Vic Gustafson - State Civil Defense

Air dates: Sunday, December 4, 2011, 7:30 p.m.

Repeats: Monday, December 5 & 12, 2011, 1:00 p.m.

Channel: Olelo, Ch. 54

Next up on Jordan's Journal, Rep. Jo Jordan talks with Vic Gustafson, interim vice director at State Civil Defense. The vice director is responsible for managing the state's emergency and homeland security activities.

The agency is under the Governor's Office with a staff of 62 people. They prepare for emergencies and establish warning systems. They coordinate with the four county civil defense agencies which respond to emergencies through county police and fire. They assess damage, and, if needed, they also coordinate with FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to receive assistance if a situation has been declared an emergency by the President.

Waianae flooding in 2008 - photo via Maile21, Senator Maile Shimabukuro

Given that Rep. Jordan represents District 45 - Waianae, Makaha, Makua - she asks Gustafson to talk specifically about the civil defense response for the massive rain and flooding on the Waianae Coast in 2008.

*Learn about man-made causes of flooding and how residents can help to alleviate extensive flooding.

*Learn how to get out of harm's way. Two inches of flowing water on a roadway can sweep cars into streams.

*Learn about the upcoming Puuhulu Stream Cleanup, December 10, 2011, 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Puuhulu Stream is in the Lualualei area.

*Learn about how to get information on disposing unwanted items the proper way. Let others know that there is an alternative to illegal dumping that contributes to clogging up our streams and roadways.

For more information on this show, contact Rep. Jordan at 808-586-8460 or email at repjordan@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Rep Jordan's videos on other subjects may be viewed on Vimeo.