Disasters and Emergencies: Lessons Learned from CIOs

The caption under this story's lead photo says it all:

For Orange County, Fla., CIO Rafael Mena, who has more experience responding to hurricanes than many, he learned not to underestimate the importance of GIS -- a tool that helps officials see what’s happening even if they’re confined to an emergency operations center.

For more, see the link below:

Hard-Won Experience: Lessons from America’s Biggest Disasters and Emergencies

(Government Technology, August 29, 2014)

Comment: This is a great article that drives home the point disaster preparedness requires a unique way of thinking about things. Three key take aways:

1. When a disaster hits, its too late to "get prepared".
2. Relationships you develop before a disaster are crucial to successfully managing the unexpected events that make a disaster, a disaster.
3. Have a plan for ramping up operations using outside assets.