During a mobile crisis response to a hurricane, what should the team do first?

In the context of a mobile crisis response to a hurricane, reporting to the local command center is critical as it helps ensure that the crisis response team is operating within the established framework and protocol for emergency management. The local command center is responsible for coordinating the overall emergency response, including the distribution of resources, communication with other agencies, and the allocation of assistance to those affected by the disaster.

By reporting in, the crisis team can receive immediate information regarding the current situation, including which areas have been hardest hit, what resources are available, and any specific instructions from emergency management officials. This step is essential to establish a coordinated response effort that aligns with other services available in the community, ensuring that efforts to assist individuals affected by the hurricane are effective and organized.

The other actions, while important, come after communicating with the local command center. For instance, contacting other social service agencies or distributing flyers might be relevant later on; however, they should be informed by the directives from the local command center to avoid duplication of efforts and to ensure that the response is focused where it is needed most. Knocking on doors to find clients may also take place later, but this should be guided by the information obtained from the command center about the affected areas.