Whenever disaster strikes a city or community, its devastating effects dominate the news. Footage and images of properties damaged, distress of victims fills TV screens and airwaves. Sometimes the emergency can remain in the news for more than one or two weeks, which means a long-term coverage.
Evolution of emergency response and disaster recovery
Here is the history of preparing for and responding to natural or human-made disasters in the United States. It dates back to the time when the US was born as a nation, but the process started taking organizational shape in the 20th Century. Prior to this time, cases of disasters were handled “case by case,”. This is mostly backed by the Congressional Act providing different compensation to the victims who suffered from disasters. Examples of disasters that saw government emergency response were Portsmouth, NH Christmas Fire of 1808 and the very devastating Galveston Hurricane and Flood of 1990.
Source: Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Naval Photographic Center via Wikipedia
After a series of government efforts to respond to the disasters, they saw the formation of different agencies. From the 1940s to the 1970s, President Carter signed an executive order that merges all Federal Agencies. Those dealing with disaster preparedness and response issues were placed into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1979.
From that time till date, all disaster issues and emergency response are handled by FEMA.
Phases of Disaster Recovery and Emergency Response
Each disaster that happens is a unique occurrence that demands careful assessment. Bearing in mind that response and recovery may take time, it is critical to creating a strategic plan. These responses are aimed at identifying and helping the most vulnerable and severely affected people.
Although the stages of recovery don’t always follow a precise cut-out procedure, below are several phases that unfold. This is as affected communities start to rebuild their lives after disasters.
Search and Rescue is always the first disaster recovery phase that takes place after a disaster has struck. It usually requires a fast response which can last into hours or even days to save lives in imminent danger. After a few days, this phase traditionally elapsed to pave the way for providing support for survivors. An example is the search and rescue mission undertaken by FEMA after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.
Prompt Emergency Relief
The second phase of the emergency response and disaster recovery is the provision of emergency relief. It begins immediately after the disaster has occurred and when search and rescue operations have come to a close. The emergency relief phase brings foods, water, clothing, medicine and shelter to surviving victims of the disaster. It gives prompt and serious medical attention to people with severe injuries.
Emergency relief can go on for a long time or may end abruptly. It depends on the nature and scope of damage caused by the disaster.
Quick or Early Recovery
When it comes to recovery, the population that is affected is in a better and stable condition. They have access to food and water and temporary shelter where they can cope with wind and rain. People start going about their daily activities. Children start going to school again, although classes may be held in tents or churches, etc. While the entire affected population may not have completely recovered, they have started adapting to a new way of living.
The early recovery phase can last for weeks, months or even some few years. This depends on the initial communities vulnerability, resources available and sense of adaptability.
Medium to long-term disaster recovery
This phase involves the construction of permanent physical structures that will replace tents, plywood shelters, and trailers. This is to mirror what used to be as they try to get back to normal. With the commencement of building permanent structures, the social foundation of community is being reinforced and strengthened. Adults now have the opportunity to improve their means of living and restore their family’s economies. Children can return to schools with permanent buildings as they build. The society is now beginning to feel stable and safe once again.
We are all first responders
Back in 2017, FEMA showed us that we are all first responders. “FEMA has a central role in both response and recovery efforts as the federal government’s coordinator of emergency management operations. But that role is often misunderstood, with FEMA being viewed as a first responder rather than an extension of state and local capabilities.” Don’t forget that as a community and individuals we can do our part.
There is none that can talk about the history of US postal services without mentioning the contribution of Mary Katherine Goddard. She is a woman of impeccable character and an exceptional track record as a printer, newspaper publisher, and a postmaster.
Life & work of Mary Katherine Goddard
Mary Katherine was born was born to the Goddard family in New London, Connecticut, on June 16, 1738. She lived most of her life in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1774 down to 1816 when she died at the age of seventy-eight.
Mary Katherine’s father died in 1762, prompting Mary and her mother to join up with her brother, William Goddard. He owned a printing shop in Providence, R.I. it was here that Mary and her mother started their careers as printers. Mary Katherine was involved in the publishing of the weekly Providence Gazette. This process continued until the end of 1768 when she later teams up with her brother’s printing office located in Philadelphia. It’s in Philadelphia that Mary Katherine published the Pennsylvania Chronicles. Although the publication usually appears in the name of her brother, it was Mary Katherine that manages the shop. It happened to be one of the largest in the entire colonies.
