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Pharmacist's Role in Disaster Response

The document outlines Dwayne Meadows' background in conservation ecology and disaster response work. It discusses FEMA's Surge Capacity Force, which was inadequately prepared and deployed late in response to hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017. Meadows then describes issues facing Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane Maria, including depleted resources, overwhelmed local responders, lack of preparation, logistical challenges, and more. The document also notes resiliency factors for Puerto Rico and lessons learned.

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TommyCasillas-Gerena
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31 views15 pages

Pharmacist's Role in Disaster Response

The document outlines Dwayne Meadows' background in conservation ecology and disaster response work. It discusses FEMA's Surge Capacity Force, which was inadequately prepared and deployed late in response to hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017. Meadows then describes issues facing Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane Maria, including depleted resources, overwhelmed local responders, lack of preparation, logistical challenges, and more. The document also notes resiliency factors for Puerto Rico and lessons learned.

Uploaded by

TommyCasillas-Gerena
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Dwayne Meadows, Ph.D.

[Link]@[Link]
Outline
 My Background
 FEMA Surge Capacity Force
 Puerto Rico
• Issues
• Resiliency Factors
• Lessons
My Background
 Conservation Ecologist
 Work on Coral Reef Restoration and Marine
Debris from storms, oil spills, tsunamis
 Tsunami advisor: Hawaii Civil Defense, NOAA
 First Responder
 Survivor
FEMA’s Surge Capacity Force
 From Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act
• deploy Federal employees to help “rapidly” respond to
disasters and acts of terrorism
• “Ensure…a sufficient number…
• “appropriate and continuous training”
 FEMA failed to implement the program
• Government Accountability Office warns in 2008, 2015 for
inadeqaute staff (26%), training, recruiting, outcomes
• 2016-2020 Human Capital Plan not even mention SCF
2017 Activation
 Harvey August 26th, Irma Sept 6, Maria Sept 20th
 SCF Activated August 28th (DHS), Sept. 12 (other Feds)
 Ultimately ~5000 Feds (supposed to have 15,400 ready!)
 I deployed Oct 2 for 4 training days. then to Puerto Rico

Lines, lines,
everywhere a line
Title and Content Layout with List
 Click to edit Master text styles
• Second level 26 Sept 11 Oct
 Cellular Antennas
• Third level 8% 21%
• Fourth level
 Open Pharmacies ~30% ~80%
• Fifth level
 Refugees 10.2K 5.6K
 Water Service 37% 60%
 Electric Generation** 5% 16%
My Deployment: Disaster Survivor Assistance
Always Crowds
for FEMA aid
Issues
 Last of 3 storms: depleted resources
 Local/Commonwealth first responders
overwhelmed - Bankrupt finances
 Underprepared
• FEMA Stockpiles sent to USVI for Irma,
few local stocks
• Only tested CAT 1 plans
• Little sub-city organization
• Rural Addressing
Issues
 An Island surrounded by BIG water!
• Transport and lodging logistics
• Aid, responders, evacuation, survivors
Issues
 Little Comms:
 FEMA iPads useless
• resurrect old FEMA paper forms
• [Link] offline GIS maps (support removed)
 Pollution and Disease
Issues
 Territorial FEMA
• many spare staff not shared as needed across groups
• >1 month to open ANY disaster centers
Issues
 First Responder Safety
 Special Needs Communities
 Health care facilities
Resiliency Factors
 Strong social bonds: family, long-term
neighbors, etc
 Collaborative, optimistic spirit
 Dedicated visitors
 Diaspora
Lessons
 Politicization of Response and Aid
• Federal AND Local
 Redundancy at ALL levels
 There are no lanes: resiliency ACROSS levels
 Local and Neighborhood Organization
 Decentralize
 Mental Health
 Special Needs

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