Disaster Workforce Resilience

From the Insights and Reflections: "Throughout the month of October 2020, the Resilient Nation Partnership Network and NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] hosted a four-part series called 'Alliances for Equity,' addressing the various phases of advancing equitable resilience. Thirty-three speakers convened over four weeks to share their perspectives and personal and professional journeys. Nearly 2,200 viewers representing more than 500 organizations across diverse sectors and industries attended the virtual sessions. These conversations were a critical launching point for advancing dialogue and resulted in valuable discussion. A summary of key insights is [included in this document]."

From the Purpose: "A commitment to a workplace free of harassment and discrimination is fundamental to living our core values now and in the future. It is incumbent upon us to understand our employee's lived experiences in the workplace, and build and sustain an environment of professionalism, dignity, and respect. Though these findings are from a survey taken more than two years ago, it is not acceptable that our employees felt this way then, and it is certainly not acceptable now. This is our second version of the 'Culture Improvement Action Plan,' which builds upon Agency accomplishments and achievements since the first reports of harassment and misconduct. While we collectively worked hard, instituted programs, and improved policies that address the very issues identified in the RAND survey, we are committed to continuous improvement. The plan is designed to: [1] Increase employee awareness of RAND survey results[;] [2] Provide transparent communication of workforce culture objectives, programs, and improvements and associated implementation timelines[;] [3] Demonstrate continued leadership commitment to our core values[.]"

From the Executive Summary: "In 2020, communities across the United States experienced compounding threats that required collective action: floods during COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. These 'dual disasters' were widespread, with a record 12 named storms [hyperlink] hitting the East and Gulf coasts, along with derechos [hyperlink] and riverine flooding [hyperlink] damaging the West and Midwest--all amid the ongoing pandemic. In 2021, the dual disaster threat persists. Data from previous years suggest that Atlantic hurricanes could form as early as May [hyperlink], a critical month for COVID-19 vaccine distribution this year. And although spring flooding is predicted to be less severe [hyperlink] in 2021, communities must still be prepared. Most importantly, 2020 demonstrated how flooding and COVID-19 compound existing health, environmental, and income inequities on racial and socioeconomic lines. With these challenges in mind, this handbook for local leaders provides six recommendations for preparing for floods during COVID-19. While the specific response will vary by community, proactively planning an equitable response is essential everywhere."

From the Highlights: "During the 2017 and 2018 disaster seasons, several large-scale disasters created an unprecedented demand for FEMA's workforce. FEMA deployed 14,684 and 10,328 personnel at the peak of each of these seasons and reported staffing shortages during the disasters. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review issues related to the federal response to the 2017 disaster season. This report addresses (1) how FEMA's disaster workforce is qualified and deployed, (2) how effective FEMA's qualification and deployment processes were during the 2017 and 2018 disaster seasons in ensuring workforce needs were met in the field, and (3) the extent to which FEMA's disaster workforce receives staff development to enhance skills and competencies."

From the Highlights: "FEMA has long been tasked with the difficult job of leading the federal response to natural disasters. The increasing frequency of disasters and the additional responsibilities of responding to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and other events have stretched the FEMA workforce in unprecedented ways. This testimony discusses GAO's [U.S. Government Accountability Office's] prior work on various FEMA workforce challenges. This statement is based on products GAO issued from July 2015 to August 2021. For those products, GAO reviewed and analyzed federal law, federal data, and agency documentation and interviewed federal, state, and local officials as well as representatives of stakeholder groups impacted by disasters. GAO also conducted some of these interviews as part of visits to locations affected by hurricanes in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, GAO conducted 17 focus groups with FEMA staff. [...] GAO has made numerous recommendations in prior reports designed to address the workforce challenges discussed in this testimony. FEMA has taken steps to address these recommendations and GAO is monitoring FEMA's ongoing efforts."

From the Document: "How do we realize similar benefits in hazard mitigation? By placing equity at the center of all that we do. Although there is no one-size-fits-all definition, equity can generally be understood as policies, practices, interactions, cultures and resources that are responsive to all people. Equity is achieved not only when everyone is provided full access to information and assistance, but when we intervene to ensure that all are provided with the resources necessary to meaningfully participate, make progress and benefit from hazard mitigation. The illustration included within this guide highlights how, without equity interventions, equal access is inherently impossible. As human beings, we each have unique needs that must be met to allow our meaningful participation. To realize this vision, we must work in partnership with the 'Whole Community.' This 'Guide to Expanding Mitigation' shows how community officials can partner with the Whole Community to strive for equity in hazard mitigation, including the planning and project development process. This guide is a starting place for community officials to initiate a conversation about mitigation investments that make communities both more equitable and more resilient, while avoiding situations in which risk reduction measures displace the very people they are intended to protect."

The Hazard Mitigation Partners Workshop is an annual meeting for the discussion of hazard mitigation grants and floodplain management.

From the Introduction: "The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, the Department) is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services. Across its operating divisions, HHS administers an array of health and human services programs that aim to provide all Americans with a usual and ongoing source of health care, including informed and coordinated investments to enhance the access, supply, distribution, and quality of the nation's health workforce. The health workforce is composed of a wide variety of occupations - including providers such as registered nurses, physicians, and dentists, as well as individuals in critical and essential health care support roles, such as community health workers, direct support professionals, and caregivers. Current HHS investments in the health workforce are informed using available data and are aligned with the Department's authorities."