COVID-19 Operational Guidance for Hurricane Season has been Released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently released the “COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season.”  This will help emergency managers and public health officials best prepare for disasters while continuing to respond to and recover from COVID-19.

This guide provides actions that emergency managers and public officials can take to prepare for response and recovery operations during ongoing COVID-19 response efforts. 

The guidance specifically does the following:

·         Describes anticipated challenges to disaster operations posed by COVID-19.

·         Highlights planning considerations for emergency managers based on current challenges.

·         Outlines how FEMA plans to adapt to response and recovery operations.

·         Includes guidance, checklists, and resources to support emergency managers’ response and recovery planning.

Private sector and non-governmental organizations can also use the guidance to gain an understanding of the government’s posture, planning, and readiness efforts.

To expand awareness and understanding of the guidance, FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate is conducting four webinars.  The webinars will allow emergency managers an opportunity to discuss how the guidance can assist jurisdictions review and modify their plans given the restraints and limitations of the ongoing pandemic.

To register, please click on the link for the preferred webinar from the list below:

·         Webinar 1: FEMA Adobe Connect

2 – 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020

·         Webinar 2: FEMA Adobe Connect

10 – 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 4th, 2020

·         Webinar 3: FEMA Adobe Connect

1 – 2 p.m. ET on Monday, June 8th, 2020

·         Webinar 4: FEMA Adobe Connect

3 – 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 10th, 2020

The COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season can be downloaded here.