Disaster Recovery and Environmental Justice in Region 5

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as:

The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. When environmental justice is achieved everyone enjoys:

• The same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards; and
• Equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn and work.

After natural disasters, communities begin the process of long-term recovery that will impact quality of life for years to come. How can communities ensure that their recovery priorities include the lens of environmental justice? How can we build additional resilience into the recovery priorities? How can stakeholders ensure access to decision making for survivors, understanding that many will be struggling with their personal disaster recovery?

Join us for a discussion among subject matter experts across the disaster recovery and environmental justice sectors on these important topics and questions.

Speakers Include:

Facilitator: Kehla West, Climate Resilience Officer, FEMA Region 5

Mark Durno, Homeland Security Adviser, EPA Region 5

Courtney Rutledge, Disaster Recovery/Relief Paralegal, Housing and Urban Development / Legal Aid of Western Ohio

About this series:

As the climate crisis continues to transform response, recovery and resilience, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is developing a unified approach to address the impacts of climate change across all agency programs and operations. FEMA’s strategic plan includes FEMA Region 5 is hosting quarterly events to increase awareness around climate adaptation and resilience. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or collaboration opportunities.

If you would like to submit a question to our speakers ahead of time, click here

Zoom Information:

https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1606534817

Meeting ID: 160 653 4817

Passcode: 921092

Speaker Bio

Courtney Rutledge

As a legal and political communication scholar, policy strategist, and advocate, Courtney is a proud graduate of Jackson State University, a Research-1 Historically Black College, and Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Her research interest in policy and rhetorical communication theory has targeted the deficiencies surrounding the communicative branding of natural disasters that affect minority populations and the model of social intervention. Certified in public management and leadership, her excellence in public policy has allowed her to serve: The Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, the Mississippi Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project, the DCI Political Communication Group and ultimately, The U.S. House of Representatives House Committee on Homeland Security, and the Congressional office of Congressman Bennie G. Thompson. Solidifying her commitment to equal justice and environmental parity, Courtney currently serves Legal Aid of Western Ohio and Advocates for Basic Legal Equality. Courtney is a U.S. EPA, Region 5, Environmental Justice Academy Fellow

Mark Durno

Mark Durno received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. At EPA, Mark has served as an On Scene Coordinator, Supervisor, and Deputy Chief in the Emergency Response Branch of the Superfund Program in Region 5 since 1997. He currently serves as Regional Homeland Security Advisor. As part of his Homeland Security work, Mark coordinates Region 5’s Continuity of Operations and Disaster Recovery programs.

Mark’s efforts have included numerous emergency response actions to chemical and oil spills in Region 5; support to national counter-terrorism planning and exercises; and, international biological response planning. Notably, Mark has worked on or coordinated major incidents, including the Capitol Hill Anthrax response in Washington, D.C; Hurricane Katrina/Rita disaster response in Louisiana; and, the Flint Drinking Water Incident in Michigan. For his accomplishments, Mark was named EPA’s National On-Scene Coordinator of the Year in 2007, received a Gold Medal for Exceptional Service in 2017, and received EPA’s National Homeland Security Award in 2022