Emergency Response IT Community Resources for Natural Disasters

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Emergency Response IT Community Resources for Natural Disasters

If you are looking to assist local organizations in restoring essential services and ensuring continuity for their constituents, see the below resources on ways you can help the most. Reach out to EmergencyResponse@tdsynnex.com for more information or with inquiries.

Disaster Recovery Information

 

Milton Resources
Helene Resources
General Resources

Disaster Recovery Information

Funding for Emergency Response and Recovery

In advance of a disaster, as well as in the aftermath of catastrophic events, FEMA offers grant funds to eligible state and local agencies, tribes and territories, some non-profits, and higher education entities.

Search for funding by type of disaster and find information that will allow customers to prepare for disasters, remain resilient against, as well as mitigate various disasters. Descriptive language that includes terms like recovery, research, and planning enable creative opportunities to include technology.  Guidelines, fact sheets and opportunities to join online trainings for more information about procurement can be found on the FEMA website: FEMA Grants | FEMA.gov

Get to know PREPAREDNESS GRANTS

  • Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG): A suite of programs aimed at training, equipment, and more. Includes AFG, FP&S, and SAFER grants.

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters

  • Emergency Management Baseline Assessment Grant Program (EMBAG)

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/emergency-management-baseline-assessment-grant

  • Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/emergency-management-performance

  • Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/emergency-operations-center

  • Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP): Includes SHSP, UASI, and OPSG grant programs.

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/homeland-security

  • Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP)

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/intercity-bus-security

  • Intercity Passenger Rail – Amtrak Program

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/intercity-passenger-rail

  • National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program’s (NEHRP) State Assistance Program

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/earthquake/nehrp

  • Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/nonprofit-security

  • Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/port-security

  • Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP)

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/regional-catastrophic

  • State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)

https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/grants/state-and-local-cybersecurity-grant-program

  • Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP)

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/transit-security

  • Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP)

https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/grants/tribal-cybersecurity-grant-program

  • Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP)

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/tribal-homeland-security


Get to know Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA)
https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation


Get to Know National Dam Safety Program State Assistance:

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/dam-safety


Get to Know National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) State Assistance Grant Program:

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/earthquake/nehrp


Get to Know Next Generation Warning System Grant:
https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/next-generation-warning


Preparation and Initial Response: Role of Technology Solutions

  • Based on lessons learned through Hurricane Katrina, Today’s Operational Readiness is more robust and multi-jurisdictional for effective emergency management and response.
  • Three phases of Emergency Management: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
  • Preparedness: Local, State, and Federal Authorities in all Hurricane prone areas nationwide meet and conduct exercises for operational readiness.
  • Response: Mobilization of personnel and assets - In this operational readiness phase, assets have been identified for deployment through pre-planned partnerships as responders monitor and plan for full activation.
  • Local, State, and Federal Authorities in all Hurricane prone areas meet and conduct exercises for operational readiness.
  • Assets include ATT First Net and Verizon trucks, vehicles, pop-up network briefcases, Satellites, etc. are pre-stationed in the area upon notification of incoming storm and move in for instant deployment and connectivity following departure of the storm moving through when the plan switches to recovery mode.
  • In this operational readiness, assets are deployed through pre-planned partnerships.
  • Other supporting vendors are involved in the asset deployment response level of the Emergency Operation Plan with hardware transported and disbursed through trucks.
  • In the recovery mode, the reimbursement for State and Local Government is a longer-term process.
  • Each entity (State, County, City) assesses their damage and developments a worksheet for reimbursement to be submitted through their Emergency Management Director to FEMA.


Recovery Mode and FEMA Reporting

  • Recovery: Reestablish Basic Infrastructure - In the recovery mode, the reimbursement for State and Local Government is a longer-term process.
  • FEMA Reporting: Each entity (State, County, City) assesses their damage and developments a worksheet for reimbursement to be submitted through their Emergency Management Director to FEMA.
  • The Emergency Management Director for a City is the Fire Chief. For Counties, Emergency Management Directors are located under the Sheriff or in a separate entity entitles the Emergency Management Office reporting to the County Manager.
  • It is the Director that drafts the budget worksheet for reimbursement developed from a City or County wide team and approved by City or County Manager through signature for final submission.
  • This reimbursement worksheet includes manpower hours, technology, infrastructure, etc.
  • Following recovery and reimbursement modes, the Emergency Management Director leads an after-action SWOT analysis in developing enhancements which include technology purchase and integration for heightened future operational readiness.


