ISSUE 10
MAY
Brought to you by
2021
FEBRU ARY 7 & 8 2 0 2 2 / M IA M I BE A CH C O N V EN T I O N C EN T ER
Welcome to the May 2021 Edition of The Lookout Post! We have tons of informative content for all those following the current state of affairs in natural disaster management and emergency response. We aim for the continual distribution of this newsletter to help inform professionals in the industry about the latest happenings and innovations that are transforming how communities prepare and respond to natural disasters. Check out what’s been coming over the horizon since our last edition!
ISSUE 10 / May 2021
SITUATION OF THE MONTH
Southeastern States Facing Dangerous Flooding Emergencies The Southeastern United States is suffering severe
The fact that a Flash Flood Emergency
storms resulting in flash flood emergencies and
was issued here is an indication of
life-threatening situations across the region. At
just how dire the situation is.
least three people have already died as a result of the severe weather and over 300,000 homes and businesses are without electricity from Texas all the way to Virginia. According to The Weather Channel, a flash flood emergency was declared in Birmingham on Tuesday, indicating an imminent and life threatening danger of flooding. The issuance of a Flash Flood Emergency is exceedingly rare and only issued when there is a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage
The continuous heavy rain and wind is causing significant problems across the region, including road and interstate closures, tossed cars, flipped trailers, and even fire damage caused by lightning. South Carolina, Mississippi, and Kentucky are also facing rapid tornado threats, with 12 tornadoes hitting Mississippi alone on Sunday. See Full Article
is happening or will happen soon. As opposed to a Flash Flood Warning which is issued when there is dangerous flash flooding happening which will cause roads, homes, and businesses to flood.
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ISSUE 10 / May 2021
Quick Dam Case Study When Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston, Texas area in 2017 millions of people had their lives changed forever. Harvey brought a whopping $125 million in damages. Over 300,000 structures completely flooded as well as 500,000 cars in just the region alone. Over the course of this catastrophic hurricane the total rainfall was 60.58 inches. When devastating hurricanes such as Hurricane Harvey impact a community they have an everlasting effect. Once the storm has passed many in a community, they search for answers and solutions to ensure that kind of destruction never takes place again. The traditional methods used to mitigate flooding are extremely time consuming, labor intensive and require a ton of storage space. When it comes to both hurricanes and flooding the best possible way to stay protected from damages is to be fully prepared as early as possible. We’ve found that people aren’t opposed to preparing early but all of the reasons listed previously make it extremely difficult to do so... See Full Case Study
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ISSUE 10 / May 2021
Exhibitor Spotlight:
RDFG
RDFG, also known as the Association Regional/Rural Development for
This ensures a strong and communicative partnership between
Future Georgia strives to enhance living conditions of the most vulnerable
the organization and the international donor community. They
people and focuses on upholding protection while eliminating discrimination.
maintain all documentation of funds and all expenditures allocated.
Their sole mission is to upkeep the blossoming regions built by a resilient
RDFG’s financial management system is reliable due to their
community and a liable government. All the procedures and policies
track record of accurate complete and current records.
under RDFG are in alignment with INGO standards and practices.
See Full Article
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ISSUE 10 / May 2021
INNOVATIVE TECH OF THE MONTH
PROSOCO: Construction Products to Make Buildings Last
Their dedicated team has fostered a reputation domestically and internationally as a
PROSOCO is on a mission to make buildings look better
satisfaction. A typical day for their Regional Sales Manager, Guy Mazza, includes numerous
and last longer with their specialty construction chemicals.
site-visits, in-person consultations, and direct phone calls at all hours of the day.
company that goes above and beyond for their customers in every way possible. Each and every member of the PROSOCO family takes a hands-on approach to ensuring customer
With 80 years of success in the construction industry, PROSOCO is a trusted partner of industry giants like
80 years of success doesn’t come easily, and PROSOCO has maintained their relevance
Google, Amazon, and Etsy. A national manufacturer,
by constantly innovating. They are always seeking new opportunities to join with other
PROSOCO provides construction products that make your
best-in-class manufacturers to build innovative new construction products and systems.
buildings last. Their extensive product line includes masonry
Some of their existing partnerships include the Clean Energy Business Council, the
cleaning, water repellents, finished concrete floors, air &
American Institute of Architects, and the Concrete Polishing Council just to name a few.
water barriers, and construction and restoration anchors.
