Suchergebnisse

The communication of risk and return-entry information is vital following a disaster. Although several studies examine challenges households experience when gathering information after an event, very little has been done to understand the communication challenges local emergency managers face during this time period. This study examines the risk communication challenges experienced by the local emergency management organizations in New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy (2012). Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 25 local emergency management officials from the state of New Jersey. Qualitative data analysis using a grounded theory approach yielded four primary themes related to challenges: information challenges, technological challenges, organizational constraints, and social challenges. This article examines these four themes from the perspective of the local emergency manager and provides insights into the unique challenges these organizations faced in the aftermath of this disaster.

The management of flood risk poses significant challenges for communities across the United States. At the forefront of managing flood risk in the U.S. are local floodplain administrators (FPAs). Despite the importance of their role in addressing flood hazards at the local level, little is known about those who serve in this capacity. Using survey data gathered from local floodplain administrators in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, this study provides an overview of floodplain administrators in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 6. Specifically, this research examines perceived strengths and challenges of floodplain administrators in their ability to carry out their roles and responsibilities, and explores how perceived strengths and challenges in ability vary based on location, experience, and previous floodplain management training. This study provides new insights into the strengths and challenges individuals experience in this role and analyses suggest that significant differences exist in the perceived abilities of floodplain managers based on whether they work in an urban and rural setting, their years of experience, and previous training. Based on the findings, this study offers recommendations about training needs and strategies that would benefit current floodplain administrators as they enhance resilience to floods in their communities.