Preparing Vulnerable Populations for a Disaster: Inner-City Emergency Preparedness- Who Should Take the Lead?

Michael Greenberger

January 1, 2007

This article details the almost self-evident nature of problems inner cities face in confronting catastrophic emergencies, and how Katrina corroborated the serious nature of this problem. It then critiques several for the federal government’s post-mortem reports on Katrina, focusing on the overly generalized recommendations that provide no clear guidance in this area. This article then proposes a pilot program for preparing inner-city communities in the event of a disaster. This pilot program would be developed in at least one small, well-defined inner-city neighborhood. By starting with a pilot program within a single inner-city neighborhood, the appropriate state or city might be able to find the money to fund such a limited effort. In the absence of public funding, private resources might alternatively be utilized. Private funding might also supplement available government funds. This program would be a cost-effective way in which to create a successful template for preparing inner cities for emergencies that could then be duplicated across the country with minimal effort.

Downloads: