NHMA facilitates new Resilient Neighbors Network
The Natural Hazard Mitigation Association is launching a special program named Resilient Neighbors Network (RNN) to link together grassroots communities working to become safer, disaster-resilient, and sustainable.
NHMA is working with ten pilot communities around the USA to create a peer-to-peer sharing network, so grassroots communities can work together directly to strengthen and expand local hazard-mitigation programs.
This RNN co-mentoring network will also offer ideas and feedback to FEMA and other federal partners on how the federal government can help increase community resilience to natural hazards. Depending on the findings during the pilot development phase, it is anticipated that the RNN will be expanded in the future to include other communities working on grassroots disaster resilience and sustainability.
Among pilot communities in the widely-dispersed network of peer-to-peer communication, sharing, and support are Grays Harbor County, WA; Hillsborough County, FL; Jefferson County, WV; Pasadena, TX; Rockford, IL; Tulsa, OK; and the State of Vermont.
Representatives of the pilot communities met in a special RNN program planning meeting July 19 in Broomfield, CO. At this meeting, participating communities worked on the development of a framework plan for the peer-to-peer sharing network. NHMA is also fielding a Blue Ribbon Advisory Team of national experts who will serve as resources for the communities, along with NHMA representatives who serve as facilitators for the meeting and the RNN network. NHMA Facilitators: Tim Lovell and Ann Patton and Intern: Erica Long.
Clockwise (from the top): Charles T Wallace, Marcy Leach, Tom Bennett,
Daya Dayananda, Mike Kline, Barbara Miller, Sheryl Siddiqui
View the Resilient Neighbors Network Framework Plan [pdf]