Franklin ’76 points to Katrina to stress need for advance planning
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is a convincing reason to emphasize the need for creating strong communities and for planning in advance for natural emergencies, Evangeline Franklin ?76 said in her lecture on Friday.Franklin, who serves as emergency preparedness manager of the city of New Orleans, was the medical director in the Superdome, a stadium which served as a temporary housing facility for people fleeing their homes before the hurricane.?A community prepared requires the personal commitment of each individual,? she explained.The presentation, entitled ?The City of New Orleans in Disaster and Recovery,? focused on the hurricane-caused devastation in New Orleans and the various efforts to manage the aftermath.Franklin began by pointing out various disasters that could occur or have occurred near audience members? hometowns and reminded students that everyone could potentially be affected by a mass disaster.