ABSTRACT
The notion that “all disasters are local” is widely recognized and emphasized in the U.S. In order to effectively plan for, prepare for, and manage disasters, communities must assess and target their vulnerable and high-risk populations and determine the adequacy of and access to local resources and services. This chapter provides readers with an understanding of the various community stakeholders and their roles in emergency management and response in the U.S. It discusses a conceptual model to determine adequacy of resources and services and provides a framework for understanding access barriers to community support services. Drawing on research conducted by the authors on unmet needs, the potential use of phone support systems such as 2-1-1 to enhance community resiliency is described in detail. The chapter concludes with policy recommendations on how community service organizations can compensate for or complement local, state, and federal agency support to meet the needs of vulnerable populations.
