Lessons in Resilience: Disaster Recovery in Our Schools

• By Herschel Acosta, CCM
• 11/18/25

It was the end of summer a few years back when we received the call that my family and I would be relocating to New Orleans, LA, where I would join a disaster recovery program. The event was Hurricane Katrina, and the task was to rebuild the city's public schools.

At the time, I was wrapping up another recovery effort — the renovation of the U.S. Department of Commerce Building in Washington, D.C. — a project funded through the American Recovery and Restoration Act, passed by Congress to stimulate the economy after 9/11. I had not planned that my career would include disaster recovery, but we decided to move to New Orleans and contribute, in our own small way, to the rebuilding of a school system and a community that had endured unimaginable loss.

Disaster is a word we hear often, but few truly experience firsthand. Growing up in Mexico City, I learned early about the power of earthquakes and the need for readiness. Later, living in South Texas and Florida, hurricanes became a disaster to watch for. In Little Rock, AR, the Pine Bluff Arsenal reminded residents of chemical and biological risks. Each place carried its own hazards, its own "what if." Whether visible or invisible, the threat was real enough to demand preparedness.

Over the years, working on disaster recovery projects across the country, I've learned that facility managers play a pivotal role in how well a school weathers and recovers from a crisis. Whether it's a hurricane, a flood, a tornado, or a man-made event, preparation determines resilience.

Below are a few principles that can help facility managers prepare for the disasters we all hope never will come but must always be ready for.

1) Pre-Event Planning

A good offense begins with a strong defense. The foundation of resilience lies in risk assessment, hazard mapping, and training.

Every region has its own threats. Coastal areas face hurricanes, the central U.S. deals with tornadoes, and sadly, schools everywhere must now consider active-shooter scenarios. Other facilities may face chemical hazards from nearby manufacturing plants or recurring flooding. The key is to identify local risks and understand vulnerabilities.

Once the risks are mapped, develop an emergency operations plan tailored to each campus — not a generic binder, but a living document aligned with your district's resources and the capabilities of local fire, police, and emergency response teams.

If possible, conduct walkthroughs with first responders. These site visits often reveal insights that can't be captured in a plan alone. Some districts may even benefit from a central emergency operations hub that coordinates real-time information from all campuses. The more coordination and clarity you build before a crisis, the more confident your team will be when it matters most.

2) During the Event

When a disaster unfolds, communication and calm execution make all the difference.

The biggest hurdle in any emergency is often information — too little, too late. Rumors spread faster than facts, and uncertainty erodes trust. That's why it's critical to establish and test communication protocols in advance. Determine who the spokesperson will be — superintendent, communications director, or a joint task force — and make sure messages are clear, consistent, and timely.

Equally important are the physical response protocols: evacuation, shelter-in-place, and lockdown. Many of us remember fire drills from childhood, but today's risks require broader readiness. Practice both evacuation and shelter-in-place scenarios so that staff and students understand their roles.

One lesson that stands out came from the Columbine tragedy, when responders discovered that some teachers and students didn't know their room numbers during emergency calls. Something as simple as numbering rooms visibly on the interior can make communication faster and more effective when seconds count.

3) Post-Event Recovery

Once the crisis has passed, the work is far from over. Recovery begins with safety inspections and rapid condition assessments to ensure that facilities are structurally sound. Then comes the logistical challenge of restoring learning continuity — through temporary classrooms, remote instruction, or staggered schedules — while repairs are underway.

Prioritize repairs to critical infrastructure first: water, HVAC, IT systems, and power. Document every step for insurance and reimbursement. These records become invaluable when working with FEMA or other agencies.

4) Codes, Costs, and the Fine Print

Resilience is as much about planning as it is about funding. Many states now require storm shelters as part of new school construction or major renovations. I once worked with a North Texas district where new codes mandated that gymnasiums double as tornado shelters. The initial bond program hadn't anticipated that cost increase, and while federal grants were available, they came with strings attached — public access requirements the district wasn't prepared to meet.

That experience reinforced an important lesson: Read the fine print. Every funding source — federal, state, or private — comes with conditions. Understand those obligations early to avoid surprises later.

FEMA, for example, typically funds repairs to restore a building to its pre-disaster condition — not to upgrade it. That distinction matters when planning both immediate recovery and long-term resilience.

Closing Reflections

Working in disaster recovery has taught me that readiness is not just about responding to tragedy — it's about building confidence in a community's ability to endure and rebuild.

Schools are not just facilities; they are centers of life, learning, and hope. When disaster strikes, the speed and quality of recovery depend on foresight, relationships, and disciplined preparation.

Preparedness isn't just a plan — it's a mindset. In the words of President John F. Kennedy, "The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining."

The best time to prepare for the next emergency is now — when the skies are clear and our focus can turn to foresight instead of recovery.