Watch On-Demand Webcast from Monday, December 10, 2012

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND

"We saw neighbors helping neighbors, saving lives, all up and down the coast." 2
- Richard Serino

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, this Forum event explored how people and cities rebound from devastating natural disasters and how they prepare for new catastrophes. With millions of people living in coastal cities, coupled with changing weather patterns, natural disasters present significant public health and policy implications -- from managing crises, to safeguarding infrastructure, to bolstering and leveraging the resilience of people and cities. This Forum event was presented in collaboration with The Huffington Post.

Background

NPLI Responds to Sandy: National Preparedness Leadership Initiative
Hurricane Sandy Response: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Hospital Evacuation Planning: Preparing Hospitals for Disasters: E-PREP

Photo © © Getty Images/Mario Tama

Deepak Dhungel Dec 9, 2012 at 9:00 PM

Let us also share about our knowledge, ideas and preparedness also on other issues to make sure that the larger agenda of climate change is also dealt which will automatically include Sandy and others.

Daniel Kauffman Dec 8, 2012 at 12:19 AM

Should residents of coastal areas consider long-term relocation plans away from coastal areas?

Christina Roache Dec 7, 2012 at 3:20 PM

EMAIL RECEIVED FROM ONLINE AUDIENCE MEMBER
Due to the recent events of Hurricane Sandy four questions came to mind:

Firstly, how does mitigation, preparedness, and response activities impact the recovery phase of an emergency. Can you also please provide examples.
Secondly, What is the difference between locally based, regionally based and nationally based structures for disaster management -- with examples.
Thirdly, How can we compare mitigation and preparedness activities with examples. What are the advantages and shortcomings of both?
Lastly, Why do you think coordination of recovery efforts is so important? What kinds of things could go wrong in the absence of strong coordination mechanisms?

Christina Roache Dec 7, 2012 at 3:19 PM

EMAIL RECEIVED FROM ONLINE AUDIENCE MEMBER
Should we have a plan on how to secure hospitals and the people who leave the community [during and after disasters]?

Big Weather and Coastal Cities

Moderator

Tom Zeller, Jr. - Senior Writer, The Huffington Post

Expert Participants

Richard Serino - Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Alumnus, National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, Harvard Schools of Public Health and Government
Paul Biddinger - Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response Exercise Program, Harvard School of Public Health, and Chief, Division of Emergency Preparedness, Massachusetts General Hospital
Jerold Kayden - Professor of Urban Planning and Design, Harvard Graduate School of Design
Daniel Schrag - Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering, Harvard University, and Director of the Harvard University Center for the Environment