Resilience
To create disaster resilient schools, we must invest in infrastructure, strengthen community, and understand the vulnerabilities and capabilities of children.
School Resilience
Y. Wang, E. Wolf, and D. Dougherty
"In the past 25 years, Oregon has systematically established programs to invest in seismic retrofits of public buildings including schools. The state has committed $311 million toward retrofits of K-12 buildings, completing projects in more than 80 school districts since 2009. Recently, Oregon has begun to consider a broader goal of “community resilience.” This paper provides ideas that are intended to guide the investments and initiatives needed to better prepare Oregon schools and communities for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami." [Read the full article]
Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission (OSSPAC)
"Few facilities receive more oversight than public schools. Building inspectors, fire marshals, and liability experts regularly monitor their facilities. They are natural candidates to provide gathering places for people to shelter and seek aid in emergencies. Acknowledging this aspiration in remarks about Oregon’s commitment to seismic retrofits, Governor Kate Brown said, 'Ensuring every community in the state, particularly in rural regions, has safe community gathering places and emergency response infrastructure will be key to Oregon’s recovery from a significant seismic event.'" [Read the full report - school info starts on page 21.]
Child Resilience
Natural Hazards Center
The Natural Hazards Center in Boulder, Colorado is the National Science Foundation-designated information clearinghouse for the societal dimensions of hazards and disasters. They have a great collection of research on Children and Disasters. Follow the Natural Hazards Center and Children of Katrina on Facebook for updates on child-related disaster research.