Hurricane Godzilla (Lower Manhattan)
Course Context: 12th grade Public Policy and Complex Problem-Solving; City 2.0.
This Storm Simulation is the culminating activity in our unit facilitating understanding of Manhattan
infrastructure and climate change. You have completed a white paper recommending one mitigation
efforts or adaptation in your infrastructure re: climate changes over the next 50-75 years. You have
just completed building a scale model of Manhattan from Canal Street south. You have been
assigned to represent an agency and have researched to learn about its Mission, Function (how does it
work) and available Resources. You will become acquainted with the stories of and lessons learned
from Katrina and Sandy.
Agencies:
FDNY (Fire Dept New York), - Lower Man Sector/Overall
NYPD (New York Police Dept) Lower Man Sector/Overall
OEM NY (Office of Emergency Management)-Lower Manh “Field”/Operations Center
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Health Dept. (incl. hospitals)
Sanitation (& Parks)
Education (schools become shelters)
Private Sector (Verizon/Time Warner, Food Distributors-restaurants, supermarkets, financial
markets- stock exchange & big banks, real estate/hotels)
ConEd
City Hall (assists Mayor by gathering intel)
DEP (Dept. of Environmental Protection (NYC)
DEC (Dept. of Environmental Conservation (state)
USCG (US Coast Guard)
ACE (Army Corps of Engineers)
DOT (Dept of Transportation)
MTA (Metro Transit Authority)
Port Authority
Econ. Development Corp (voice of public and business)
NY/VOAD NGO (National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters: incl. Red Cross)
SCHEDULE
January 5:
Agencies set resource capability (what do you have) and capacity (what is functionally
operational and for how long) i.e., the CG has 78 boats, but can only keep twelve of them
operational at a time for a 12-hour shift. Or, the NYPD has 12 jet-skis, but only three people are
trained to use them. Or, FDNY has trucks full of medical response equipment but only enough
trained staff for a few at a time. Do not worry too much about actual numbers!!! Make an
educated guess as to appropriate proportions.
January 5 and 6:
Agencies discuss which of the Functional Operations Groups (FOG) they will participate in,
based on their agency’s functions:
Safety (protecting people from something) and Security (securing something from ppl)
Utilities (incl. communication)
Transportation
Recovery (incl. Medical)
Decision-making/communication process: Identify Unified Command and describe its
function. Create decision-making protocols within and among agencies. Who answers to
whom? Who will represent the agency to FOG and Unified Command? Where can you go when
your own resources cannot meet your objectives? How can Design Thinking assist your process?
Simulation Day: January 7
(contingency date January 8)
0800-0900: Unified Command (UC) announces: Storm is 48 hours away. UC will describe its
magnitude, predicted track pushing into the New York Bight, likely tides and storm surge. Each
agency prepares an Action Plan:
A. What are your priorities during this 48 hours?
B. Identify two-three objectives per priority
C. Identify likely obstacles in the way of objectives and the strategies for overcoming them.
D. What resources do you have? What agencies are you likely to work closely with? How?
E. What are your limitations? What more will be needed?
F. Reports to FOG (through google doc?)
0900-0945: FOGs Report out to UC: “Command & General Staff Meeting”
A. Summarize A-E in 2-minute pitch. UC may ask essential questions. (25-30 min)
Agencies reiterate Action Plans based on UC suggestions and responses
B. Rep’s from all agencies listen in for opportunities to assist, set up interagency protocols
0945: Rep’s from all agencies create press releases and recommendations for Mayor’s
press conference
0950: Mayor’s Press Conference
1000-1200: Hurricane makes Landfall and UC summarizes situation, advises, and
Updates the storm.
In three 30-minute cycles…
A. Expect Situation Update Cards from UC to test your priorities and planning
B. Expect that the updates might require interagency cooperation (FOGs)
20
C.
D.
E.
minutes to respond to SUC:
Identify two-three objectives per priority
Identify likely obstacles in the way of objectives and the tactics for overcoming them.
What resources do you have? What agencies are you likely to work closely
with? How?
F. What are your limitations? What more will be needed? Use google-doc to keep FOG
informed
10-minute Command & General Staff Meeting between FOGs and UC
1140: Prep the Mayor; Mayor’s Press Conference
1200 -1400: Recovery Period (storm is over)
In 30-minute cycles…
A. Expect Situation Update Cards from UC to test your priorities and planning
B. Expect that the updates might require interagency cooperation (FOGs)
20 minutes to respond to SUC:
C. Identify two-three objectives per priority
D. Identify likely obstacles in the way of objectives and the tactics for overcoming them.
E. What resources do you have? What agencies are you likely to work closely with? How?
F. What are your limitations? What more will be needed? Use google-doc to keep FOG
informed
10-minute Command & General Staff Meeting with FOGs and UC
1400-1420: Prep the Mayor; Mayor’s Press Conference
1420-1500: FOGs Make Long-term Recovery Recommendations / Wide Interagency
Brainstorm
January 8:
Discussion of Public Response to Long-Term Recovery / Begin Creating After Action Report
January 9:
Reflect on individual and team growth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*SAMPLE SITUATION UPDATE CARD
A gas explosion causes a fire and power outage at NYU hospital. Most generators
damaged by explosion. Fire hydrants flooded.
Priorities/Objectives:
Tactics:
Resource Assets (may incl. other agencies):
Limitations:
Success/Failure/why: