Course Description:

All too often, communities that have experienced major disasters lose a major portion of the economic base. Studies have shown that after a disaster, 60% of small and medium size businesses fail within two years. Many never return to business once they are closed for even a few days because of floods, tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes. Not only does the community suffer from the effects of the hazard itself, but also in the long run the loss of jobs and tax base further reduces the community's ability to return to normal.

The Economic Development Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have developed the "Disaster Resistant Jobs" course that will help small and medium size communities protect the economy from the effects of catastrophic events. The topics of this 4 day course are:
Unit One: The Importance of Disaster Resistant Jobs
Unit Two: Creating Disaster Resistant Jobs
Unit Three: Recognizing the Impact
Unit Four: What About Mitigation?
Unit Five: Disaster Resistant Economic Development Planning Process
Unit Six: Business Recovery

The purpose of the Train the Trainer courses is to develop a cadre of trainers who can raise awareness in their own localities. Participants must have the desire and ability to address groups including local economic development agencies, Chamber of Commerce meetings, service club luncheons, business meetings and other formats to address the issue of protecting the communities economic base. Participants will be provided with a tool kit of materials that can be used to tailor their presentation before groups.

Download Facilitator Guide (Zip file with multiple PDF files