Developing Disaster Resilient Communities Presented at ICC s Global Connections Day October 19, 2016 By Guest Speaker, James(Tim) T. Ryan, CBO
Agenda What is resilience? Building Codes role in providing resilient communities Minimum Codes Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: an independent study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities Code Development And Enforcement Incentivization - Developing Pre-Disaster Resilience Based on Public and Private Incentivization
What is resilience? Resilience is the ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from, or more successfully adapt to actual or potential adverse events As defined by the National Academies 2012 Publication, Disaster Resilience: A National Imperative. Developing Pre-Disaster Resilience Based on Public and Private Incentivization Introduction National Institute of Building Sciences
Hurricane Katrina The population of New Orleans was 484,674 in 2000 Post Katrina in 2006 the Population of New Orleans was 231,172 As of 2014 the recorded population of New Orleans is 384,320 (79% of pre Katrina population-100,000+) Total Economic Impact estimated at $250 billion Approximately 1,833 deaths
Greensburg, Kansas Eleven Fatalities Damages equaled $153 million 2000 Census showed population of 1,574 2010 Census, three years after the tornado, showed a population of 777. No new construction starts in over a year Green initiative may have become an obstacle.
Achieving Resilience The most cost effective manner to achieve resilience is through a holistic and integrated set of public, private and hybrid programs based on capturing opportunities available through mortgages and loans; insurance; finance; tax incentives and credits; grants; regulations; and enhanced building codes and their application Developing Pre-Disaster Resilience Based on Public and Private Incentivization Introduction National Institute of Building Sciences
Building Codes The United States has the most sophisticated Building Construction Codes and Standards development system in the world. The nation will always be vulnerable to natural hazards and therefore it is prudent to invest in mitigation
Building Codes Mitigation should be considered in the broadest sense to encompass mitigation projects and processes that relate to enforcing strong building codes and land use and zoning measures that will limit disaster-caused damage and promote reduced losses from such things as disruption of utilities and transportation lifelines.
Building Codes A dollar spent on mitigation saves society an average of $4. Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: An Independent Study To Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities NIBS Adoption of Model Codes should be incorporated in any Emergency Management Plan for the Community.
Building Codes Contemporary Codes address resiliency of our buildings requirements such as: The work of the Building Seismic Safety Council translates seismic research into recommended updates to the building standards and codes. Task force on braced wall panels has increased the resiliency of single family homes. Portal frame construction requirements addressed a major weakness in residential construction which made homes vulnerable when subjected to high wind conditions.
Building Codes for Resilient Communities Must have the political will and backing Code Adoption task force Stakeholder collaboration and build-in Adoption of the most current codes within 2-3 cycles What about amendments? Remember they are called model codes. One size doesn t fit all Supported by data or lack of data/do your research
Building Codes for Resilient Communities Enforcement The most critical link in the code administration process Natural Disasters are the best quality control for code enforcers Political will and backing Proper Resources Education and Training
Building Codes for a Resilient Community Existing Buildings Do the policies and procedures within a community promote strong maintenance, alterations and renovations to existing building stock, or provide obstacles to owners? Adoption of the Existing building Code Resiliency upgrades without penalty, i.e., seismic Land use regulations that promote redevelopment Incentives
Building Codes for a Resilient Community Concerns with total reliance on building codes and standards: Model codes are still considered minimum requirements Opposition to adoptions due to increase in costs of construction, proprietary interests Political intervention Cost increases to re-build following a disaster to meet new codes. Not covered by insurance
101.3 Intent. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
Incentivization There is growing reluctance to continue to fund pre and postdisaster mitigation efforts by both federal and state agencies even though resiliency is being included in public policy and programs. A new approach has become essential rather than just mandatory construction codes and standards.
Incentivization The most cost effective manner to achieve resilience is through a holistic and integrated set of public, private and hybrid programs based on capturing opportunities available through mortgages and loans; insurance; finance; tax incentives and credits; grants; regulations; enhanced building codes and their application. This focus on private/publicsector opportunities to induce corrective action is called incentivization. Developing Pre-Disaster Resilience Based on Public and Private Incentivization the MMC and CFIRE Councils of the National Institute of Building Sciences
Incentivization White Paper created by the MMC and CFIRE councils of the National Institute of Building Sciences Based on the possible programs identified in this white paper, a summary blueprint for public-private incentives for supporting resilience falls into seven categories:
Incentivization 1. Develop Technical Support for Incentivization 2. Develop supporting insurance, loan and investment processes 3. Develop community based incentives 4. Develop programs tailored to utilities 5. Enhance building codes based on political will or willingness of public to pay for a higher level of security 6. Develop incentives program 7. Support incentivizing activities with tax incentives, tax credits and grants
Incentivization Enhance building codes based on political will or willingness of public to pay for a higher level of security White House session on Building Codes and Resiliency- May 10, 2016 Judge Alice C. Hill: Senior Advisor for Preparedness and Resilience to the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counter terrorism, National Security Council Staff, White House Above Code Codes/Guidelines Use data based on climate change vs historical weather data to develop future codes.
Going Forward Resiliency has to be embedded into the community development fabric of our nation Incentivization has to become part of the nation s economic fabric Collaboration of public and private stakeholders during development, design and construction Including Resilience within academic curriculums of post secondary education
Going Forward Conduct Follow-on study to update Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: An independent study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities Advance the concepts identified within the white paper Developing Pre-Disaster Resilience Based on Public and Private Incentivization Continue to Develop, Adopt and Enforce Contemporary Codes and Standards
Thank you for your interest and participation; Are they any questions?