In numerous conversations lately, I sense that the new administration is struggling with a common problem as it searches for the way it will deal with the theme of resilience particularly in the area of public/private sector coordination and cooperation. The basic issue is one that we at CARRI have recognized and similarly struggled with since we began our resilience work. I usually describe it as, “get it right or get it now?”

Hurricane season will be here in just a few days. All of us want to be better prepared than we were last year with new systems, processes and collaborations in place. The reality of a fast approaching season of recurring, predictable natural disaster provides the imperative to do something visible now. The reality of our system of government is that we will not make productive, large-scale changes to our national systems before this season begins.

Resilience is a complex topic whether at the national, regional or community level. For our governments, it is a new way of looking at the old issues surrounding the response to natural disasters. While there are certainly things that can be done quickly based on lessons learned, we will not build a complete system of resilience quickly. Bringing together workshops of experts for a few days may advance our understanding of what needs to be done; they will not provide the answers necessary to fully inculcate resilience into our systems. Hastily organized and promulgated programs developed in isolation within the Washington beltway may demonstrate that our leaders understand the urgency of the issues; they will not quickly translate into accepted practice and meaningful progress at the local level – particularly if they are not funded. read the entire article >

There is no commonly accepted national framework for identifying resilient communities or for assisting communities to self-assess and then work toward a state of resilience in a methodical, systematic approach assisted by accepted tools and processes so as to reap the economic and social benefits of becoming resilient. Understanding what a common framework would entail and creating a solid starting point for a national discussion has been a goal of CARRI from its inception. Establishing such a common framework is best done, in partnership, at the local, grass-roots level and in a broad-based manner that is inclusive of all elements of the community fabric – governmental, private business, associational, non-profit and faith-based – rather than top-driven by the federal government.

In many communities and regions across the United States there are initiatives, policies, plans, and technologies under development at the local and regional level that are realistic, practical, and focused on community needs. These labors have been started by business groups, local or state government officials, research institutions, economic development associations or non-profits but have not yet been coordinated to achieve a broad-based, grass-roots driven, commonly accepted result. It is time to bring all these efforts together in a national effort to establish the framework that can guide communities as they work systematically to become more resilient.

CARRI strongly supports the establishment of a National Commission on Regional and Community Resilience composed of elected governors, elected mayors, appropriate representatives of national organizations and associations and representatives of private business to supervise the creation of common framework for community and regional resilience that meets the needs of our citizens, businesses and governments, and voluntary and faith-based organizations; provides an understanding of and agreed upon terminology for community and regional resilience; examines how communities and regions can collaborate to achieve and sustain cost-effective resilience; and recommends to governments at all levels policies that are required to foster resilient communities.