Together Mary Katherine’s professional life as a printer, publisher, and postmaster was bound with her brother, William. After they both worked together in Providence and Rhode Island, William started a new business in Baltimore in May 1773. It became Baltimore’s first newspaper, the Maryland Journal. Following the closure of the shop in Philadelphia in February 1774, Mary Katherine moved permanently to Baltimore. She then became the sole manager of the new plant and newspaper.
On May 10, 1175, the Maryland Journal officially recognized what has become a norm when that year’s issue read “Published by M.K Goddard.” Katherine proved to be a reliable, impersonal newspaper editor and was the only printer Baltimore had during the Revolution. January 1777 witnessed the publication of the first version of the Declaration of Independence to include all of the Congressional signatures—all from the printing press of Mary Katherine Goddard.
Respect Earned
Mary successfully managed the day-to-day operations in Baltimore. In 1775, she was named Baltimore’s postmaster because of her abilities and excellent track record. She was the first woman to have held such a post in the colonies. Also, the last to hold such a position after the declaration of independence. Mary Katherine continued as Baltimore’s postmaster for fourteen years until she was discharged against her will in October 1789. The excuse was that someone was needed to manage the southern department of the postal system. She was discharged because the authorities felt the responsibility involved much traveling which is not for a woman.
Over two hundred businessmen in Baltimore endorsed Mary and supported her petition to the Postmaster General to retain her position. This shows how much respect she had from others. Mary remained in Baltimore where she continued her operation between1809-1810. Then her bookshop started operating as a partner in the printing business.
Home-going
Mary Katherine passed on in Baltimore at the age of seventy-eight, was buried in Saint Paul’s Parish graveyard. Mary received lots of tributes both from her brother and from letters written by eminent people like Thomas Jefferson and Ebenezer Hazard.
DynaGrace Enterprises was selected as the 2017 Small Business Development Center (SBDC) business of the year for Davis/Morgan Counties.
DynaGrace Enterprises was nominated by Andrew Willis, the director of the Davis County SDBC.
“The SDBC has been a very important resource to us,” Linda said, “Andrew gave us recommendations for our business that have proven extremely valuable. He has also assisted us in obtaining the market research we’ve needed in developing our growth strategy. The SDBC has provided us services, consultation, and recommendations, which we value and use.”
Recently DynaGrace Enterprises obtained a physical building and moved from its home office. The new office includes space for a podcast studio that can be used for video productions too.
The award was accepted at the Utah State Capital on a rural day. Furthermore, rural Day on the Utah Capitol Hill is not an easy day, but the rewards are great. Participants receive their list of appointments during an early morning briefing on the issues, then move through a full day of meetings with Representatives, Senators, and their staff. Some meetings are very successful, some are not. But together they create an impression and help build the momentum our professional representatives need to secure Congressional action on the issues that are most important to the health and prosperity of our businesses.
The Small Business Development Center Program of Utah is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC program is also funded in part by the Governors Office of Economic Development (GoED). The Davis/Morgan County Center is also grateful to our sponsors who provide financial assistance and resources. SBDCs provide services through professional business advisors such as: development of business plans; manufacturing assistance; financial packaging and lending assistance; exporting and importing support; disaster recovery assistance; procurement and contracting aid; market research services; aid to 8(a) firms in all stages; and healthcare information.
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House for DynaGrace Enterprises was held on Saturday, Feb 3rd.
DynaGrace Enterprises has moved out of a home-based office into a commercial building in Morgan, Utah. DGE has determined their growth opportunities needed a storefront, and for other legal and regulatory reasons, DGE moved into a beautiful, rural, commercial, building that allows them to be more successful.
A good portion of the community of Morgan, Utah came out to support their ribbon cutting ceremony. DGE loves having a place where prospective clients routinely visit to make a decision to purchase their services. DGE feels they are definitely more professional in a commercial office.
DynaGrace Enterprises was limited on space for doing the services that they really wanted to do such as website design, publishing books, STEM activities for children and a podcast studio. After 12 years working at home, it was time to be more productive in a different environment. Focus and staying on task are the theme for DynaGrace Enterprises in 2018.
According to CEO and Founder, Linda Rawson, “Physically leaving home to go to an office helps us be more efficient and produce more.”
