Andrew Klaus, CPCU, ARM’s Post

interesting! Building resilient communities is top of mind for my MIPM program. Here's a toolkit that communities can use:

September is Disaster Preparedness Month. As of June 2024, 68% of designated Main Street districts are within census tracts identified as climate vulnerable, and our research has found that 75% of the Main Street Network has experienced a major disaster in the past five years. To help Main Streets prepare for and respond to these risks, we created the Main Street Disaster and Resilience Toolkit. Developed in partnership with the National Park Service and others, this resource provides information to help communities understand local vulnerabilities, mitigate their impacts, and respond to events as they occur. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Xjm2k6

Our Main Street communities are vulnerable to the impacts of #climatechange. 🌪 ⛈ 🏜 So we're honored to have contributed to Main Street America's new toolkit aimed at helping towns plan for, prepare for, and recover from natural #disasters. 💡 Talking about a looming crisis can be overwhelming and scary, causing people to back away rather than step forward. 💡And, even today, conversations that start with terms like “global warming" can be alienating—either because someone might not agree with the framing or they don’t want to step into what feels like a polarized space. 💡To make the kind of changes necessary for your community to thrive in the future means getting a variety of people on board with your process and plans. 💡💡💡Check out the tips Dr. Tiffany Manuel developed specifically for Main Street managers and other leaders of local commercial districts on pages 14 and 15 of the toolkit. 👇 And reach out to us if you want to talk about building will for actions that lead to thriving communities and planet. 🌍

"Without a comprehensive preparedness plan in place and tools to support both short- and long-term recovery efforts, the physical and economic impacts of disasters can be devastating." September is Disaster Preparedness Month. The Main Street Disaster and Resilience Toolkit provides information to help communities understand local vulnerabilities, mitigate their impacts, and respond to events as they occur. https://bit.ly/3Xjm2k6

Is your city prepared for a disaster? 🌍🏙️ With urban areas facing growing risks, disaster preparedness is more important than ever. Learn about the strategies and technologies that can safeguard communities from natural and man-made disasters. Stay ahead with proactive planning! 🚨🔗 Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/gQ2Rz9Ku #Lyceum #DisasterPreparedness #UrbanSafety

In honor of National #Preparedness Month, Main Street America, an amazing organization committed to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life, has just released its #Disaster and #Resilience Toolkit. Highlights of the toolkit include the Building Opportunity on Main Street (BOOMS) Tracker, an inventory template that includes several helpful tips on how to conduct a building survey, and an inventory of disaster planning tools including FEMA’s OPEN (Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs Training). Part 1 of the toolkit explains how to get oriented, get informed, and get started. That begins with understanding risks to your region. An easy first step, according to Main Street America, is to leverage FEMA’s National Risk Index for Natural Hazards (NRI) tool and Community Disaster Resilience Zone (#CDRZ) designations. Part 2 describes how to build connections, protect your priorities, and fund opportunities. Several of the grant programs mentioned in Part 2, including FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (#BRIC) grant program, the Department of Transportation’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Community Change Grants Program also support the nation’s most at risk and in need communities, as designated by FEMA as Community Disaster Resilience Zones. Last, but not least, Part 3 shows how to take stock, find your footing, and rebuild better. This includes a three-step guide to documenting damage and a much-needed reminder that celebrations and events that bring the community together are just as critical to recovery as cleanup and construction. Consider pairing Main Street America’s Disaster and Resilience Toolkit with FEMA’s new National Resilience Guidance to deepen your understanding of how to help people before, during, and after disasters. https://lnkd.in/eSKzrTzx

When it comes to natural disasters, we often think there is no such thing as being too prepared. An interesting paradox exists, though. Studies have found that a high level of trust in authorities can lead to community complacency. If governments, municipalities, and first responders frequently speak in detail about all of the plans and operations being undertaken to prepare and protect a community during a natural disaster, community members can feel reassured by those plans and consequently less likely to undertake their own personal disaster preparedness. In order to strike the right balance, research shows that disaster preparedness communication needs to include these four key components: 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 While too much trust can lead to complacency, too little can be dangerous. Municipalities and first responders should speak about preparedness plans, evacuation routes, shelter locations, and more. Authorities need to communicate what the public can and can’t realistically expect in the first 72 hours of a disaster and beyond. 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 When they communicate to the public that there are solid plans in place in the event of a disaster, authorities should reinforce the message that community members need to 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 prepare for disasters. Messages about why preparedness is important and about the positive impact that preparation can have are especially impactful. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 When asked why they don’t prepare for a disaster, more than 50% of people said that it was because they didn’t know how or what to prepare. Easy-to-understand instructions and checklists can help people get started with disaster planning. Encourage people to start with the easy things first. A little preparedness is better than no preparedness. 𝐁𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 While certain communities might be prone to wildfires and floods every year, studies show that people can become complacent about the risks if preparedness information isn’t updated to reflect the 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 risks. Speak to community members about this year’s risks and any updated preparedness plans. #disasterpreparedness #publicrelations #emergencycommunications

"What the data tell us is that the frequency and severity of #disasters at local-state scales is increasing with rural, suburban, and urban places being affected nationwide." Susan Cutter, co-director of the Hazards Vulnerability and Resilience Institute at the University of South Carolina, emphasizes the need for enhancing #resilience to reduce their impacts on people. On the other hand, Samantha Montano, a professor of #emergencymanagement at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, highlights the crucial role of state and local policies in either creating or minimizing risk for future disasters. #riskmitigation #mitigationnation #disastermitigation #disasterpreparedness #disastermanagement #stateandlocalpolicy #flooding 📖 Read more about this important discussion on disaster preparedness and resilience ⤵️

Hurricanes Helene and Milton highlight the need for disaster preparedness. Read the blog below to find out how disaster preparedness can save your business after a storm. https://lnkd.in/eUF-d--H

As the Cedar River went above flood stage this week, the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance reviewed its emergency plan. We don't expect to be in any danger this time around, but we have had to evacuate our riverside building in #DowntownCedarRapids twice in the 12 years we've been here. Most of our flood plain neighbors also have done much to prepare their buildings and properties, and to be ready. And, of course, the ultimate in natural disaster preparedness is underway with the $700M+ flood protection system being put in place by the #CityofCedarRapids and the #USArmyCorpofEngineers. This new report from the #USChamberofCommerce confirms the significant economic impact of preparedness - for communities, for companies and for individuals. Do your part. https://lnkd.in/g7Ge8VsZ