December 26, 2017 – Ashburn, VA:
IBTS has completed baseline resilience assessments for the two-semifinalists of the NLC Small Cities Resilience Competition and now move forward to select a winner.
The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has completed the first phase of the National League of Cities (NLC) Small Cities Resilience Competition for the two semi-finalist cities, Germantown, TN, and Norristown, PA.
Municipal Administrator, Crandall Jones, describes Norristown’s vision for a resilient community to IBTS and NLC staff during a tour of the Municipality of Norristown, PA.
Last fall, IBTS and NLC invited cities of 100,000 residents or less to apply for the competition, the winner of which would receive direct, on-the-ground assistance to strengthen their social, economic, and government resilience through local projects. The goal of the program is for IBTS subject matter experts to provide a baseline assessment of the communities’ current resilience to natural and man-made hazards, as well as provide a project impact analysis to determine the impact a given capital improvement program may have on the cities’ baselines. This results in actionable solutions for improving weaker areas of resilience and to ultimately support cities to increase their safety, stability, and prosperity.
IBTS just completed phase one of this program, which was to provide preliminary assessments, conduct an on-site baseline assessment, and facilitate a resilience workshop. IBTS will announce the winner of the competition in January, 2018.
During phase two, IBTS will provide additional technical assistance to the winning community. This will include project selection and prioritization, financial consultation, and recommendations on implementing proposed capital improvement projects that will improve the community’s economic, social, and government resilience.
“I chose to spend more time with the team than I thought I would. When I got home, I said I had the best day, they got me thinking about resilience and our approach a bit differently,” said Patrick Lawton, City Manager of Germantown, TN.
“This has been my career for 30 years, and I’ve learned so much during this workshop. The knowledge base of IBTS staff has been incredible,” said Betsy Helsel, Assistant Director of Planning and Municipal Development of Norristown, PA.
Interested to learn how the IBTS Community Resilience Assessment Framework can strengthen your community against acute and chronic hazards? Contact us!
Patrick Howell
Program Manager, Community Resilience Initiative
phowell@ibts.org
(703) 481-2000
Press Contact:
Karen Johnson
Market Engagement Program Director
kjohnson@ibts.org
About IBTS:
IBTS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to helping communities through quality services that reduce risk, enhance public safety, and improve quality of life. IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia with branch offices across the country. IBTS’s work is guided by a Board of Directors made up of government officials appointed by five of the most highly respected, grassroots, state and local governmental associations, including the Council of State Governments (CSG), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), and National League of Cities (NLC).
