Toolkit Resilience Planning Policy Toolkit

Overview of Disaster Policy

For decades, disasters were primarily managed through state and local emergency managers and focused on last-minute preparations to save lives, protect infrastructure and respond post-disaster.

Taking a more strategic approach to hazard management means evaluating risks long before a disaster or storm occurs and making investments to head off the worst of its impacts. This shift toward mitigation planning is evolving to be an even more comprehensive, data driven approach referred to as resilience planning. While resilience planning, emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation are interrelated, resilience planning goes further—offering cross jurisdictional frameworks to streamline public resources and avoid the worst disaster outcomes.

Legislative Authority

Policy Landscape Overview

Whole of Government (CRO) Frameworks

Disaster Mitigation Approaches

States are changing their approach to disaster management through policies that emphasize disaster mitigation, infrastructure resilience and centralized planning to preserve life and property. Mitigation measures in particular—such as infrastructure improvements, building code updates, natural barriers, land use and development practices—are often very effective in reducing disaster damage costs in communities amounting to many times the initial investment. As additional resources are developed, this list will be expanded.

Disaster Specific Resources and Nature-based Solutions

Infrastructure

Funding and Financing

For decades, many states relied on so called rainy day funds to respond to and recover from disasters. As the emphasis has shifted from response and recovery to mitigation and resilience, states have begun to explore alternative funding and financing mechanisms to raise the necessary capital to fund these investments. Options like bonds, infrastructure banks and revolving funds provide ways for states to implement solutions unique to their needs. Various federal agencies also provide many opportunities for funding support to states, territories and tribes.

Disaster Resilience and Agriculture

Natural disasters can have significant impacts on agricultural operations and the stability of food systems. From navigating fluctuating water resources to adapting to changing conditions and planning for potential losses, states are taking action to support agricultural stakeholders and bolster food systems to withstand potential stressors.

Military Resilience

The Department of Defense recognizes climate change as a national security issue and is actively partnering with states and local governments to build resiliency both on and off base. Extreme weather events, ranging from severe flooding to catastrophic wildfire, cost the department billions of dollars and threaten training lands, infrastructure, and public safety.

Federal Interests

Resilience efforts can also account for health and equity disparities and often include partnerships with federal stakeholders. Federal agencies can be sources of additional funding, technical assistance and research as state legislators develop resilience policies.

External Resources