Lessons from Hurricane Ida: Addressing gaps in emergency preparedness planning to protect residents in independent living facilities
Abstract
This paper describes how Hurricane Ida exposed gaps in emergency preparedness planning and coordination in New Orleans, particularly related to the health and safety of the residents of multi-storey independent living facilities designated for seniors and persons with disabilities, where at least ten lives were lost due to the power outages and extreme heat that occurred following the storm. As this paper discusses, New Orleans Health Department leaders responded by taking swift policy action, working with the mayor, city council and community stakeholders to ensure better coordination, preparation and accountability for owners and operators of certain independent living facilities. The article recommends that states and localities with individuals living in independent living facilities should consider similar policy interventions as part of their disaster cycle planning activities.
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Jeanie Donovan is the Deputy Director of the New Orleans Health Department, where she manages all policy matters related to public health and health improvement. Prior to this role, she was Policy Director at the Louisiana Department of Health, where she oversaw the development and implementation of major policy initiatives, including COVID-19 policy response, Medicaid eligibility policy, and maternal and child health policy.
Meredith Mcinturff is the Public Health Emergencies Coordinator for the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD). In this role, she supports Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF-8) Public Health and Medical Services and Recovery Support Function 3 (RSF-3) Health and Social Services coordination within Orleans Parish, oversees local public health emergency ordinance implementation, and manages emergency preparedness workforce development initiatives for NOHD staff and New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps volunteers.
Citation
Donovan, Jeanie and Mcinturff, Meredith (2023, September 1). Lessons from Hurricane Ida: Addressing gaps in emergency preparedness planning to protect residents in independent living facilities. In the Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, Volume 17, Issue 1. https://doi.org/10.69554/YDDE7560.
Publications LLP