ICLR’s RSVP…for cities
program provides a framework to develop a coordinated strategy to
protect people and property from the devastating human and financial
impacts of natural hazard events.
Much
of the activity necessary to protect people and property must take
place at the community level. The program is designed to create an
environment that makes disaster safety and loss reduction activities
desirable, effective, and affordable for communities, businesses, and
residents.
What exactly is RSVP…for cities?
ICLR is promoting use of its RSVP…for cities program to
prevent injuries and deaths caused by natural catastrophe events
protect public and private property from the impact of such events
create a disaster-resilient economy.
The
program helps communities establish partnerships around a framework of
10 interconnected, cascading elements. The program provides a
cost-effective way to use existing human and financial resources to
minimize future physical, financial and social losses from natural
disasters.
An RSVP…for cities
community requires a formal commitment from the highest levels of local
government. It calls for a partnership among all levels of government
and insurers as well as other entities to accomplish activities within
the 10 elements. It provides a way for communities to engage in
reducing their vulnerability to disasters.
Public and private partners in a RSVP…for cities
initiative are encouraged to examine their organizational missions and
business practices in order to isolate areas where they can reduce
vulnerability to disaster impacts for themselves, their constituents,
their employees, and their customers. The program asks these
organizations, agencies and companies to work together for the benefit
of all involved.
The RSVP…for cities
program for disaster resilience can help sustain, enhance, and protect
life, property, the economy, and the environment for ourselves and for
future generations. If we view disaster losses as the predictable
result of the interactions among these four major systems:
Nature – the physical environment
People – population characteristics
Economy – jobs/business recovery
Built environment – homes, businesses, public infrastructure and utilities
The 10
elements of the program (explained further in the plan below) reflect
the interconnectedness of these four major systems. These elements are
measurable activities that serve to institutionalize disaster
protection into long-range policies, procedures, programs, designs and
plans and to take immediate action to begin to protect people and
property and to reduce costs associated with disasters.