DynaGrace Enterprises has a pure team environment with Jennifer Remund and Linda Rawson
collaborating on upcoming projects. These women have already jumped into the business community. They regularly attend Women in Business events put on by the Northfront Business Resource Center. They also serve on the Morgan County Chamber board. DynaGrace Enterprises participated in the first-ever Festival of Trees put on by the Morgan County Chamber of Commerce.
Linda Rawson states, “We have a singular mission, and that is to make DynaGrace Enterprises a Women-Owned, rural, powerhouse for professional business services. Our Women-Owned business is in the one percent in the State of Utah and we are here to stay and prosper.”
The new address is 298 E 300 N, Morgan, UT 84050. The hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
DynaGrace Enterprises is a 100% Women-Owned Small Business. We provide Information Technology, System Integration, Writing and Business services, quality products and innovative solutions for government and commercial businesses of all sizes.
Customers can learn more about DynaGrace Enterprises by visiting the company’s website at DynaGrace.com or by calling the company directly at 888-676-0058.
Introduction—what is the General Services Administration?
The General Services Administration (GSA) is an executive agency of the US government responsible for managing equipment and property. It was established in 1949 and was tasked with the mandate of purchasing and distributing supplies to all government agencies. This includes maintaining supplies of important materials. Among its functions, the GSA oversees the construction of government buildings. As well as maintaining the various computers and communication devices used by the Federal Government.
Historical perspective of the GSA
July 1, 1949, saw the birth of the GSA. This was made possible by the US President, Harry Truman. Truman created and established the agency to streamline the tedious and administrative work of the Federal Government. The creation of the GSA saw the consolidation of various agencies of government into one federal agency. This included: Public Building Administration, National Archives Establishment, the Office of Contract Settlement, the Bureau of Federal Supply, the federal Work Agency and the War Asset Administration.
As the GSA took charge of government daily administrative needs, it ramped up its efforts in the 1950s by overhauling the White House. It was an effort to restructure and reorient the internal administrative affairs of the government towards achieving good service delivery and thorough maintenance. Thus, the GSA engaged in emergency preparedness by stockpiling materials that will be used in war times. The GSA retained various emergency and management functions that weren’t overhauled until they were later handed over to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1979.
A government-wide intercity system—the Federal Telecommunication System–was created by the GSA in 1960. The problem of obsolete office buildings was addressed in 1962. The Ad Hoc Committee on Federal Office Space recommended a major new building program for better offices in Washington DC. That led to the construction of most of the office buildings that now dominate Independence Avenue.
Further events in the 1970s to 1980s
After the major progress made in the 1960s, President Nixon came onboard. In 1970, his administration created the Consumer Product Information Coordinating Center, which later became the Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC). The body was responsible for the distribution of millions of consumer information publications from its facility located in Pueblo, Colorado.
Source: Canva (DynaGrace Enterprises Machelle L)
The Federal Buildings Fund was established, in 1971. It became operational in 1974 after the GSA gave out its rent bills for the first time to federal agencies. The GSA continues to deliver on its powers. In 1972, it established the Automated Data and Telecommunications Service. After 10 years, it later transformed into the Office of Information Resources Management.
The GSA also Created the Office of Federal Management Policy in 1973, and in 1978. It centralizes procurement policy through its Office of Acquisition Policy.
After the GSA introduced the use of charge cards to the federal government in 1984, with over 3 million cardholders on its Smartpay Program, the GSA opened its first ever child care center in 1987. The body now manages over 110 federal child care facilities covering over 8,000 children across the country.
GSA performance in the modern era
In 1994, the GSA through its Public Building Service introduced the Designed Excellence Program. This was in order to guide its selection of engineers and architects for major government projects. The Courthouse Management Group formed by the GSA in 1995 duly managed courthouse constructions.
Since the year 2000, GSA showed they embraced new technology and innovations like the internet for effective running of government activities. The GSA uses the internet to aid the administration of President George W. Bush in 2001, 2007 and 2009, under subsequent administrations. Also in line with global trends.
The year 2010 and 2013 saw the GSA completing over 500 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects across all 50 states, as well as increased IT spending. The GSA also introduced lots of initiative programs from 2011 to 2017. Such as the Technology Transformation Services, which is consolidating the efforts of the agency towards technology.
The GSA has been a remarkable government agency that covers the national administrative life of the US government.
