How to Disaster

Links are provided where to find all three guests' organizational or personal affiliations below:

 

Connect with: Viequeslove: 

Website: https://viequeslove.org/ 

Facebook: https://facebook.com/viequeslove 

Twitter; https://twitter.com/viequeslove 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vieques_love/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/viequeslove 

  

Connect with Christa: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christasandelierlopez/ 

 

Connect with George:

Website: https://mirsoniagroup.com/ 

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LawsPR51 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-laws-garcia/ 

 

 

"In five days, we had over $500,000, and it was just an incredible show of love for Vieques." -Kelly Thompson

 

"Take the time when there is not a disaster to adjust from the lessons learned and to use these resources that are being put out there to build resiliency." -Mark Martin Bras

 

"I'm always updating what's in my house and what my house looks like for insurance purposes. Most people have a smartphone so you can do it." -Christa López Ph.D., CEM

 

"That inequality that happens under colonialism creates a structural vulnerability that becomes exacerbated and highlighted." -George Laws Garcia 

Episode Description: 

We often talk about wildfires here at After the Fire. But in this episode, we are going deep into the extreme opposite of the spectrum, hurricane— a type of disaster that is equally deserving of our attention.

A hurricane or tropical cyclone is a type of storm that generally develops in tropical regions and has a brewing center below the surface of the ocean. Hurricanes are most common in the summer and fall.

And when the hurricane season approaches, it's hard to not feel a sense of threat and dread. Whether you are a recent storm victim or looking to be prepared for future hurricanes, this episode is for you! 

Our guests share steps to ensure that you have the resources you need to prepare and recover from this disaster. Here from Viequeslove's Co-Founder Mark Martin Bras and Executive Director Kelly Thompson, Chief of Staff for Community Development and Revitalization for the Texas General Land Office Dr. Christa López, and Mirsonia Group's Executive Director, George Laws Garcia.

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

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Highlights:

01:32: How to Face Disaster on an Island (Hurricane Maria)  with Kelly Thompson and Martin Bras 

05:19: How to Serve Communities Pre and Post Disaster with Christa López PhD CEM

09:43: How to Bridge the Gap Between Federal and Local Policy with George Laws Garcia 

"Not everybody has to create a new nonprofit to do something…  This is not about the ego of one individual and their mission to help people. It's about how an organization can be structured to support these people who've been hurt." -Jim White  

Episode Description: 

Nonprofits are often the first on the ground in times of disaster. And often, they are composed of everyday citizens who do not hesitate to help those affected by any means available, and it has led to some of the most heartwarming stories in history.

 

But of course, no organization is perfect. As disasters evolve in intensity and frequency, the nonprofit sector ought to keep evolving as well in how they can serve better because the best nonprofits practice continuous improvement. Considering their work is so important and since their impact can be so wide-reaching, the sector cannot afford to be complacent or content. 

 

Disaster response and preparedness are important things to consider when it comes to the safety of those they hope to help through their organization or volunteer works. So what are nonprofits doing right? What room for improvement do they have? How does the level of disaster declaration limit the services they can offer? How can they work in collaboration with government agencies and private citizens to provide better services? And why is it necessary to think long-term with regards to managing funds? Tune in as Jennifer and Jim White, the Executive Director of The Nonprofit Association of Oregon discuss how nonprofits can improve disaster response in terms of preparedness, recovery, and collaboration. 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebuildNorthBay/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

Highlights:

03:07: Community Leads

10:49: Meeting Certain Standards of Care

17:58: Mega Fires and Fire Responses 

26:04: The Implications of Disaster Declaration 

31:54: Nonprofits and Human Services

40:05: Addressing the Community's Lack of Capacity

45:29: The Inequity in Disaster Relief Response

49:14:  Think Long-Term Funding

54:27: The Misconceptions Around Charitable Works and Compensation

Links are provided where to find all three guests' organizational or personal affiliations below:

Connect with Nancy: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-brown-phd-0b99336a/ 

Connect with Alma: 

Website: https://nc707.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/308881973079543 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/teamNC707 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nc707abowen/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alma-bowen-9381083b 

Connect with Josh: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.farrell.961 

 

 

"Make a list of those things [that you might need]. And once you've done that, you're a long way to understanding how to support each other because you know who has what and where to go get it when you need it in a hurry." -Nancy Brown, PhD

 

"I want to build a culture of preparedness where conversations around preparedness, actually preparing, and taking the steps necessary is just part of what we do and not a weird thing on the side." -Alma Bowen

 

"The biggest thing that I thought of when I was coming back from the fire is… to make electronic files to put on a USB drive.— That stuff, the FEMA check. Super important!" -Josh Farrell

Episode Description: 

It's important to be prepared for a disaster, but it's also important to keep in mind that being prepared means being able to respond quickly. If we think we have time, that's when we really don't have time. The inevitable truth about disaster is that it does not discriminate nor does it show mercy— lives are at stake, our lives! 

