Mitigation is Cost Beneficial to States

New reports and data from the PewTrusts:

Data Highlight State-by-State Benefits of Federal Natural Disaster Mitigation Grants
Returns on investment vary across jurisdictions and hazard type

While disaster mitigation activities—such as elevating buildings or earthquake retrofits—save $6 on average per dollar spent in recovery costs, that amount varies by state and type of disaster, according to a new analysis released today from The Pew Charitable Trusts. Using data from the National Institute of Building Sciences, Pew found that states that stand to benefit the most from mitigation are: Kansas (which would save $6.81 per dollar spent on mitigation), Missouri ($6.72), New Jersey ($6.67), Delaware ($6.65), New Hampshire ($6.62), and Arizona ($6.60).

Pew’s analysis also broke down mitigation savings by type of disaster: floods, high winds, earthquakes, and wildfires. See your state’s data for mitigation savings overall, and by type of disaster: https://pew.org/2XHxxS6

This information offers helpful context to policymakers as they work to manage the increasing cost of natural disasters. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you’d like to speak with our policy team about this research. As always, you are welcome to republish our graphics or screenshots from our website with attribution to The Pew Charitable Trusts. I’d also encourage you to link through to our analysis at: https://pew.org/2XHxxS6

 

Supply Chain Issues in Puerto Rico

Interview in HSToday with author of new book: “Out of the Worldwind” Valuable Lessons on Supply Chain Resiliency

Out of the Whirlwind is a new book by Philip J. Palin that offers a unique perspective on disaster response, resilience, and recovery. It tells the story of how pre-existing supply chains for food and fuel roared back in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria’s catastrophic hit on Puerto Rico. The book tells this story through a combination of data, analysis, and narrative. Implications for future catastrophic events are strategically obvious and operationally challenging.

Update:  As of 6/21 here is Part II of this book interview.

The Diva has ordered a review copy. If you are interested in reviewing this book for this blog, please let me know.

Drones in Emergency Management

Free Online Course on Drone Applications in Emergency Management

Univerity of MD University College, in collaboration with edX, has developed two MOOCs on the Fundamentals of Drones and Autonomous Systems. These MOOCs are open to everyone and provide an affordable and flexible way to obtain new knowledge and expertise that may be relevant to your current program. This is an exceptional opportunity to learn about the increasing use of drones, the latest applications of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in emergency management, public safety, homeland security, and the potential risks that UAS pose to safety and privacy.

Both courses are scheduled to be launched on July 1, 2019.

No previous knowledge of drones or flight experience is required. The MOOCs are free, but there is also an opportunity to upgrade to a paid version that comes with an official certificate upon completion. For more information please visit https://www.edx.org/professional-certificate/umuc-usmx-drones-and-autonomous-systems