In 1999, the City of Evansville, Indiana, U.S.A. was recognised for its
efforts in building a disaster resistant community (see below). As far as I
can tell from news reports (I am travelling at the moment with limited
internet access), a tornado has just killed more than a dozen people there.
See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4412180.stm in which early warning
issues have been highlighted--seeming to note yet again the challenges which
we frequently identify of building and maintaining effective warning
systems, i.e. they must go far beyond sirens.
Any further information, corrections to my statements above, or thoughts on
this situation would be appreciated. We must continue to try to learn and
improve, even if it requires disaster to accomplish much,
Ilan
http://www.fema.gov/regions/v/1999/pi_indiana.shtm
Project Impact Recognizes Evansville, Indiana for Outstanding Efforts in
Disaster Prevention
Washington, DC, Thursday, December 16, 1999 -- The City of Evansville,
Indiana, received the Model Community Award recognizing their outstanding
efforts and contributions to Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant
Communities during this year's second annual Project Impact Summit in
Washington, DC. Project Impact is a nationwide initiative to help change the
way America deals with disasters.
The model community award is given to the city, town or country that has
shown innovation in implementing the Project Impact ideals, what disaster
damage prevention is all about. Evansville formed extensive partnerships
between the private sector, government and voluntary organizations. It also
designed effective disaster prevention initiatives and used federal and
local resources to make significant progress on those initiatives. Most
importantly, Evansville has shown its willingness to share its experiences
with other communities interested in duplicating its success and becoming
more disaster resistant.
Representatives from the City of Evansville were joined by Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) Director James Lee Witt and representatives from
hundreds of Project Impact communities at the Project Impact Awards Gala
Wednesday night. More than 1,200 citizens, businesses, public officials and
emergency managers came from communities across America to participate in
this year's Project Impact Summit. They were in Washington to share their
community's progress and the lessons they learned on what works best to
prevent deaths and damages from disasters.
"The City of Evansville and all the recipients of this year's Project Impact
awards are leaders in this first generation of Project Impact communities.
They are helping to build the infrastructure for disaster prevention in
every community in America," said Director Witt. "The City of Evansville's
outstanding efforts demonstrate that we don't have to be victims of natural
disasters. Every one of us can take steps to prevent ourselves, our loved
ones, our businesses and our communities from becoming disaster victims."
Evansville received the Model Community Award for demonstrating innovation
in helping its community become disaster resistant. Through the Southwest
Indiana Disaster Resistant Community Corporation, Inc., Evansville formed
partnerships to implement its disaster prevention initiatives. The
initiatives involved actions such as retrofitting firehouses against
earthquakes and tornadoes, and amending building codes to require new
buildings to be constructed to withstand 110 M.P.H. winds. Evansville was
recognized for their outstanding efforts in setting an example to other
communities, and for contributing to the ongoing momentum in spreading the
message of the need to build disaster-resistant communities nationwide.
"As Project Impact gains momentum nationwide, the driving force behind our
efforts are businesses, communities and most importantly the fighting spirit
of those who are determined not to become disaster victims," noted Director
Witt. "When we began Project Impact just two short years ago, we believed we
could reach inside and find the best in communities to prevent disaster
damage. Our Project Impact communities - and especially our award winners -
are the proof that our vision is gaining momentum. Communities have grown
closer and stronger by joining Project Impact."
For many, Project Impact has become a way of life. As a result of Project
Impact, communities are assessing their vulnerabilities to natural
disasters, enforcing stricter building codes, strengthening existing
buildings and infrastructures, offering incentives for taking preventive
steps, and educating citizens on prevention measures they need to take in
their homes and businesses. Project Impact has shown that for every dollar
spent on prevention, at least two dollars are saved in disaster recovery
costs.
Project Impact is a nationwide initiative to shift the focus from simply
responding to disasters to taking actions in advance to prevent the
potentially devastating effects of natural disasters. Project Impact began
in 1997 with seven pilot communities and now today has nearly 200 designated
communities and over 1,100 business partners.
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