Disaster preparedness may seem like a lot of work, but it's worth doing. And it's not just about keeping our families safe; it's about helping our community safe too. In this episode, our guests discuss practical steps and tips on how to be prepared for a disaster as a community, as a family, and as individuals. They also share what must-have items to put in our go bags, how to prepare for when communication fails, how to keep documentation for claiming financial aid after a disaster, and how to work together as a community to meet the needs of each member. Tune in and hear from Sonoma County's Community Preparedness Program Manager Nancy Brown, Nuestra Comunidad Founder Alma Bowen, and Citizen Prepper Joshua Farrell. 

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Highlights:

01:33: Season 2 Ep 2— How to Help Communities Prepare and Respond to Disaster with Nancy Brown, PhD

03:57: Season 2 Ep 6— How To Serve Vulnerable Communities with Alma Bowen

09:40: Season 1 Ep 2&3— How to Prepare: Citizen Prepper Part 1&2 with Josh Farrell

"Art is actually a lifeline…When presented in conjunction with important ideas, art can change us inside. It changes the way we see, think, feel, and the way that we talk about things that are important to us." -Rina Faletti, PhD

 

Episode Description: 

When a disaster strikes, the conversation typically focuses on what has been lost: homes, livelihoods, and even lives. The emotional and spiritual toll of a disaster can be harder to recognize, but it is every bit as important.

But in times like these, it's crucial to remember that humans are creative creatures, and we have access to a wonderful tool that can help us heal: ART. As survivors work to rebuild their homes and their lives, art ​can help them feel​ less alone by providing an opportunity for shared experience and expression. Art teaches them to see things differently—to notice details, to find beauty where they may not have seen it before, and to connect with their community and themselves.

Art-Responds was curated by Dr. Rina Faletti with the same vision. As the importance of art and community became apparent in disaster recovery, Dr. Faletti began gathering artist-responders that are also active in making this vision possible: Oscar Aguilar Olea, Julia Crane, Andrea Dale, Lowell Downey, Laura Resen, Jeff Frost, Linda Gass, Edmund Ian Grant, Norma I. Quintana, Kristi Rene, and Brian Fies who is also our guest in Season 3 Episode 6. As they strive to bring art into disaster recovery, they also open the opportunity for deeper conversations on community engagement, disaster preparedness, and recovery. 

 

Tune in as Dr. Faletti discusses how important it is to introduce art as one of the first responses to recovery and not the last, what gathering artist-responders and putting together an exhibit is like, the unifying and healing power of art, and the importance of storytelling in recovery. 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebuildNorthBay/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

Highlights:

03:04: Fire Goes Where Water Flows

12:25: We are Reflections of Nature

17:56: Gathering Artist-Responders Together

23:15: The Role of Art in Recovery

28:46: Why Art Should be on the Front of Recovery

37:18: Art Brings Community Together

42:00: The Unifying Power of Art 

45:45: Meet the Artist-Responders  

Links are provided where to find all three guests' organizational or personal affiliations below:

 

Connect with Pat: 

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

 

Connect with Sydnie: 

Website 

Facebook 

LinkedIn 

Twitter 

 

Connect with Wendy: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

 

"If we are in a position to be able to save lives, let's make sure we are absolutely adamantly prepared to do that." -Pat Kerrigan

 

"Understand [not only] the power that you have, but also the responsibility you have to tell a very strong but truthful story with the powerful tools that we all carry." -Sydnie Kohara

 

"I'm getting back to the preventative side of things. There are little things every homeowner could do to harden their homes." -Wendy Nystrom

 

Episode Description: 

Media is arguably one of the most powerful resources in terms of information gathering and distribution. As the old adage goes, "the pen is mightier than the sword." Media, especially that which has gone digital and wirelessly transmitted to smartphones and televisions has become a force unto itself — capable of bringing changes in the society, influencing people to action, and even saving lives.

In critical events, some people have played significant roles in saving lives, and they are not people of authority but ordinary citizens who have used the power of the media to deliver critical facts and stories. They are called "citizen journalists". If we can harness the power of media personalities and citizens as information gatekeepers during a disaster, this will be a game-changer in the field of disaster response and recovery. 

