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New Chamber Report Offers Guidelines for Effective Disaster Response
New Chamber Report Offers Guidelines for Effective Disaster Response
Published 07-02-08
Submitted by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center
July 1 press briefing panelists (l. to r.): Stephen Jordan, BCLC; Steve Smith, Small Business Alliance; MJ Pizzella, Google; George Haddow, George Haddow, Bullock & Haddow LLCWASHINGTON, D.C., - July 2, 2008 - After disasters, having on-the-ground expert analysis, clear goal-setting, and a well-defined division of labor help to accelerate the recovery process. These and other lessons-learned for better disaster management are introduced in a new report issued by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC).
The report, On the Brink: Re-Engineering the Nation's Disaster Response Processes, is a collection of 26 essays by experts in emergency response. Writers represent corporations, local chambers of commerce, federal and local government, academia, and humanitarian-aid organizations.
"Together, we are establishing guidelines for faster, smarter disaster management that enable us to rebuild communities, restore local economies and preserve livelihoods." said BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan, "We are building a consensus around new ways of thinking about how best to respond to disasters."
Lessons and recommendations in the report are derived from past major disasters such as hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Rita; the Southeast Asia tsunami and the 2007 wildfires in southern California. The report concludes with five recommendations from BCLC, which could help American communities and disaster responders foster long-term economic recovery.
Jordan, along with the Small Business Administration's Steve Smith, Google's MJ Pizzella, and George Washington University George Haddow, announced the report at a press briefing yesterday at the U.S. Chamber headquarters.
The 2008 version is the third report in BCLC's annual series on disaster assistance and recovery. Online access and a video recording are available at www.uschamber.com/bclc. Printed copies are available upon request.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region. BCLC is a 501(c) 3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and manages the U.S. Chamber's Disaster Assistance and Recovery program. BCLC is a resource and voice for businesses and their social and philanthropic interests.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center
U.S. community development. Emerging-market development. Disaster response. Social and environmental innovation – businesses play an important role in all of these issue areas.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center is recognized in the corporate citizenship field as a source for fresh thinking, exceptional networking and practical lessons learned.
The Foundation works to strengthen collaboration and understanding among companies, corporate foundations, chambers of commerce, NGOs, and governmental offices. As a partnership facilitator, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center helps businesses find highly effective ways to invest in local communities, be responsive in times of disasters, and improve lives and livelihoods across the globe.
The Foundations mission is to work with businesses to make the world a better place. Email ccc@uschamber.com to learn more.
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