When it comes to disaster preparedness, Tennessee is a state that is often overlooked. However, the state has been working hard to change that in recent years. In 2016, the state launched the Building Resilience: How Communities Can Reduce Disaster Risk initiative. The initiative is a multi-agency effort that focuses on reducing the state’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
One of the key components of the initiative is increasing public awareness about disaster risk. The state has developed a number of resources to help residents understand the risks they face and what they can do to reduce them. For example, the state has produced a series of videos that explain the different types of disasters that can occur in Tennessee and what people can do to prepare for them.
In addition to increasing public awareness, the initiative is also working to improve the state’s infrastructure. This includes things like making sure that buildings are built to withstand severe weather and that roads and bridges are able to withstand flooding. The state is also working to improve its emergency response capabilities. This includes things like making sure that there are enough resources available to respond to a disaster and that the state’s emergency management personnel are properly trained.
The Building Resilience: How Communities Can Reduce Disaster Risk initiative is a much-needed effort in a state that is often overlooked when it comes to disaster preparedness. The initiative is making great strides in increasing public awareness about disaster risk and improving the state’s infrastructure. With continued effort, the initiative will help to make Tennessee a more disaster-resilient state.
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/documents/BR_FactSheet.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWggeRK-Uz0
https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/environmental-management/divisions/water-resources/floodplain-management/building-resilience.html