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Although emergency managers typically have sound plans in place to meet immediate post-disaster recovery needs, many overlook long-term recovery needs — how will your community survive and thrive five, ten, twenty years after a disaster? These tips provide insight into what emergency managers should take into account while developing a basic long-term recovery plan and strategy.

Engage a diverse group of stakeholders in developing at least a five-year recovery plan. Bring leaders from a wide range of community historical and cultural organizations, environmental groups, economic development officials, businesses, public facility managers, planning experts and landscape architects, in addition to state and federal representatives, to work collaboratively in the development of a long term recovery plan.

Establish a long-term recovery network or team prior to a disaster.

• Emergency managers should reach out and build relationships with local stakeholders to establish a long-term recovery planning group that can step into action immediately after an incident subsides.
• Take an active role in the community, don’t just be a figure that emerges in response to an emergency.
• Revisit and exercise the plan frequently; knowing which parts of a long-term recovery plan to activate in the aftermath of a disaster should be second-nature for all stakeholders.

Don’t forget about mitigation. Recovery isn’t just about building back, use lessons learned from the incident to put in place preventative measures that can minimize damage in a future event. Look for external mitigation grants and funding opportunities and consider implementing mitigation activities before a disaster even hits.

Build your plan around economic development and revitalization. Emergency managers should engage local economic development organizations and the local chamber of commerce in long-term recovery planning. They can serve as the liaison between emergency management and the business community, helping emergency managers and planning experts weigh how the recovery strategy will impact the business community and local economy.

Have a long-term recovery funding plan. Consider taking a collaborative funding approach by engaging multiple funders from across the affected region to maximize resources and expertise. Encourage donors to engage in multiyear commitments that can support long-term recovery as new needs continue to emerge.

Ensure your long-term recovery plan can withstand time and changing staff.

• Avoid assigning roles and functions to specific names so that partnerships are sustainable despite turnover in key stakeholder groups. Instead, include detailed descriptions and responsibilities for each role in your plan that anyone can follow.
• Disseminate the plan to all stakeholder groups and ensure new stakeholders are briefed on their role.

Make sure your plan is flexible, be prepared to make changes after a disaster. Plans will need adjustments to meet the scope, extent and unexpected impacts of a disaster. Keep in mind that the full range of needs may not immediately be apparent – restoring critical infrastructure and providing housing assistance may be top priorities, but disasters can have ripple effects that require long-lasting recovery efforts.

Develop a plan after post-disaster response but before FEMA and other response agencies leave.

• Federal, state, local and nonprofit and volunteer agencies should debrief on what worked, what didn’t work and what still needs to be done before FEMA and other response agencies leave.
• Develop a preliminary strategic vision, plan and work program of what, who, when, how and the cost to make the community vibrant again. Local government, civic leaders and the business community should be engaged in this process.
• Identify what needs will not be met by FEMA or other on-the-ground agencies before they leave the community. Think about the position your community will be in after FEMA leaves and keep in mind that recovery can take months, and oftentimes years.

During a disaster, assess the long-term impact of immediate decisions. Emergency management must be aware that every decision they make in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster will have a positive or negative impact on long-term recovery. Make decisions quickly, but take the time to assess their impact and get input from community stakeholders.

Use FEMA’s National Disaster Recovery Framework for plan design and structure. FEMA offers a framework for developing long-term recovery plans pre-incident and also in the wake of a natural disaster. See the “Planning Activities” chart, beginning on page 45, for a quick outline of pre- and post-disaster long-term recovery planning elements.