August 19, 2005 storm, Toronto (image courtesy of Brian Campbell)
The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) is a world-class centre for multi-disciplinary disaster prevention research and communications. ICLR was established by Canada’s property and casualty (p&c) insurance industry as an independent, not-for-profit research institute affiliated with the University of Western Ontario. Institute staff and research associates are international leaders in wind and seismic engineering, atmospheric science, risk perception, hydrology, economics, geography, health sciences, public policy and a number of other disciplines.
In order to help address this impending increase in natural disaster losses, the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) has developed a long-term communications strategy to enhance its messaging. Under a broad theme of “science to action, Canada’s insurers building disaster resilient communities” the strategy is centred around three programs:
RSVP cities (resilient, sustainable, vibrant and prosperous cities);
Working through ICLR, Canada’s insurers are the only group in the country providing comprehensive disaster loss prevention advice to homeowners and home builders, as well as to owners of small businesses. Actions have been identified to help homeowners and owners of small business reduce the risk of injury, damage, and interruption of business due to severe wind, hail, earthquakes, flood, wildfire and a number of other hazards. We are also working to promote the construction of disaster resilient homes. ICLR is internationally recognized for its leadership in multi-disciplinary disaster prevention research.
Through ICLR, insurers have provided support to dozens of academic researchers who are working to identify best practices. Quality research provides the foundation for better public policy and disaster management. ICLR’s research findings are used to help consumers and owners of small businesses better understand the hazards they face, and to identify simple steps they can take to better protect their families, homes and businesses.
The ICLR is committed to reducing disaster deaths, injuries and property damage through the development of disaster prevention knowledge, and the broad dissemination of its research findings. Moreover, the Institute is working to transfer this emerging scientific knowledge into information available to decision makers to support actions to build resilient communities. This research deals with damage from wind, snow, ice, earthquakes, mould and a range of other hazards.
The ICLR will seek to address the above three program areas by achieving its objectives in four key result areas:
Quality research;
Effective partnerships;
Industry education; and
Consumer awareness.
Nature’s extreme events can be relentless and unforgiving, but need not result in disasters. Hazards demand that individuals prepare, and that communities and businesses invest in resilience and continuity measures. Knowledgeable individuals and resilient communities are the best way to prevent hazards from becoming disasters. ICLR works to enhance the disaster resilience of homes, communities and businesses across Canada.
