In the last 40 years, more than 1,100 Alabamians have died in disasters. (1)
In the last 20 years, Alabama has spent at least half a billion dollars simply to match FEMA funds. (2)
In the last 20 years, Alabamians themselves have spent tens of billions on property damages and losses. (1)
We can continue to lose lives, repeatedly spend taxpayers’ money, and miss out on opportunities to bring jobs to Alabama.
Or we can do something different.
Data sources: (1) ASU Center for Emergency Management and Homeland Security (2023). The Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database for the United States, Version 21.0 [Online Database]. Phoenix, AZ: Arizona State University. Available from https://cemhs.asu.edu/sheldus. (2) http://budget.alabama.gov/state_general_fund_appropriations/
Introduction
The Alabama Resilience Council was created by Governor Kay Ivey when she signed Executive Order 736. This action is a key part of the Ivey Administration’s ongoing effort to make Alabama the most resilient state in the nation by protecting the lives, property, and economic well-being of Alabamians against possible hazards, both natural and manmade. The Alabama Resilience Council will work with local, state, federal, and private partners to help communities build stronger, live safer, and recover quicker. The work of the Council will be aimed at better preparing Alabama’s communities to withstand events that result in harmful societal impacts.
The purpose of the Council is simple but critically important to the State of Alabama: “To provide a forum for coordinating activities of state government and for facilitating interactions between state government and the private sector to proactively address harmful impacts on Alabama communities and infrastructure before they occur.” (Executive Order 736, Signed by Governor Kay Ivey on May 5, 2023)
“Protecting the well-being of our people, both physically and financially, should be a top priority shared by leaders at all levels of government. Alabama is growing like never before, and it’s imperative we take necessary steps today to preserve our historic progress for tomorrow. By proactively reimagining our approach to events with harmful effects on Alabamians before they occur, we can save lives, protect jobs, and ensure our state’s future remains bright.”
-- Governor Kay Ivey
“This council presents a great opportunity to bring stakeholders together to explore partnerships and create synergy in our efforts in our state. It creates a platform to include key players that can significantly increase the strength and resilience of Alabama from harmful societal impacts.”
-- Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Smitherman
“I want to thank Governor Ivey for her leadership and vision in creating this important Council. We believe Alabama will set the national standard for preparedness and resilience. The Alabama Resilience Council will be a whole-of-government response, with the input of private industry, aimed at making that a reality.”
-- Alabama Commissioner of Insurance Mark Fowler
See the Governor’s Executive Order and Statement here.
Significant opportunities exist to increase the resilience of Alabama citizens, businesses, and visitors.
Reimagining our approach to emergencies and disasters before they occur will empower Alabamians and our communities to build stronger, live safer, and recover quicker from adverse circumstances.
The Alabama Resilience Council coordinates the numerous multi-disciplinary local, state, federal, and private partners in setting priorities, leveraging resources, communicating effectively, and delivering measurable results to shape a supple and vibrant future.
This collaborative engagement process maximizes the expertise, insights, and real-life experiences of all partners. Risks and vulnerabilities can be assessed holistically. Resilience efforts can be aligned. The most beneficial collective action can be identified.
Guiding Principles
In order to pursue the goal of the most beneficial collective action the ARC operates with guiding principles which span five areas of focus: individual responsibility, collective continuity & function, factual assessment of risk, integrated resilience efforts, and focused support.
