Researchers studying disasters know that people, not plans in a binder, will save us! Plans, no matter how well thought out, typically do not fully anticipate how humans will actually behave in a disaster. A consistently strong research finding is that most people are saved by neighbors. Getting to know neighbors ahead of time will improve your resiliency. Check out the following resources.
- FEMA PrepTalks: Dr. Daniel Aldrich “Social Capital in Disaster Mitigation and Recovery” — highlights how different types of social capital (bonding, bridging, and linking) serve to increase community resilience. Discussion Guide and Resource List
- The Key to Disaster Survival? Friends and Neighbors. NPR Interview with Daniel Aldrich.
- FEMA PREPTalks — Neighborfest — Building Resilience from the Block Up! Daniel Homsey is the Director of the Neighborhood Empowerment Network (NEN) for the City of San Francisco. Neighborhood Fest Discussion Guide and Resource List.
- In a Disaster that calls for isolation, your community will help you survive.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]