Background

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2. Background Long History of Empirical Research in the Social Sciences Focusing on Extreme Event Preparedness Research Spans Multiple Units of Analysis: Households Businesses Public Sector Agencies Networks Communities Intergovernmental

3. Background Factors Associated With High Levels of Preparedness are Well Understood, Based on Extensive Empirical Research Same General Principles Apply for All Types of Threats: Natural Hazards, Technological Hazards, Intentional Attacks

4. General Insights from the Literature on Preparedness The Concept of Preparedness is Multi- Dimensional, Encompassing Hazard Awareness & Analysis; Priority-Setting Formal Plans, MOUs, Mutual Aid Agreements Enduring Social and Institutional Relationships Resource Acquisition Training & Education Drills and Exercises Methods for Institutionalizing Lessons Learned

5. General Insights: Fundamental Principles Formal Plans Are Only One Element in Comprehensive Preparedness Strategies Plans Mean Little in the Absence of Other Elements of Preparedness Preparedness is a Process, Not a Product Preparedness Efforts Must Be Based on Realistic Assumptions Concerning Social Behavior

6. General Insights: Fundamental Principles Preparedness Requires Collaboration, Not Top-Down Directives—Although Clear Guidance Does Help Planning Activities Should Be Guided by Those Who Will Actually Carry Out Plans Efforts Should Be Comprehensive & Inclusive Preparedness Advocates Must Overcome Constraints, Limitations, Opposition

7. General Insights: Fundamental Principles Preparedness Should Be Risk- and Vulnerability-Based, But Should also Consider Low Probability/High Consequence Events Preparedness Efforts Must Be Designed in Ways That Help Responders and Victims Anticipate Surprise—e.g. Through Fostering the Ability to Adapt, Improvise, Innovate

8. General Insights: Fundamental Principles Preparedness Efforts Should Have an “All Hazard” Focus, While Also Incorporating Special Considerations Associated With Individual Hazards; Preparedness Activities Should Not Be Organized Around Specific Perils

9. General Insights: Fundamental Principles Preparedness Efforts Must Include Mechanisms for Bringing About Change, Based on Both Simulations and Actual Occurrences of Extreme Events—for Example: Objective, Independent Performance Assessments Strategies for Incorporating Lessons Learned, Managing Change Procedures for Ensuring Accountability

10. START’s Research on Community Preparedness Intensive Community Field Work: In-Depth Interviews, Analyses of Documents, Plus Quantitative Network Analyses 5 “Typical” UASI Cities Focus on Real World Implementation of HS Programs, Directives Structure of Local Preparedness Networks

11. Why Networks? Explicit DHS Goal: “Regionalized” Approach Network Analytic Techniques Reveal Patterns, Such as: Overall Network Composition: How Inclusive? Network Centrality: Which Agencies Are Central? Subnetworks: Specialization Isolates: Entities Not “In Touch” With Network Brokers: “Bridging” Organizations, Information Providers

12. Why Networks? Day-to-Day Relationships Tend to Predict Patterns That Emerge During Actual Crisis Events Comparing Networks Across Communities Should Yield Important Lessons

13. Progress to Date Collected, Analyzed Data to Explore Similarities and Differences Among UASI Communities and to Select “Typical” Sites for Study Employed Additional Selection Criteria Initiated Field Work in First Study Site—Greater Denver

14. Next Steps Carry Out, Complete Field Work Conduct All Necessary Analyses Identify Patterns, Compare Communities

15. Natural Hazards Center University of Colorado 482 UCB Boulder, CO 80309-0482