The Issue
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy residents and business owners organized an immediate and local response system. Recovery services, such as distributing food, water, and supplies and going door to door to check on vulnerable populations, were provided locally and on a
volunteer basis. This local response supplemented the response by government agencies and organizations such as NYC Office of Emergency Management (NYC OEM), NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Red Cross which provided critical, life-saving support throughout New York City. The local response was an incredible feat and could be strengthened in the future by coordinating local efforts with NYC OEM and other entities prior to an event
and clearly establishing roles and responsibilities for a specific operation.
The Solution
This project funds the creation of a network of relief centers to house the coordination of post-disaster relief services, such as food, water, power, medical services, and information. The project will provide funding to existing community facilities and organizations for building hardening, on-site capital improvements, and initial staffing costs. The network would provide both physical and informational resources in the wake of a disaster, and facilitate disaster preparedness coordination across community based organizations (CBOs) in advance of an event.
RRH Action
Funded through the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery NY Rising process, certain Red Hook facilities are receiving engineering, and resilience rebuilding in order to ensure that they are prepared for the next event. The NYCHA Miccio Center and Adabo Clinic are two that have received back up generators, and flood gates.
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