Weathering the Storm: Proactive Strategies for Resilience

As we step into 2025, a year of significant change, one constant remains clear: the critical need to prepare for and mitigate the impact of catastrophic events.

The ongoing wildfires in California and the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene are tragic reminders of the widespread, long-term economic impacts disasters can have—often reaching far beyond the communities directly affected. These so-called “once-in-a-generation” events are becoming more frequent and increasingly destructive.

While disasters are inevitable, they also offer opportunities to strengthen our disaster response and preparedness efforts, reducing personal and economic hardships. It is imperative that we support the dedicated efforts of emergency managers and first responders by taking proactive steps to minimize the impact before disaster strikes.?

Federal, state, and local governments, along with non-governmental organizations and industry partners, each play a vital role in the emergency management ecosystem. In this time of rapid change and disruption, here are a few observations and recommendations to help prepare for and mitigate the effects of the next major disaster.

Establish Trusted Communication

During a disaster, effective and thoughtful communication is essential for both mission execution and keeping the public informed. This level of communication cannot be achieved if leaders wait until a crisis to engage with their communities. Building trust with the public requires consistent and proactive communication well before a disaster occurs, using platforms that resonate with constituents. To prioritize this, leaders should focus on the following strategies:

1. Communications Planning. The ways people consume information are constantly evolving, and strategies that worked just a few years ago may now fall short. Both public and private sector leaders should regularly review, test, and update their communications plans to ensure they remain effective in today’s landscape. Conducting regular exercises and committing to transparency with the public builds trust and ensures messaging is clear and actionable when it matters most.
2. Share the Everyday Work. Emergency management is a continuous cycle of planning, training, and preparing for worst-case scenarios. However, trust can no longer be assumed—it must be earned by showing the work behind the scenes. Leaders should regularly communicate what is happening and why, using multiple media channels to highlight completed exercises, address identified gaps, and showcase technology improvements or process enhancements. Sharing these efforts (while respecting operational security) builds public confidence in emergency preparedness.
3. Listen to the Community. Gone are the days when quarterly public forums were sufficient for gathering feedback. Leaders must meet communities where they are, leveraging social media and other technologies to monitor conversations, gather feedback, and engage with citizens in real time. By addressing concerns directly and showing responsiveness to community needs, leaders can build trust and confidence in the people, systems, and processes that are in place long before a disaster strikes.

Invest in Mitigation Efforts for the Rebuild

It is often said that for every $1 spent on mitigation, society saves at least $6—a statistic from the National Institute of Building Sciences that still holds true today. Investing in mitigation efforts reduces the time, money, and resources required for recovery. As the economic costs of disasters continue to climb (with 28 incidents in 2023 resulting in $92.9B in losses), the return on investment for proactive mitigation planning becomes increasingly evident.

Fortunately, advancements in technology, predictive models, and artificial intelligence are unlocking new opportunities to embed mitigation strategies into daily life. Here are a few key actions to help communities build resilience:

1. Take Advantage of Existing Programs. Programs like the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) initiative offer critical support for community resilience. BRIC provides funding for a wide range of hazard mitigation projects across all seven community lifelines, helping communities reduce disaster risk. In addition to financial assistance, BRIC offers Direct Technical Assistance to help communities identify, scope, and initiate mitigation efforts, making it easier for even resource-constrained localities to start building resilience.
2. Invest in Capital Infrastructure Updates. Modernizing infrastructure—such as electricity grids, water systems, and transportation networks—can significantly enhance disaster response capabilities. While these updates require substantial investment and may disrupt operations, the long-term benefits far outweigh initial costs. By conducting detailed assessments of potential returns on investment, including reductions in disaster-related losses, decision-makers can justify prioritizing these critical improvements.
3. Collaborate with the Private Sector for Research and Development. Governments play a key role in fostering innovation by clearly articulating mitigation challenges to the private sector. When these needs are communicated, the commercial sector responds with solutions, creating a marketplace for innovation. Programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) initiatives offer funding to support research and development in this area. Additionally, the Community Disaster Resiliency Zones (CDRZ) initiative connects at-risk localities with private sector partners to explore creative resilience solutions, such as financing mechanisms, parametric insurance, and governance models to sustain long-term investments.

Stay Prepared

Preparedness must remain a priority at every level—from local governments to families, community groups, and schools. Ensuring response plans are up-to-date, actionable, and accessible, and practicing them regularly, is vital to reducing loss of life and property during disasters. While operational demands may often take precedence, maintaining focus on preparedness is critical to ensuring communities are ready when it matters most.

At Partner Forces, we are dedicated to enhancing risk understanding and resilience across the homeland security landscape. Our teams operate at the intersection of data, technology, and mission, driving programs that strengthen resilience and prepare communities for the challenges of tomorrow.