This episode is focused on the current media landscape, its role in disaster reporting and the responsibility it owes to the public, and how the public can also be reliable and authentic storytellers. Our guests, award-winning radio host Pat Kerrigan, Kohara Studio Founder Sydnie Kohara, and Environmental Social Justice founder, Wendy E. Nystrom talk about what the media and the community can do beforehand to deliver information as fast and factual as possible and utilize the tools a.k.a. our gadgets to add value to the community during a disaster. We also hear practical advice on how working with different sectors such as agriculture and first-responders can help bridge the gap in information transfer and build a more resilient community.  

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Highlights:

01:34: Season 2 Ep 1— How to Broadcast Media: Radio with Pat Kerrigan

 

04:43: Season 2 Ep 12— How to Inform the Public as an Information Gatekeeper During a Disaster with Sydnie Kohara

 

08:46: Season2 Ep 19— How to Address Wildfire Risks and Insurance with Indigenous Practices and Community-Wide Preventative Responses

"It's either you have resiliency or you don't. It's more of a character trait. But I think the willingness to try something new and be wrong is probably my closest definition of that word. A lot of willingness to try—that's exciting!" -Jake Bentz

 

Episode Description: 

Charitable giving surges during periods of natural disaster. In a time when the heartstrings are being tugged and people are donating like crazy, it is easy to be overwhelmed with donations. 

 

Unfortunately, most items donated to shelters do not suit the immediate needs of survivors. As a result, donations often do not reach their intended target. Hence, it is important for organizations to set up stations dedicated to managing donated items following a disaster.

 

Santiam Hospital's Donation Distribution  Coordinator, Jake Bentz started volunteering in this field as a young 18-year-old. Little did he know that his passion would grow fast and big. Today, he continues to explore possible avenues to offer support in disaster recovery. 

 

In this episode, Jake talks about his work around managing and distributing donations to wildfire survivors, how an influx of donations can cause secondary disaster, and what donations are tagged for immediate needs and which are for long-term recovery. Jake also relates the challenges and benefits of being a young leader and how the younger generation can contribute to disaster response efforts. 

If you are someone who is passionate about giving back and supporting causes you are concerned about, this episode is for you! 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Highlights:

01:05: The Best of Mankind

08:47: Service Integration

12:13: Donations- Potential Secondary Disaster

17:07: How Donations Are Distributed

20:26: Donations- For Now 

27:16:  Donations- For Later

29:44 The Challenges and Benefits of Being a Young Leader

33:03: The Younger Generation and Resiliency

Links are provided where to find all three guests' organizational or personal affiliations below:

 

Connect with Amy Bach: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

 

Connect with Kendall Jarvis: 

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

 

Connect with the Legal Aid of Sonoma:

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

YouTube

 

Connect with Zack Rosenburg: 

LinkedIn

 

Connect with Saint Bernard Project (SBP):

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Medium

 

"Insurance is part of the spectrum so our roadmap to recovery includes personal finance decision making." -Amy Bach, Esq.

 

"Take one step at a time. Some days, you are going to be able to make great strides, other days, you're going to want to stay in bed." -Kendall Jarvis, Esq.

 

"We can't just tell these people 'good luck, have a nice life'. We will do what we know how to do well—building houses and we'll go raise money for them."  -Zack Rosenburg

 

Episode Description: 

There are things we often don't want to talk about— but need to know, including insurance and legal aid. Not many people enjoy getting insurance, but it's becoming more and more necessary as we continue to experience stronger and more frequent disasters. 

 

However, even these recovery processes can be taxing and even more painful than the disaster itself. As we venture out of our safe places and repair what was damaged, we're often left on our own to navigate what can be a confusing process with all the terms and legalities that come along with litigation. Although the situation may seem bleak in the immediate aftermath, there are organizations and groups to help you recover. 

 

Our guests, United Policyholders Founder, Amy Bach, Esq., Disaster Relief Attorney for Legal Aid of Sonoma County, Kendall Jarvis Esq., and CEO of Saint Bernard Project/SBP, Zack Rosenburg share how their organizations are helping people get the help they deserve, the factors that contribute to underinsurance, how to navigate financial decisions in the midst of a traumatic event, the mechanisms and processes that take place before funds are released, and the socio-economic and racial implication of reimbursements. Tune in and discover resources you can tap into for long-term recovery.  

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Highlights:

01:31: Season 1 Ep 7&8— How to Navigate Insurance Before, During, and After a Disaster with Amy Bach

05:38: Season 2 Ep 16—How to Provide Legal Aid to Disaster Survivors with Kendall Jarvis, Esq.

