars are for discussion purposes only. FEMA will only formally adjudicate comments submitted via the provided feedback form. To provide input, download the drafts and feedback matrix, then submit the completed feedback form to NPD-Planning@fema.dhs.gov.
This National Engagement Period begins August 9, 2018 and will conclude at 5 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2018. National engagement provides interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the drafts to ensure that the documents reflect the collective expertise and experience of the whole community.
Released by the Federnal Emergency Management Agency. Click here for source.