002: How to Improve Community Resilience and Preparedness with Michelle Luckett

How to Disaster

“The significance of the average person understanding the consequence of what's coming is huge.” -Michelle Luckett

Episode Description:

Every community is unique. It's not just about the geography or demographic, but also the way a community responds to a disaster. So it's important that we take the time to assess our community's resilience.

Community resilience is about bringing together all of the resources and people in our neighborhood to make sure that everyone has what they need to survive in the case of a disaster. As part of this, it's important to make sure that we, ourselves, are prepared for any kind of emergency, and that everyone in the community is, too— down to the most vulnerable ones.

In this episode, Jennifer interviews Michelle Luckett, the CEO of Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies/ BRACE. Michelle answers the question, what do we rebuild first— businesses or residences? She also shares practical steps that small businesses and ordinary citizens can do to prepare for compound disasters and strengthen their resiliency, and the secret to staying in the resiliency and recovery space long-term.

In order to initiate recovery, most people require assistance. However, in a disaster, it’s a challenge to qualify for one. And even if we do, it will probably take a long time before we get our hands on it. This can be discouraging, especially if we’ve lost both our homes and our jobs— that sense of loss that drives many to hopelessness. Listen in as Michelle shares a less known provision that displaced workers can take advantage of and what to do to qualify for it.

Connect with After The Fire USA:

Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebuildNorthBay/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

Highlights:

03:45: BRACE and Its Focus Goals

14:52: How Small Businesses Can Prepare for a Disaster

22:21: A Provision for Displaced Workers

29:31: What to Rebuild First— Business or Residence

36:27: Dealing with Compound Disasters

39:18: How to Build Community Resilience

44:35: How to Approach the Next Decade

52:11: Mental Health for First Responders