Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina, the City of New Orleans Fire Department initiated a strategic planning process to recover and reconstitute fire and emergency services delivery to the city. A report detailing that planning process, which was accomplished with assistance from the U.S. Fire Administration and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, is now available.

“Recovery and Reconstitution for the New Orleans Fire Department” recounts the planning process that began in mid-October 2005, a little more than one month following Katrina’s landfall. NOFD senior managers and selected staff convened with nationally recognized fire service experts to examine the devastation wrought by Katrina, discuss the immediate impact of fire and emergency services delivery, and decide how to best recover and reconstitute delivery of services to the city.

The process included a review of the current city status, a physical tour of the city by the planning team, a discussion of NOFD strengths-weaknesses-opportunities and challenges, the formation of strategic service delivery areas, and the development of both immediate and long-term goals and objectives.

The immediate goals established by the team focused on re-establishing an acceptable standard of coverage model for the timely delivery of emergency services based on risk assessment (population density, life-safety and property values). Long range goals included attaining fire department accreditation, achieving an Insurance Services Office Class 1 rating, having the appropriate staffing, refurbishing and relocating fire stations to maximize their effectiveness, exploring the delivery of emergency medical services, professional development of all NOFD members, and enhancing the risk management culture through safety practices and built-in residential sprinklers.

The report on this impressive planning action may be downloaded in PDF format here.