As part of the ongoing training program conducted by the Emergency Medicine and Support Center in the United States, the delegation of trainees participated today in a field visit to the Buncombe County Emergency Services headquarters. During the visit, local officials reviewed the key operational and logistical challenges they faced in responding to Tropical Storm Helen, which struck the region last September.
The day began with an introductory session led by Deputy County Manager Dakesha Wesley, Emergency Services Director Taylor Jones, and Deputy Director Ryan Cole, who provided an overview of the county’s emergency system structure and its role throughout the storm response and recovery phases.
Later, Public Health Officer Nathan Green discussed the difficulties encountered in opening and operating emergency shelters during the disaster. Elizabeth Oderstol from the Economic Development Department addressed the storm’s impact on local businesses and the measures taken to prevent economic collapse.
A representative from the non-profit organization Hearts with Hands also shared insights into the role of civil society organizations in supporting affected communities.
Following that, Kristie Smith presented on the post-storm debris and waste management strategies, and Brad Hughes, a recovery expert, spoke about community resilience planning and recovery frameworks. Additionally, a joint session by Lillian Goforth and Stacy Wood from the county’s public information team highlighted the challenges of effective public communication during emergencies.
The day concluded with a briefing by IT Director Erik Grau, who outlined the failures of technical systems and communication infrastructure during the storm and the resulting field complications. Afterwards, the delegation conducted a field tour of several affected areas, where they observed the extent of the damage and discussed recovery solutions and mitigation strategies adopted to reduce the long-term impact on residents
