Voices of experience suggest ...

Richard Riordan

L.A. mayor during the 1994 Northridge earthquake

First, one person should be in charge -- and forget bureaucratic rules and just get it done. Second, bring in the private sector immediately. Third, involve everybody in the city in developing a plan to return to normalcy. “We had a motto: ‘It’s much easier to get forgiveness than permission, so just do it.’ And I never had to ask for forgiveness.”

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Pat Owens

Mayor of Grand Forks, N.D., when a flood destroyed the town of 50,000 in 1997

First, save lives at all costs. Second, take care of people’s bare essentials -- and that includes mind and body. Third, get your government in line on how to proceed and make sure neighborhoods are secure. Citizen involvement is crucial in the aftermath of disaster because government can’t do it alone.

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Art Agnos

San Francisco mayor during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

First, assess damage and secure vulnerable areas. Second, assist and comfort victims and their families as keep worried relatives and residents informed of developments. Third, identify and document rebuilding costs to facilitate public and private disaster assistance while everyone is paying attention. In all this, creativity in the relief response is important.

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Lee Brown

Houston mayor during 2001 flooding that killed 18

First, recognize that you have a state of emergency, then declare it and move to save lives. Second, implement your disaster-response plan. Third, work to return the community to normalcy by communicating with the public and providing very visible leadership. “In our case, the religious community really stepped forward.”

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Richard Andrews

Director of the state Office of Emergency Services during the 1992 L.A. riots and 1994 Northridge earthquake

First, visible local and state leadership is key. Second, priorities should be clearly articulated and leaders should clearly convey the impression that they are working on them. Third, law enforcement is fundamental because it’s one of many things to let people know something is being done.

- BRENDAN BUHLER AND MICHAEL SOLLER