Pre-Disaster Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery NAS Disaster Roundtable October 17, 2007 Laurie A. Johnson, AICP Dr. Robert Olshansky, AICP
Agenda California s Experience APA PAS Report and Model Recovery Ordinance Florida s Initiative Observations Acknowledgments Ken Topping, California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo Sandy Meyer, Project Manager, Florida Division of Community Planning
California s Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Experience 1976, LA Mayor appointed task force to explore how city might respond to a credible earthquake prediction Early 1980s, LA established Emergency Operations Organization (EOO) pursuant to task force recommendation 1980s, NSF-funded Pre-Earthquake Planning for Post- Earthquake Rebuilding (PEPPER) Multidisciplinary team predicted earthquake intensities, structural damage and damage costs for 4 LA scenario earthquakes Recommended a planning process that included: Periodic evaluations of seismic risk and possible response Development of policies and procedures for post-earthquake land use planning and rebuilding Model ordinance to establish a rebuilding and recovery organization
California s Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Experience LA Recovery and Reconstruction ordinance (adopted Sept. 1989) Formalizes a Recovery and Reconstruction division in the city s Emergency Operations Ordinance with planning chief as head LA Recovery and Reconstruction Plan draft 1988; revised post-1989 earthquake; revised draft, fall 1993 Post-Northridge, planning-led management structure not followed; recovery led by combination of Mayor and Council committees Prescriptive task nature was helpful in organizing various departments responsibilities Other Products: California OES recovery and reconstruction planning guidelines (1991 and 1993) Series of earthquake scenarios for major California faults FEMA post-disaster rebuilding exercises (earthquakes and floods)
APA/FEMA Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction, 1998 (PAS 483/484) Geared towards practicing planners, emphasizing links between comprehensive planning, mitigation, and emergency operations planning Series of case studies: tornado, flood, hurricane, wildfire and earthquake Model ordinance, to be adopted pre-event: Establish a recovery organization to prepare recovery plan and define post-disaster authorities Calls for adoption of the plan and ordinance by governing body Defines a variety regulatory powers and procedures, such as: Damage assessment Development moratoria Expedited permit processing Handling non-conforming uses Demolition of damaged historic buildings
State of Florida Post Disaster Redevelopment Plan Initiative Florida Department of Community Affairs is beginning a 3-year post-disaster redevelopment planning initiative Funding from NOAA, through Florida Coastal Management Program Product: a guidebook that can be used by each local government to prepare a Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan (PDRP) All of Florida's 203 coastal counties and municipalities are required to adopt these plans. Inland communities are encouraged to prepare them Program will be overseen by a focus group representing federal, state, regional, and local organizations, and the academic community
State of Florida Post Disaster Redevelopment Plan Initiative (cont.) Communities already have plans for mitigation and response. PDRPs are to identify policies, strategies, and responsibilities to ensure that long-term recovery implements the community's previously-identified growth management and hazard mitigation goals. The statute recommends the plans include long-term policies for: Redevelopment Infrastructure Densities Nonconforming uses Future land use patterns
Phase 1 2007 Phase 2 2007-2008 Phase 3 2008-2009 1. Literature review, survey of existing post-disaster plans in Florida, development of draft guidelines. 2. Test the draft guidelines in a pilot community. 3. Analyze pilot test, prepare Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan guidebook (latest addition to the best practices series published by the Florida Department of Community Affairs). Recommend legislative changes to clarify the minimum requirements of a Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan.
Florida s Initiative: Intended Results Model Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan Addressing all elements of Redevelopment Consensus of Local Govt, Planners, EM Responders, Business Organizations & other Stakeholders Regional Integration, if possible Planning Template Capture the process (roadmap to the plan) Creating planning partnerships of stakeholders Marketing the plan
Observations Both mitigation and recovery must be priorities both before and after disasters. Mitigation emphasizes substance. It is difficult to sell before a disaster, and much easier to understand after one. Recovery emphasizes process. It is much easier to conceptualize before a disaster than in the chaos following one. Both are far easier to develop before a disaster than in the post-disaster pressure cooker.
Observations Guidance for both mitigation and recovery planning needs clarification and enhanced coordination Mitigation guidance with DMA 2000 (before) and Stafford Act (after); both do not adequately address catastrophic events Recovery planning mainly emphasized after, as part of NRP ESF 14; now being rolled into new national response framework Recently funded APA-FEMA Planners Advisory Service project "Integrating Hazard Mitigation into Local Planning"
Observations Increased emphasis on catastrophic/regional (response & recovery) planning Hurricane Pam exercise revealed many issues preevent and raised awareness FEMA Catastrophic Scenario initiatives in several regions across the U.S. Other scenario-based initiatives underway (e.g. New Madrid, Southern California) Other regional preparedness also underway within various sectors (e.g. Bay Area NGOs)