Resilient Counties Initiative
Hurricanes, wildfires, economic collapse and other disasters can be natural or man-made, acute or long-term, foreseeable or unpredictable. Preparation for and recovery from such events requires both long-term planning and immediate action.
NACo works to strengthen county resiliency by building leadership capacity to identify and manage risk, and allow counties to become more flexible and responsive. Through the use of sustainable practices and infrastructure, counties will be better prepared to address these issues in a manner that can minimize the impact on local residents and businesses, while helping counties save money.
Through the initiative, NACo:
- Develops strategies to foster economic growth and competitiveness;
- Educates counties on techniques for implementing resiliency and sustainability strategies;
- Provides tools for counties to educate their communities on resiliency initiatives;
- Identifies ways to leverage changing conditions and take advantage of new technologies and innovation; and
- Facilitates an open exchange with the private sector.
Resource
Emergency Management in County Government: A National Survey
Resource
Intergovernmental Roles and Responsibilities in Disaster Resilience
Reimbursement policy prolongs disaster recovery for counties
Counties that suffer major damage during natural disasters would benefit dramatically from a FEMA Act proposal to do away with reimbursement and instead offer counties recovery grants up front.
FEMA at a crossroads: What county officials need to know about reform efforts
Two overlapping disaster recovery efforts are now unfolding in Washington: a sweeping executive-branch review of FEMA and a bipartisan legislative push to reform the agency through Congress. County officials should understand both tracks, what they could mean for local governments and where each stands today.
Counties regroup after FEMA’s resiliency grant program resumes
As FEMA resumes and restructures its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program, counties are reassessing projects that were put in limbo during its cancellation and creating new hazard mitigation gameplans ahead of its upcoming funding cycle.
NACo endorses bipartisan legislation to help volunteer first responders access affordable housing
On June 10, Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act (S.4737), bipartisan legislation that would help qualified volunteer first responders access affordable housing.
WIR meeting focuses on disaster recovery following Maui wildfire
Drawing an all-time high for the Western Interstate Region Conference, Maui County and its recent wildfire offered attendees a look at a sophisticated recovery effort.
Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force
As disasters intensify across the country, county governments play a crucial role on the frontlines of emergency management and recovery. With a commitment to advancing federal policies that foster collaboration between counties, federal agencies and other intergovernmental partners, the Task Force builds on years of county-led efforts to enhance disaster policies and practices, driving improved outcomes nationwide.
Stay Up-To-Date on the Resilient Counties Initiative
Program Contact
Jennifer Starr
Shelby Butz
Sponsors
