Recovery, Phases of

Response, Planning, and Reconstruction

Typically lasting from one to seven days, the initial response phase activities encompass debris removal and cleanup; emergency repairs to utilities, transportation systems, or interim transit services; building safety inspections; coordination of state/federal damage assessments; and re-occupancy of buildings. This helps affected populations move back in faster while allowing them to live a relatively normal life within the affected area, as essential needs are met. Populations are less likely to return to a disaster area the longer it takes to restore essential services.

[Page 557]Typically lasting from seven to 30 days, the mid-term planning phase activities include interim housing; restoration of utilities (power, water, sewers); restoration of social and health services; restoration of normal services; establishment of new ordinances governing rebuilding; examination of building standards; and economic recovery activities, including interim sites for required business operations. Essential services allow people to survive in an affected area, but the restoration of needed services will keep them from packing up whatever they have left and leaving the area, perhaps never to return. Recovery experts are becoming more aware of the need to get local businesses back up and running, not only to support the need for products and services in the community, but also to bring those jobs back so people can earn a living and begin their personal recovery.

Typically lasting several years, the long-term reconstruction phase activities include rebuilding; complete restoration of transportation systems; additional hazard prevention and mitigation activities; restoration of permanent housing; reconstruction of commercial facilities; and development and implementation of long-term economic recovery plans, targeting required businesses. Disasters have a lasting impact on people within the community, and providing a long-range vision of recovery will inspire people to have hope and endure, instead of fleeing the affected area to create a new life.

National Response Plan: ESF #14

Disasters of significant size cannot be managed by local authorities and local relief efforts. In these disasters, actions are required from outside the local area, including state/provincial and federal governments.

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