Resilience
is often framed as the length of time it takes to “recover” from a shock to the
structure (i.e. hazard/disaster). There is an over emphasis on the speed of
recovery versus the quality of recovery. (Haas, Kates and Bowden 1977 /
Olshansky 2008).
With that
said, community resilience is the capability to anticipate risk, limit impact,
and bounce back rapidly through survival, adaptability, evolution, and growth
in the face of turbulent change.
Currently,
United States disaster assistance policy creates dependence and remains largely
top down following disasters – does not foster resilience and / or sustainable
development. Community resilience takes the opposite approach, bottom up or
grass roots efforts. By engaging all members of the community through their
respective leaders, each member can understand how they become part of this
resilience movement.
Experience
has shown again and again that lives can be saved, damage to property can be
reduced significantly, and economic recovery can be accelerated by making the
proper preparations and plans BEFORE a disaster occurs.
More
importantly, community resilience investments made by the businesses and
citizens of your community will enhance and strengthen the economic structure,
stability and future of your community regardless of when a disaster may
strike. As we all know, we can accomplish more together as a group than as
individuals.
The good
news is that your community can take the responsibility for alleviating the
impact of disasters. Your country elected officials, businesses, and involved
citizens can do their part to protect themselves. The reasons may be different
in every case: to ensure the safety of citizens; to prevent damage to facilities
and delays of business; to protect families and homes. But the desired results
are the same —a safer future for your community.
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