Sister Cities Disaster Preparedness Initiative
The Asia Pacific is home to millions of people in vibrant cities that drive their nation’s economies. Providing effective disaster preparedness, management, and response capabilities for these cities is critical to public safety as well as to political and economic stability. PWA developed the Sister Cities Initiative in response to the pivotal role of cities in disaster preparedness and response. Using the international sister cities network, this program enhances disaster management at the city level by building capacities and integrating the various emergency responders, especially the private sector.
Sister Cities Initiative Is Expanding to Vietnam in 2012
In 2012 the Sister Cities Disaster Preparedness Initiative will expand to Vietnam. The City of San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, the City of Seattle Office of Emergency Management, and PWA will launch the Vietnam-U.S. Sister Cities Disaster Preparedness Initiative in partnership with the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (Kobe) and Sister Cities International. Disaster managers from the respective sister cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hai Phong, as well as national authorities from Hanoi, are invited to participate.
The Initiative strengthens the ability of cities to protect people and local economies from natural disasters and climate change. Through a series of disaster preparedness forums held in Vietnam and the U.S., the sister cities of San Francisco – Ho Chi Minh City and Seattle – Hai Phong will work together to improve collaborative disaster planning, disaster risk reduction, and emergency response in their respective cities. The program will bring officials and disaster managers from these cities together with national authorities and ministries, businesses, NGOs, and community groups. Disaster managers from Vietnam will be able to meet with their U.S. counterparts, and vice versa, to exchange ideas and engage in cross-cultural dialogue that promotes innovative thinking and creative solutions in the field of disaster management.
In 2012 Peace Winds America, senior city disaster managers from San Francisco and Seattle, and private sector partners will conduct a needs assessment in Vietnam with senior disaster managers from Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, as well as national authorities in Hanoi. At the needs assessment, public and private sector participants will exchange information and set the agenda for subsequent phases. Based on the assessments, the Sister Cities Initiative will continue in 2012 and 2013 with a series of forums, technical workshops and meetings held in Vietnam and the U.S. The Initiative will conclude with the publication and dissemination of reports and findings.
2010 Japan – U.S. Sister Cities Natural Disaster
Preparedness and Response Exchange
Peace Winds America (PWA) and the Seattle Office of Emergency Management (SOME) inaugurated the Sister Cities Program with the Japan – U.S. Sister Cities Natural Disaster Preparedness and Response Exchange held September 15 – 17 at the Seattle Emergency Operations Center. The event hosted nearly 100 participants from the public, private and NGO sectors in Japan and the U.S. Focused on the sister cities of Seattle – Kobe, San Francisco – Osaka, and Honolulu – Hiroshima, this inaugural event conducted 17 sessions that explored a variety of topics critical to natural disaster planning and response. Topics included: Earthquakes, Flooding, Pandemic Diseases, Governmental Coordination, Military Involvement, Public Messaging, and Public – Private Partnerships.
Participants shared with each other valuable emergency management experience, innovative technologies, and best practices. By demonstrating their willingness to continually learn and improve disaster preparedness and response methods, participants performed a valuable service to their citizens while distinguishing their cities and organizations as national and international leaders in the field. Collaboration and coordination within and between governments, NGOs, and the private sector were continuously highlighted as the key to effective disaster management. The Exchange helped to build and strengthen these relationships, as well as initiated an international network of disaster management professionals dedicated to providing the best disaster planning and relief to their communities. With Japan and the U.S. as the foundation, PWA and the Sister Cities Program will expand this network throughout the Asia Pacific.
Click on Conference Proceedings to view PWA’s publication from the 2010 Japan – U.S. Sister Cities Natural Disaster Preparedness and Response Exchange.
For more information please contact Patrick Schmitt at schmitt@peacewindsamerica.org.
Sponsorship OpportunityPeace Winds America is announcing an exciting private sector sponsorship opportunity |
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2010 Sponsors
