This candid, public assessment of a N.J. mayor and his actions during the response to H. Sandy reinforces what many of us have been saying for many years, even decades: putting out a major effort and really caring are not enough. Learning about disasters can be achieved from the experiences of others. Those of us in the research community have been trying to get this message across for a long time.
This is one of the first comparative assessments I have seen in the media so far. Hurricane Sandy response: Some towns handled the crisis well, others did not; NJ.com, November 11, 2012. The article begins as follows:
When Mayor Bill Akers reviews the way tiny Seaside Heights responded to Hurricane Sandy he is unsparing in his criticism. Of Bill Akers.
“I could have done a lot better,” he said. “I was overwhelmed. I know I have my shortcomings, but it’s not for lack of effort and not for lack of caring.”
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