Telling the Tale of Disaster Resistance: a Guide to Capturing and Communicating the Story

We?ve all seen the powerful images that make real the heartbreak of disaster. But we don?t often see the images or hear the stories that capture efforts to minimize the effects of disasters. Nationwide, individuals, businesses and communities are fighting back against Mother Nature by taking action to reduce or prevent future disaster damage. In many cases, these actions already have proven to be successful. In others, the ?test? is yet to come. Either way, there is a story to tell. Our challenge is to capture and promote these efforts in an interesting and effective way. When we succeed, we motivate others to better protect themselves and their communities. This guidebook provides some of the ?best practices? of those who have promoted disaster-resistance efforts throughout the country. It is largely based on the lessons learned during a project by FEMA Region VIII and the North Dakota Division of Emergency Management to document disaster resistance. The result of that joint effort is a collection of stories, compiled into a book and published by FEMA in 2001, titled, Journeys, North Dakota?s Trail Towards Disaster Resistance. Two of those stories are included in the Appendices of this book. In this guide, you?ll find the key considerations for successfully telling the tale of disaster resistance?developing story leads, researching and documenting projects, creating a finished product and promoting those projects.