Reform Institute says involve the people in US resilience
According to the US think tank, The Reform Institute, the upcoming three year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina slamming into the Gulf Coast on August 29 and the observance of National Preparedness Month in September offer an excellent opportunity to focus on America's most important asset in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from catastrophes - her people
The Reform Institute said in a press release: "Whether it be through individual effort or collective action within the private sector or non-profit organizations, harnessing the energy, spirit and determination of the American people is vital to building a more resilient United States capable of withstanding a catastrophic event and quickly returning to a state of near normalcy."
"The failure in adequately preparing for Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the fundamental flaws in the government's top-down approach that eschewed cooperation and largely ignored the potential contributions of the populace. On the other hand, the aftermath of the calamity underscored the critical role that the private sector and non-profit groups can and must play in recovery efforts," stated Robert Kelly, Reform Institute Senior Advisor. "Collaboration among all sectors of society is critical for enhancing our resilience."
"The lessons of Katrina and premise of National Preparedness Month should encourage the notion that preparedness and resilience are not solely a job for government," added Reform Institute Executive Director Cecilia Martinez. "By involving the citizenry and unleashing the resources of the private and non-profit sectors, we will make America more resilient."
The Reform Institute will soon release a report with findings and recommendations for enhancing national resilience through public-private collaboration based on the Institute's March 2008 symposium, Building a Resilient Nation: Enhancing Security, Ensuring a Strong Economy. Another forthcoming paper will examine the importance of individual preparedness in improving U.S. resilience.
The Institute's work on homeland security is assisted by an advisory committee whose members include Timothy Farrell of Bank of America, William Tenney of Target Corp., David McIntyre of TRIWEST, Marie Royce of Alcatel-Lucent, Ray Shepherd of Venable LLP, and Rich Cooper of Olive, Edwards and Cooper.
www.reforminstitute.org
