By RDG Director of Innovation and Research Doug Radcliff
My hometown in the United States, Hendersonville, North Carolina, was recently hit by Hurricane Helene. It was tough hearing about it from Paris while my mom held down the fort in Hendersonville. The disaster caused me to think about how communities respond and recover from natural disasters.
When a State declares a disaster, the federal government responds. Interestingly, recovery typically begins simultaneously with emergency response activities. The recovery process emphasizes “restoring, redeveloping, and revitalizing communities impacted”. The recovery support functions include Infrastructure Systems, Economics, Community Planning and Capacity Building, Natural and Cultural Resources, and Housing.
But how do the local communities themselves respond? Typically with lots of volunteers for one! Citizens in many ways are the first responders and have the greatest initial opportunity to provide support. The local community themself is also in many ways better prepared for immediate response, depending on the situation or disaster. This is due to how residents are able to better identify the immediate needs as well as contributing to decision making on future community initiatives. It is also important to maintain a strong recovery fund and be prepared, financially speaking, for disasters.
Let’s look at the ongoing recovery efforts of Helene. There has been more than $408 million from the Biden Administration in support, with several ongoing tasks in need of attention. There is the removal of the debris, and rebuilding infrastructure (power and cellular towers, roads, lands, etc.), providing shelter to those who have lost theirs, as well as ensuring an adequate supply of commodities, food and water.
North Carolina has responded by extending social benefits as well as responding with the NC National Guard. In addition to other support efforts, Henderson County, NC, has opened up several recovery funds on local and regional levels. On a city level, Hendersonville is doing their best to provide the most up to date information available, from garbage collection, debris collection, business recovery, scam awareness, safety reminders, etc.
It seems there are several simultaneous responses, all with their own individual, yet connecting and crossing over agendas. The Federal government provides financial support, as well as support at almost all levels. The State government is sending in the National Guard and extends social benefits, whereas the local and county level governments are focusing on initial disaster response and recovery efforts, collecting donations, ensuring information availability, and beginning planning efforts for the future.
A more pertinent question perhaps, is what is a Chambers’ or EDO’s role in disaster resilience and recovery? Chambers and EDOs have the ability to play a major role. On a general level by acting as a bridge between the private enterprises, the public sector, and the community; the Chambers’ role begins with awareness and education. Through providing seminars, webinars, or workshops on topics such as emergency response planning or risk assessment and analysis, Chambers can help the citizens of local communities proactively prepare. Continuing, Chambers have a unique speciality in resource mobilization. Chambers have the ability to pool resources and encourage local businesses to support recovery efforts. By establishing a centralized hub, resource availability and swift action responses become more of a reality.
Moreover, Chambers have the ability to act as a catalyst for collaboration. Through forging partnerships with non-profit organizations, emergency services, local governments, and other stakeholders, the best, most unified response can be developed. As one would expect, Chambers and EDOs have a unique position in economic resilience and development planning. They can support local businesses through developing and implementing these plans, including for example, strategies for accessing financial aid, mitigating risks, and even perhaps continuing operations during disruptions and disasters. Finally, Chambers have a great ability to create and maintain communication networks with the community members and businesses with real-time information and directives.
It seems a Chambers’ or EDO’s response and role might include three steps. Step one is preparedness, step two is the immediate response, and step three is the long-term recovery. The US Chamber Foundation, ACCE, and IEDC provide several recommendations and resources.
All in all, the best response is unique to every situation, but always includes collaboration between the local, state and federal governments, as well as teamwork with other local communities and neighboring states. And lots of volunteers!
Following weeks without power and limited water, cell service and internet, things are slowly getting back to normal, at least for some. Many essential businesses, such as groceries, etc., will be closed for months as they rebuild and recover and for many, it will be a long-term recovery. If you wish to help, here are some organizations that are helping lead the recovery effort:
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