Resilience Council to make communities safer, recover faster

Alabama has experienced more than its fair share of disasters.

In the past 20 years, the state has spent at least half a billion dollars to match FEMA funds while Alabamians themselves have spent tens of billions on property damages and losses.

Today, with an executive order creating the Alabama Resilience Council, Gov. Kay Ivey is establishing permanent partnerships to withstand the test of future disasters.

The Council will work with local, state, federal, and private sector partners to make communities stronger, safer, and able to recover quicker.

“Alabama is growing like never before, and it’s imperative we take necessary steps today to preserve our historic progress for tomorrow,” Ivey said. “Protecting the well-being of our people, both physically and financially, should be a top priority shared by leaders at all levels of government.”

Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Smitherman and Alabama Department of Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler will serve as co-chairs.

“This council presents a great opportunity to bring stakeholders together to explore partnerships and create synergy in our efforts in our state,” said Smitherman. “It creates a platform to include key players that can significantly increase the strength and resilience of Alabama at all levels.”

The council includes:

• The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
• The Alabama Department of Commerce
• The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
• The Alabama Department of Environmental Management
• The Alabama Department of Public Health
• The Alabama Department of Transportation
• The Alabama Forestry Commission
• The Alabama Geological Survey
• The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
• The Alabama National Guard
• The Alabama Office of Information Technology

Other partners to appoint a representative include:

• The Alabama Association of Regional Councils
• The Alabama Indian Affairs Commission
• The Alabama League of Municipalities
• The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee
• The Association of County Commissions of Alabama
• The Business Council of Alabama
• The Economic Development Administration
• The Energy Institute of Alabama
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Manufacture Alabama
• The National Federation of Independent Business
• The Small Business Administration
• The United States Army Corps of Engineers
• The United States Forest Service
• The University of Alabama Center for Risk and Insurance Research
• The National Weather Service

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session.