See Full Article
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ISSUE 10 / May 2021
MEET THE HEROES
Check out this edition’s highlights for the heroes of The Lookout Post! These proud people and organizations are at the forefront of providing crucial industry advancements for disaster professionals.
Doug Quinn - Executive Director - American Policyholder Association
Doug has fought FEMA, his insurance carrier,
APA Executive Director Doug Quinn is a Marine
was asked to take the helm as the Executive
Corps veteran who was living a comfortable life
Director of the American Policyholder Association,
as an investment advisor on the Jersey Shore
a nonprofit organization whose mission is to
until he lost his home in Superstorm Sandy.
protect American insurance consumers from fraud
Although he had the maximum legal amount
perpetrated by insurance company employees as
of flood coverage, Doug’s Insurance Company
well as the engineering and adjusting firms they
only offered him 37 cents on the dollar. In the
hire. Coming from a financial background, Doug
& the bureaucracy of a disaster recovery gone wrong for 7 grueling years. Due to his activism on behalf of consumers, Doug
process of fighting this injustice, Doug found out believes strongly in the important role insurance that many of his friends & neighbors were also plays as a risk management tool and is committed being shortchanged. His eyes were opened to
to eliminating any elements of fraud that keep it
rampant fraud perpetrated against the American from working properly for American families. insurance consumer by some unscrupulous See Full Article actors who seek to profit from their hardship.
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ISSUE 10 / May 2021
MEET THE HEROES Lisa Orloff - President & Founder Resiliency Advisors & World Cares Lisa Orloff is a not-for-profit entrepreneur, President of Resiliency Advisors, LLC and founder of World Cares Center, the not for profit, voluntary organization she spearheaded post 9-11-2001. Orloff provides leadership, strategic vision and develops and delivers curricula including a common international response platform, and volunteer management leadership initiatives. She has developed technologies to support response capabilities. Ms. Orloff has responded during the 9-11 relief effort, Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti Earthquake of 2010, Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy. She has built partnerships with Offices of Emergency Management, Citizen Corp, CERT, the American Red Cross, Police Departments and the military, including the Department of Defense and UN cluster groups. Ms. Orloff contributes to a broader approach to inclusive disaster risk reduction and response as a subject matter expert for SAHMSA on the development of the Disaster Supervisor and Worker Resiliency Training, and members of several committees including 100 Resilient Cities, the Rockefeller Foundation, NYC-VOAD, International Association of Emergency Managers, The National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue, NOVA’s National Community Crisis Response Team, and the Department of Public Information of the UN. See Full Article
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ISSUE 10 / May 2021
MEET THE HEROES Gerry Falconer - Operations Supervisor - Miami Beach Fire Department/Ocean Rescue Division Born and raised in New Jersey, Gerry Falconer first gained
Gerry and the lifeguard team’s goal is to ensure
experience in saving lives as a local pool lifeguard before working
all lives are kept safe from environmental factors
on beaches and getting to know the shoreline communities. Gerry
and to ensure people understand what it means to
came to Miami Beach in 1993, and has worked for the Miami Beach
be at the mercy of the ocean, so every beachgoer
Fire Department’s Ocean Rescue division for over 23 years.
can have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Gerry’s main influence for his career arrived the moment he
See Full Article
saved someone’s life at his local community pool, realizing how important it is that people are kept safe from dangers posed by interaction with significant bodies of water. The ocean, along with difficult to predict weather, can create conditions of shifting depth levels that present serious risk to beachgoers regardless of physique or swimming ability.
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ISSUE 10 / May 2021
PARTNER SHOUTOUT Our Partners to The Natural Disaster Expo, the organizations leading the way for stronger communities against natural disasters and for a more sustainable future.
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Looking to be included in an upcoming edition of The Lookout Post? Contact Eddy Lawrance at Eddy.Lawrance@prysmgroup.co.uk for more information. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE!