Dr. Lucy Jones Leading a Discussion. Photo from Nancy Liu, Stratiscope.
In an era marked by increasing environmental unpredictability, community resilience has never been more important. One of the Institute for Sustainable Development’s flagship initiatives is the promotion of community resilience networks nationwide, with a notable pilot program emerging from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Together for LA (TFLA). With the generous support of the Wells Fargo foundation, this collaborative effort has been bringing together leaders from both the public and private sectors, all focused on enhancing emergency response and economic development to minimize the impacts of future disasters.
On October 16th, TFLA hosted an earthquake scenario that LA County business leaders and local Chambers are anticipating could have a massive impact on the region’s economy, infrastructure, and future development. This exercise not only highlighted the importance of proactive planning but also helped business, community, and government leaders get to know each other and understand some of the key issues and constraints that each sector will face in response to disaster.
Preparing for the Great ShakeOut
As part of the preparation for the Great Shakeout,—an annual event dedicated to global earthquake preparedness—TFLA's exercise revolved around a hypothetical scenario: a 7.2 magnitude earthquake striking West LA. Esteemed seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones, a globally recognized authority in earthquake safety, crafted and presented the scenario. The event would run east-west through Inglewood and Downtown, breaking many north-south connections and cost the County over $100 billion in socio-economic impacts.
With this sobering scenario in mind, keynote speaker Leslie Luke, Deputy Director of the LA County Department of Emergency Management, stressed the importance of creating trusted networks before such a disaster. The proposed magnitude would impact every agency’s ability to respond, accentuating the importance of preparedness. It is vital that community and neighborhood leaders understand their current needs and develop strategic plans in light of catastrophe.
Panel Discussion. Photo from Nany Liu, Stratiscope.
A Reality Check from the Experts
An insightful panel featuring prominent figures from California County and State agencies—Carol Parks (LA City Emergency Management Department), Abby Browning (California Office of Emergency Services), and Julie Clowes (Small Business Administration)—helped the community leaders gain a better understanding of each of their roles and capabilities. Moderated by John Bwarie from Stratiscope and The Dr. Lucy Jones Center, the discussion emphasized a critical reality; disasters can happen to anyone, anywhere. At the end of the day, communities, homeowners, and small businesses need to be prepared to individually support recovery as huge payouts from outside agencies are not guaranteed. Insurance may be expensive, but it will also be an excellent tool for getting access to cash in the event of a crisis. Organizations–and individuals–have to be sure that they are not only covered but also have the right insurance coverages. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Allstate, recently released a report that estimated for $1 invested in climate and disaster preparedness, $13 is saved in damages and economic impact. Simply put, investing in preparedness strategies and coverage saves money. Yet, it is worth noting that current insurance frameworks cannot cover everything alone, nor are they full-proof guarantees. It is essential to pre-establish partnerships and build a trusted network of local leaders. This allows communities to support one another while also diversifying resources.
Key points of advice included:
Build a Trusted Network – Have pre-established partnerships and contacts, understanding each actor’s role. Acknowledge expertise and determine authorities.
Conduct Risk Assessments – Understand the pre-existing risk of your community. Engage with holistic assessments, including infrastructural, social, economic, and environmental factors to measure the vulnerability of your community and identify current needs.
Stay Up-To-Date with Insurance – Make sure you have the right type of coverage for the scenarios that you are most concerned about. Consider not just earthquakes, but other natural and social disasters too.
Communicate and Engage – Everyone is busy, but it makes sense to practice what you will do in case of emergency 2x a year. Know your network and streamline communication channels, ensuring that everyone knows their role. Establishing reliable networks and communication channels in advance allows for streamlined collaboration when disaster strikes.
The key to reducing your stress and anxiety during a disaster, along with promoting an accelerated recovery, is to make sure you know who you can contact for assistance before it happens. As Julie Clowes aptly stated, “disasters are no place to exchange business cards,” highlighting the necessity of building relationships during non-crisis periods.
Beyond Earthquakes: Lessons for All Disasters
While the TFLA’s exercise focused on earthquakes, the lessons learned are universally applicable to any type of disaster. The insights gained from events like the Earthquake Exercise for Economic Resilience can lay the groundwork for stronger, more prepared communities who are ready to face whatever challenges the future may hold. Proactivity fosters resilience and, ultimately, stronger recoveries.
Join the Conversation
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences related to community resilience and disaster preparedness. What strategies have worked for you in your community? How do you envision building stronger networks for future challenges?
If you are interested in building a community resilience network for your community, please contact us at info@isdus.org.
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