Disasters as a “Teachable Moment” Sustainability course (Prof. Tom Chandler) Lecturer: David Abramson, PhD MPH National Center for Disaster Preparedness Columbia Mailman School of Public Health 2 Aug 2011

Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness Risk = (Hazard x Vulnerability) - Adjustments - Response systems death economic loss social disruption failure to recover probability of type pr of duration pr of force pr of magnitude physical (e.g., natural barriers such as wetlands, atmospheric protection) human (social, organizational, political) structural (built environment, critical infrastructure) warning/surveillance land use policy building codes insurance sustainable develop. capacity capability/ functionality inter-organizational connectedness (integration, coordination, communication) equity The Calculus of Disaster Risk

5 Propositions 1.All disasters are local 2.Disasters are political events 3.Disasters are socially-constructed phenomena – And/or, disasters are historical events with social consequences 4.Individual preparedness matters 5.Risk can be managed… but resilience must be cultivated

Disasters are local

6

Disasters are political events

Presidentially Declared Disasters from

Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness Policy Instruments & Direction Homeland Security Act of 2002 National Response Plan / Framework – 15 Emergency Support Functions National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command Structure (ICS) PAHPA 2006 (Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006) Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21) Federal Stafford Act

Disasters are socially-constructed phenomena

Sense of disaster victimization among a cohort of Katrina evacuees Still think of myself as a victim Never thought of myself as a victim Used to think of myself as a victim TOTAL36.0%17.6%46.5% By Race Black White By Household Income <$20k annually >$20k annually

Disasters are socially-constructed phenomena… with historical consequences Santa Barbara earthquake, 1927 Mississippi flood, 1927 Hurricane Andrew, 1992 World Trade Center attack, 2001

Individual preparedness matters

Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness Trends Q: Do you personally feel prepared or very prepared for a major disaster with warning such as a hurricane, flood, or wildfire in your community?

Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness Trends Q: Do you have a family emergency preparedness plan that all family members know about?

Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness Trends Q: Are you concerned or very concerned about the possibility there will be more terror attacks in the US?

Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness Trends Q: Are you confident or very confident in the government to protect the area where you live from a terrorist attack?

Risk can be “engineered,” but resilience must be cultivated

Sources: Accessed on May 20,

Information and Communication Social Capital Community Competence Economic Development Fairness of risk & vulnerability to hazards Flexibility & creativity Equity of resource distribution Received (enacted) social support Perceived (expected) social support Social embeddedness (informal ties) Organizational linkages & cooperation Citizen participation Leadership & roles (formal ties) Sense of community Attachment to place Trusted sources of information Skills & infrastructure Responsible Media Narratives Political partnerships Collective efficacy Empowerment Community action Critical reflection & problem solving skills Level & diversity of economic resources Norris, FH, et al. Community Resilience as a Metaphor, Theory, Set of Capacities, and Strategy for Disaster Readiness. Am J Community Psychol (2008) Mar; 41: