Disaster Assistance - Being Prepared

1. AIA/MS AIA/MSDisasterPreparedness: AIA/Mississippi Is your Component Ready?

2. Disaster statistics:Is Your Component Ready? There were 63 natural disasters declared in the U.S. in 2007 There were 2,018 fatalities and 5,326 injuries related to weather events from 2005 to 2006 Of the total catastrophe losses (from 1986 to 2005) in the U.S., 47.5% were related to hurricanes and tropical storms. At least 41 states are considered at moderate to very high earthquake risk On average, there are 800 tornadoes each year in the U.S. Tornadoes have occurred in all 48 continental states. AIA/Mississippi

3. Hurricane KatrinaMonday - August 29, 2005 AIA/Mississippi

4. LANDFALLBay St. Louis, MS AIA/Mississippi

5. First Baptist ChurchGulfport, MS AIA/Mississippi

6. Apartment ComplexGulfport, MS AIA/Mississippi

7. Long Beach, MSNeighborhood Aerial AIA/Mississippi

8. How AIA/MS responded: Request for assistance AIA/MS Board organized training Assistance from AIA National and regional AIA architects ½ day classroom training ½ day site visit – to a damaged property AIA/Mississippi

9. Results: Over 150 architects responded TX, CA, LA, AL, etc. Over 75 MS architects Approximately 800 assessments provided 2,000+ request for assessments Organized through AIA National Coordinated through AIA/MS AIA/Mississippi

10. Lesson’s Learned: We were not proactive, only reactive. What can we do to be better prepared in the future: Assessment training before the need arises Better organized; i.e.: supplies and materials on hand, having maps available. Having a “pool” of trained architects ready to provide assistance and safety assessments. AIA/Mississippi

11. Lesson’s learned: Ann Somers, AIA worked to co-author the “AIA Handbook for Disaster Assistance Programs” Ann was the president of AIA/MS at the time Hurricane Katrina hit the MS Gulf Coast. Ann continues to assist in the training and development of architects to respond in the event of a disaster; most recently in Tuscaloosa, AL. AIA/Mississippi

12. The AIA’s ComprehensiveResponse System When disasters occur, we typically speak of three phases: Emergency Relief Recovery In order to sustain an efficient response, Disaster Preparedness must be at the center of operation AIA/Mississippi

13. What is it? AIA’s systematic approach to provide assistance following a disaster. Establishment of a standard in response to safety assessments. Recommended guidelines for component use in development of a state wide Damage Assessment program. AIA/Mississippi

14. Why Architects? Established knowledge base from the educational requirements, hands-on training and work experience. Additional training opportunities through continuing education requirements Disaster specific training: local, regional and national “Hands-on” experience gained from Hurricanes Katrina/Rita and the recent tornados in Smithville, MS and Tuscaloosa, AL AIA/Mississippi

15. Implementation: AIA/MS activated upon request for assistance from MEMA for a declared disaster. Allows AIA/MS to work as ‘reservist’s”. Notification to AIA/MS office and to the State Safety Assessment Coordinator Notification to the State Regional Safety Assessment coordinators. Request for assistance from AIA/MS and regionally as needed. AIA/Mississippi

16. AIA/MS Disaster Preparedness Organization Divide the State into three sections. North, Central and South Identify section leadership. Identify a pool of trained architects that are available to assist AIA/Mississippi

17. What the architects need: Training: AIA Disaster Assessment Program the need for standardized training SAP Training Safety Assessment Program ATC 45 Training MEMA Requirements AIA/Mississippi

18. What the architects need: Field Supplies: Identification badge Safety vest Hardhat Gloves Flashlight Camera Notebook and pencils Placards and permanent markers Damage Assessment reports Street maps Field maps Address maps Aerial maps AIA/Mississippi

19. What can Architects offer: Assessing the safety of damages to the built environment Working in the reconstruction Exploring the standards that guarantee built safety Facilitate long term recovery AIA/Mississippi

20. Response teams: Ideally, two architects Utilize Interns (as allowed) LISTEN Provide assessment – AIA Forms Placards AIA/Mississippi

21. Assessment Placards AIA/Mississippi

22. AIA/Mississippi

23. AIA Mississippi Disaster Assistance Program: Knowing what to do . . . and having the teams ready to do it. “To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity” - D. Adams AIA/Mississippi