CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

MAYOR RICK BLANGIARDI

Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4

Molly Pierce

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June 19, 2024

Topics

• Overview of emergency management at Federal, State, and County levels
• Personal and family disaster preparedness
• Q&A

PROXIMITY TO ASSISTANCE

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Emergency preparedness, response and recovery involves everyone in the community, not just government

More Than Just One Agency

ROLE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES

Emergency management creates the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters.

Emergency management agencies exist to lead the coordination and connect resources within their jurisdiction.

• Conveners of the whole community
• Coordinators, NOT OWNERS, of resources
• Credible sources of information about what can happen, what is happening, what has happened

Emergency Management in Hawai‘i – Big Picture

Governor

State of Hawai‘i

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency

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Incident Management�INCIDENT PHASES�

Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, Property Preservation

Public Alert and Warning

Rapid Assessments

Search & Rescue

Evacuations and Sheltering

Debris Clearance

Protective Actions

*Activation of federal aid

Life Sustaining Services & Lifeline Restoration

Sheltering, Feeding, Commodity Distribution

Damage Assessment

Restoration of Essential Services and Critical Infrastructure

Debris Removal & Disposal

Temporary Housing

*Delivery of federal aid

Return to New Normal

*Federal long-term recovery programs

Permanent housing

Economic recovery

Permanent Repair & Restoration

Shelter Types - Hurricane

Last resort to ride out a hurricane

Place to stay for people displaced by a disaster

Hours to Days

Days to Weeks

Specific areas of that have been evaluated to determine the level of protection and risk

Opened in facilities with large open spaces that can accommodate a large number of people in a central area

Evacuees and shelter workers should expect austere conditions and bring their own food and basic necessities.

Supplied with limited basic necessities.

Services may be provided to help residents address disaster caused needs and access recovery resources.

10 square feet/person

40 square feet/person

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Best Available Refuge Areas (BARAs)

• Buildings that may not meet “shelter” criteria

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• Areas deemed by registered professionals to be least vulnerable to hurricane damage.

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• May be used during a hurricane with risk.

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www.honolulu.gov/hurricaneevac

• 38 potential sites

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• Conditions of the event will determine how which shelter locations will open.

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• Locations will be broadcast over TV, radio, official social media, and the map page.

Hurricane Refuge Area Map

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

• Residential and business damage can be reported.

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• Helps to determine if the City qualifies for federal recovery funds.

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• In a major event, teams will go out into the community to assist with damage assessments.

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE: DEBRIS CLEARANCE

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• Clearance (debris pushed to side of roadway) of at least one lane identified roads to provide access for emergency responders.
• Only remove disaster debris that presents an immediate threat to human health or safety

SHORT TERM RECOVERY: DEBRIS COLLECTION AND REMOVAL

WHAT CAN THE PUBLIC DO NOW?

Make a Plan

Build a Kit

Stay Informed

MAKE A PLAN:

•Know your hazards! What can affect you?

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•Do you need to evacuate?

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•How will you keep in touch with your family?

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•Do you have an off-island contact?

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•How will you reunite with your family?

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•What special considerations do you need to take into account (pets, keiki, kupuna, disabilities and other unique needs)?

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•Does your insurance cover the hazards that affect you?

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Can you shelter in place?

• It depends on where you live and what kind of home you live in.

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• If you can, retrofit your home to be able to withstand hurricane-force winds.

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• Visit Honolulu.gov/dem/hurricane to learn about actions you can take before a storm to help protect your home.

PREPAREDNESS: KNOW YOUR HURRICANE REFUGE SITE LOCATIONS

If your hurricane preparedness plan calls for evacuation, know the locations of the Hurricane Refuge Areas closest to where you live.

Hurricane Refuge Area Map

NOTE: Know your Hurricane Refuge Area locations but confirm which are open before evacuating. Depending on the intensity and direction of a Tropical Cyclone only some or all may open. Shelter locations and opening times will be broadcast over TV, radio, official social media and on this map.

www.honolulu.gov/hurricaneevac

If your tsunami preparedness plan calls for evacuation, know your zones:

Oahu Tsunami Evacuation Map

www.honolulu.gov/tsunamievac

NOTE: Emergency shelters will not open prior to tsunami impact. Time permitting, the City will identify Public Assembly Areas, to provide an outdoor area and access to restrooms for those without other options

Know Your Tsunami Zones

STAY INFORMED

• Local media

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• Official emergency alert & warning systems

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• Official social media accounts

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• Credible sources in your social & professional circles (or become one)

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Emergency Public Alert and Warning Systems

There are three main ways emergency information is delivered to the public. They may be used in combination with each other depending on the severity of the threat.

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

MAHALO!

Department of Emergency Management

www.honolulu.gov/dem