By Kate McMahon, AICP

September is recognized as National Preparedness Month. As planners, we can have a significant impact on ensuring that our communities are prepared through our resiliency efforts. According to the 2023 National Climate Resiliency Framework, resilience is defined as “the ability to prepare for threats and hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from adverse conditions and disruptions.”

As planners, we work within our disciplines to identify and plan for hazards in our communities. In order to be prepared for hazards and coordination before, during, and after disasters, it is critical to include a variety of stakeholders in hazard mitigation planning. These stakeholders include government and regulatory agencies, nongovernmental entities, community-based organizations, educational institutions, private-sector organizations, businesses, and residents. The American Planning Association has developed a Hazard Mitigation Policy Guide to develop, share and encourage planners to use best practices for hazard mitigation.

In addition to mitigating potential hazards, communities must also be prepared to deal with hazards when they do occur. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has developed an Emergency Preparedness Guide to help communities and individuals be prepared for different kinds of emergencies, create emergency plan and kits, and plan ahead for those with special needs.