Communities in the United States are becoming more vulnerable to major disasters and recent studies have concluded that the public is not confident that government can respond to disasters effectively and not confident that government is as prepared as it should be.

With a winter season filled with the potential of ice and snowstorms quickly approaching, being prepared for such challenges can make your community resilient. Here are our best resources to assist you in preparing for disaster-related challenges.

FEATURED RESOURCES

Emergency Management: Principles and Practice for Local Government, 2nd Edition (e-Document) 
Learn the five response-related principal challenges that are critical to the effectiveness of an emergency response plan in relation to disaster response, including: (1) understanding the responses of citizens to disasters, (2) managing the convergence of resources and people on the disaster scene, (3) limiting the likelihood of role abandonment by emergency workers who are responding to the demands of disaster operations, (4) obtaining disaster declarations, and (5) addressing communications among responders during operations. BUY NOW

Disaster Preparedness (e-Document)
This e-document discusses disaster preparedness as a function of local government and includes guidance on risk assessments, emergency operations planning, first responder training, disaster exercises, public education and other steps to be taken in anticipation of potential disasters. BUY NOW

Evaluating Financial Condition: A Handbook for Local Government, 4th Edition (e-Document)
Has your government analyzed its needs for reserves to respond to a natural disaster or emergency? This e-document includes a chapter on how to determine if your community lacks financial preparation for predictable natural disasters. BUY NOW

FREE RESOURCES

Disaster Recovery: A Local Government Responsibility (Article)
After a major disaster, the recovery process takes months and even years to bring a community back to a "new normal" and as strong as or better than before the disaster. Learn the four ways to master disaster recovery for your community by reading this article from PM Magazine. READ NOW

A Networked Approach to Improvements in Emergency Management (White Paper)
Outlines a collaborative and coordinated approach as an alternative to the traditional “command and control” systems put into place to respond to disasters. READ NOW

1 Waugh Jr., Williams L. and Kathleen Tierney (2007) "Local emergency management in the post-9/11 world" (p. 5). ICMA, Washington, D.C.