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. . . PPOO-ll Diana L. McClure, Ass't vp Showcase Programs & Special Projects Institute for Business & Home Safety 175 Federal St., Suite 500 Boston, MA 02110 (617) 292-2003 x216 Using the Disaster Recovery Period and Process to Build Local Sustainability Although the disaster recovery period/process can be used to foster certain components of sustainability - e.g. environmental quality, economic vitality, quality of life and responsibility to future generations - the drive to return to nonnalcy and the emotional stress peopie are experiencing impede the process. The more that communities undertake planning for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction ahead of time, the more likely they will support sustainable redevelopment and recovery. This means that in "peace time," state and local govemments must initiate the processes of hazard identification and risk assessment, public education, consensus and partnership building, visioning, and identification of risk- reducing activities. This is the common vision of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Planning Association (APA), and many others engaged in initiatives to reduce losses from natural hazard events. The mission of IBHS - a national nonprofit supported by property insurers that write the majority of the business in the United States - is to reduce injuries, deaths, property damage, economic loss and human suffering caused by natural disasters. The Showcase State for Natura/ Disaster Resistance and Resilience program is central to IBHS' mission. Composed of 14 elements, it provides an organized, systematic management approach for all levels of government and the private sector to bring together resources - both human and financial - to prepare for and minimize the impact of natural disasters on people, property, the economy and the environment. The Rhode Island Showcase State for Disaster Resistance and Resilience, implemented by Governor Lincoln Almond's Executive Order in December 1998, is the first of its kind in the country. A Steering Committee composed of diverse public and private sector interests with authority and accountability to implement the Order, has been focusing on the following key elements for sustainable recovery: . Hazard. risk and vulnerability assessment - l.ocal mitigation strategies that are institutionalizing natural hazard loss reduction into state-mandated community comprehensive plans wili be complemented by a statewide hazard/risklvulnerability assessment. The assessment is currently under development by Odeh Engineers, Inc., a private sector partner of the Showcase State, and it will be used to prioritize statewide mitigation actions ahead of time. In addition, communities will be able to link reconstruction policies with those already in their local comprehensive plans, and thereby minimize the emotional conflicts inherent in the chaos of developing post-disaster recovery strategies. . Land Use and Buildina Codes - Where and how we build are keys to preventing or minimizing loss, and are essential components of sustainable recovery. Local comprehensive plans, incorporating natural hazards into future development decisions, tackle the "where we build." Among other initiatives, the State Building Commission is considering adoption of a rehabilitation code to trigger disaster-resistant protection during rehabilitation of a building, beyond what is currently required. . Public education - Unless the public is aware of the hazards, risks and vulnerability it faces, it will not be motivated to take protective action. Child care center safety upgrades are being used as a springboard to develop a larger public awareness campaign, and to link to business recovery needs _ since child care is essential for employees to return to work. . Business Continuitv - The Governor held a meetin9 with CEOs of major companies, and Showcase partners held a large statewide business meeting to identify potential business recovery issues. Key results were to work with Chambers of Commerce and to concentrate on small businesses. A number of targeted partnerships, meeting private sector needs, are currently under development.