Councilwoman Rocha Garcia to Attend NALEO National Policy Institute on Emergency Preparedness

April 20, 2022 - San Antonio

By Jade Esteban Estrada, Co-Editor | San Antonio Sentinel

District 4 Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia has been awarded a travel and lodging scholarship to attend the NALEO National Policy Institute on Emergency Preparedness for 21st Century Hazards in Chicago from April 21-22, 2022. 

Effective emergency and disaster response planning entails an ongoing process of updating plans, responding to local, state, and federal policy changes, and updated understanding about hazards and implementation of best practices. Local policymakers have the opportunity to play a leadership role in these efforts by facilitating and supporting collaboration across levels of government and helping to establish key partnerships across sectors before a disaster occurs in order to advance disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. 

The institute’s curriculum will cover: Understanding Federal, State, and Local Roles During Emergencies; Identifying Hazards and Mitigation Planning; Building Disaster Resilient Communities; Best Practices for Improving Emergency Plans and Preparedness in both a classroom and experiential learning setting with opportunities for participants to network with colleagues and experts from throughout the country. 

“After forming part of the Committee on Emergency Preparedness last year and helping develop the final report submitted to the full City Council last June, I’ve made it a priority to learn from peer cities and experts from across the country who are sharing best-practices and strategies to build resilient communities,” stated the councilwoman. “Together we can find potential solutions as we tackle a range of challenges and learn from the past experiences like Winter Storm Uri.” 

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The impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continues to reverberate across the country. At the same time, a growing number of states, cities, and local communities are facing compounding emergencies because of extreme weather and climate-related disasters. As hazards and challenges evolve, the NALEO National Policy Institute on Emergency Preparedness for 21st Century Hazards aims to enhance Latino policymakers’ ability to confront the convergence of multiple emergencies, understand infrastructure funding, and utilize strategies to increase resiliency amid weather and climate-related disasters. After the convening, participants will be invited to join a follow-up virtual session that will take place in September 2022 as part of this curriculum.

Jade Esteban Estrada is a co-editor for the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | Twitter: @satx_writer