10:06: Season 3 Ep 10— How to Persevere Through the Turbulence of Disaster Recovery with Zack Rosenburg

"It's not just what happens in the immediate response… But also how we span the entire spectrum to be able to provide those necessary resources because it does take a long time to rebuild." -Trey Bearden

 

Episode Description: 

Many people lost not just their homes and belongings during a disaster, but also the ability to continue working. On top of dealing with their own loss, many families find it difficult to afford the additional costs of repairs and rebuilding when something happens. And, sometimes, people just don't have the tools to do some of the most basic tasks. There are those who were only able to save a few tools or none at all during the evacuation because of all the chaos. Indeed, tools and equipment can help improve the outcome of disaster recovery. 

 

Thankfully, there are organizations working to change this situation, such as ToolBank  USA. In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Toolbank USA's Chief Program Officer, Trey Bearden. Tune in to learn more about the work they do, what services they offer, how your community can benefit from this organization's resources, and what we can do to become better equipped and better prepared as individuals and as a community. 

 

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

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LinkedIn

YouTube

Highlights:

00:44: ToolBank Disaster Services

11:31: Bridging the Gap— Limited Resources

20:25: How to be a Resource

29:21 Strategic Initiatives with the Highest Probability of Success

40:14: What Organizations Are Needed

49:49: The Small Role We All Can Play

54:59: Allow Yourself to be Taken Cared of 

 

Links are provided where to find all three guests' organizational or personal affiliations below:   Connect with Amy: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

 

Connect with MuGrid:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

 

Connect with Bailey:

Website

Facebook 

Twitter 

Instagram  

LinkedIn 

 

Connect with Cynthia: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

 

 

"Micro (µ) grid is a collection of energy generation, amps, storage, and distribution assets that sit together very close to where the energy is going to be used. That's a different architecture from what we currently have." -Amy Simpkins 

 

"There is some information out there that we can gather together or aggregate in a way that is really valuable… Knowing that there's one place for that information is absolutely essential knowing that you can have things under control." - Bailey Farren

"The only way we get anything done anymore is through collective will. It's when we all decide that we have a common purpose, a common ground, and we're going to work on this together." -Cynthia Murray 

Episode Description: 

As we watch global events unfold, we realize that there will be more climate-related disasters in the coming years. The devastating truth is that we will never be able to stop natural disasters from happening, but there is something we can do to build our homes and communities with more tolerance to disasters.  

As the world becomes more and more tech-savvy and able to innovate for more sustainable answers, we now have the capabilities to not just recover from disasters, but to help prevent them, strengthen our resilience, and rebuild better. And in this regard, a focus on securing a more sustainable source of energy, communication, and delivering information is vital. 

In this episode, we will hear critical insights from our guests MuGrid (µgrid) Analytics CEO Amy Simpkins, Founder, and CEO of Perimeter Bailey Farren, and CEO of Northbay Leaders Cynthia Murray. Tune in and discover how these technologies and practical solutions can help your community improve its communication, information dissemination, and energy generation in a disaster. 

 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Highlights:

01:32: Season 2, Ep 18— How Equity Can be Enhanced in Sustainability and Disaster Preparedness with Amy Simpkins

04:16: Season 1, Ep 12— How to Help the Helpers (First Responders) with Bailey Farren

09:12: Season 1, Ep 8— Communication Failures in Disaster: The Impact on the Private Sector with Cynthia Murray

"If your community has a disaster, help with the planning. Help figure out what you want to happen next because if you don't play, you can't win." -Heather Milton

 

Episode Description: 

Disasters can devastate communities greatly. When this happens, the focus of those affected is on survival, but after the immediate danger has been thwarted, many then turn their attention to longer-term issues of survival and recovery. For them, the most important thing is to get their lives back to normal.

 

In this event, disaster management is one of the most important public services that governments are responsible for. However, this statement immediately presents a challenge: How can we design a system to equitably distribute the limited resources so that as many people as possible are helped in the wake of a disaster? 

 

Tune in as Jennifer interviews Heather Milton, a member of FEMA's Interagency Recovery Coordination team on the role of FEMA and GISCorps in ensuring that certain measures are observed to allow the underprivileged to access the same resources as the rest of the population. They also talk about how valuable data is for the government, where planning for allocation starts, the limitations of FEMA, how to design recovery programs, how to lead and redesign your community, and how individual members can contribute to the recovery of the community. 

 

The system isn't perfect, but when the government, organizations, and communities work together, quick disaster recovery is possible. 

Connect with After The Fire USA: 

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Highlights:

01:05: What is GISCorps?

08:57: The Limits of FEMA

16:41: Factors to Consider in Resource Allocation 

21:01: Lead and Design Your Community

29:39: Creative Ways Communities Recover

36:20: Resources are Not Unlimited

42:45: Underserved Communities

52:04 The Housing Issue

56:17 Misconceptions and Myths to Debunk

01:00:06 If You Don't Play, You Don't Win