Emergency Response for Schools

Schools will use most of the same resources that state and local entities will use to recover. All schools must maintain a disaster recovery plan that meet state guidelines that includes acts of nature. Their largest concerns are accounting for their students, getting the learning process up and running as quickly as possible and schools back in working order. Their priorities will be as follows (not necessarily in this order):

  1. Establish a command center at district office (if operable) where they will work with city or county officials and district personnel.
  2. Fail over to district disaster recovery plan.
  3. Bring in any emergency resources or technology resources necessary for communication.
  4. Start a damage assessment across schools in the district.
  5. Activate all Operations and IT personnel to start the recovery process.
  6. Request city, county or state resources as needed for recovery.
  7. Communicate with parents about school closures.
  8. Identify any students that have been impacted by the disaster and be prepared to deploy any necessary resources that those students may need (meals, technology that may have been lost, social services, etc.).
  9. Fail over to district disaster recovery learning plan.
  10. In the state of disaster, districts will allocate any funds necessary in the short term to start the recovery process. They would be reimbursed by any emergency funds once made available.

Milton Resources

If you are looking to assist local organizations in restoring essential services and ensuring continuity for their constituents, see the below resources on ways you can help the most.

Here is a list of companies holding FEMA Advanced Contracts. Highlighted in yellow are companies with offices or assets in Florida.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)


American Red Cross


Government and Other Resources

(For the latest updates in your area, please visit your city, county, or state website and check your local weather.)


Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery


Flood Preparedness and Recovery

Helene Resources

The recovery effort for Hurricane Helene is expected to take several weeks, if not months. Below are resources that may be able to assist you. If you are looking to assist local organizations in restoring essential services and ensuring continuity for their constituents, see the below resources on ways you can help the most.

Here is a list of companies holding FEMA Advanced Contracts. Highlighted in yellow are companies with offices or assets in Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.

Hurricane Helene Resources

Hurricane Helene Resources and Info Alabama

Hurricane Helene Resources and Info Florida

Hurricane Helene Resources and Info Georgia

Hurricane Helene Resources and Info South Carolina

Hurricane Helene Resources and Info Western North Carolina

General Resources


Disaster Relief Resources and Information

In the event of a natural disaster or emergency, use the following resources to stay informed, find help, and ensure you and your loved ones are prepared.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)


American Red Cross


Government and Local Resources

  • 2-1-1 Assistance: 2-1-1 (Phone assistance: dial 2-1-1 for help with clothing, food, and resources for your family, available 24/7)
  • Alert Systems (Sign up for local alerts in your area for natural disasters, evacuations, and more.)
  • Emergency Information | Florida Department of Health (For public health needs and severe weather conditions.)
  • Florida 511 (For traffic conditions and incident information.)
  • Find Your Local Emergency Management Agency (Locate local disaster resources and assistance near you.)


Preparedness and Recovery

  • Ready.gov (Comprehensive guide on disaster preparedness for individuals and families.)
  • Emergency Preparedness | CDC (Public health tips on preparing for natural disasters.)
  • Pet Disaster Preparedness (Ensure your pets are safe and prepared in the event of a disaster.)
  • National Weather Service Emergency Alerts (Check for real-time weather warnings, watches, and alerts.)
  • Preparing for Any Emergency | American Red Cross


Flood Preparedness and Recovery


Wildfire Preparedness and Recovery

  • Wildfire Safety | Ready.gov
  • Wildfire Preparedness | American Red Cross
  • Wildfire Smoke | CDC (Protect yourself from the health impacts of wildfire smoke.)


Earthquake Preparedness and Recovery


Mental Health Resources

  • Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) (Provides immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.)
  • Red Cross Emotional Health Resources (Support for recovering emotionally after a disaster.)
  • CDC Mental Health and Coping (Tips on coping with stress during and after disasters.)


Shelter and Recovery Services