Intergovernmental Collaboration on Disaster Resilience Case Studies Series
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NACo’s “Intergovernmental Collaboration in Disaster Resilience” case study series highlights intergovernmental partnerships that empower local communities to take charge of preparedness, response and recovery, underscoring the critical role of the federal government in strengthening security and resilience nationwide.
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Every year, about one-third of the nation’s counties experience and must recover from natural disasters, often more than once. These events pose major risks to the health and safety of the American people, damage critical infrastructure and result in major economic losses. Counties play an important role in the federal-state-local-tribal partnership; but to fulfill our responsibilities, we must often rely on the strategic and financial support of higher levels of government and other entities. NACo’s “Intergovernmental Collaboration in Disaster Resilience” case study series highlights intergovernmental partnerships that empower local communities to take charge of preparedness, response and recovery, underscoring the critical role of the federal government in strengthening security and resilience nationwide.
The National Association of Counties would like to thank The Pew Charitable Trusts for its partnership on the Intergovernmental Roundtable series.
This content is intended for educational purposes only. The National Association of Counties (NACo) supports policies and programs that equip county governments with the resources and flexibility needed to serve our residents. NACo does not endorse any particular strategy or approach shared in this resource over another. For official NACo positions, please refer to the American County Platform.
Case Studies
Public funds, allocated through federal grants, empower states and counties to implement critical projects that cannot be resourced through local revenue streams.
Jefferson Parish, La
Parishes maximize local, state and federal public funding to invest efficiently and strategically in disaster mitigation efforts that support electrical grid modernization and infrastructure hardening at critical sites that put our security and the physical and economic wellbeing of residents first.
Lake County, Calif.
Counties maximize local and federal public funding to invest efficiently and strategically in disaster mitigation efforts that build local planning capacity, harden national security-critical infrastructure and advance a culture of disaster preparedness and personal responsibility among residents.
Rogers County, Okla.
Counties understand local hazards best and are working within our authorities to implement local policy and practice solutions that will minimize loss in the event of natural disaster.
Featured Initiative
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.
NACo sends letter to Congressional leadership asking them to reauthorize or extend key programs
NACo sends letter to Congressional leadership asking them to prioritize reauthorizing or extending key programs for counties ahead of September deadline
Senate Confirms New FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton
The U.S. Senate Confirmed Cameron Hamilton as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, re-establishing a leader for the agency which faced significant staffing cuts in recent years.
Senators Introduce a Bill to Extend Assistance to Counties for Rebuilding After Natural Disasters
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced a bill to extend the amount of time in which counties can access FEMA funds to pay disaster repair and reconstruction workers to up to two years following a natural disaster. This bill would provide increased flexibility and support for counties as they lead the front lines of disaster recovery.
Landmark housing reform bill becomes law with key county priorities
The latest version reflects several NACo advocacy priorities, including increased safeguards for critical community development funding and an expedited process for allocating disaster recovery funds.
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.