SKOKIE, Ill. – Each year in the United States, more than $35 billion in direct property loss is caused by natural disasters.  As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase, enhanced resilience for community continuity has become a high priority in cities throughout the nation.

Functionally resilient buildings place less demand on community resources and allow areas to provide vital services, even after a natural disaster. For example, resilient construction enables business to continue operations and provide a hard-hit community with a consistent tax base. Further economic, societal, and environmental benefits occur from reductions in resources that would need to be reallocated for emergency recovery.

The Portland Cement Association (PCA), in cooperation with Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative (CJSI) partners, is conducting a series of workshops to communicate the trends and specific criteria used to design and construct homes and buildings to improve community continuity and resiliency.    

There are many strategies and approaches available for resilient community construction.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified the need for robustness, resourcefulness and recovery as the key elements of resilience. Many of the criteria for enhanced resilience are documented in standards, FEMA documents and voluntary programs such as the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety's FORTIFIED programs. 

These one-day workshops inform local decision makers including builders, developers, architects, engineers, contractors, building officials and community leaders, on the importance of enhanced resiliency in construction and how it improves community continuity in the face of disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes and floods. Topics covered during the seminar include local disaster risk assessment and mitigation, resilient construction methods, FORTIFIED design and construction programs, building code requirements, safe rooms and storm shelters, flood resistant construction and fire resistance.

The six workshops are scheduled for:

• April 12                       Springfield, Mo.
• April 17                       Sioux Falls, S.D.
• April 19                       Centennial, Colo.
• May 15                        Pewaukee, Wis.
• May 17                        Louisville, Ky.
• May 30                        Portsmouth, N.H.

Attendees will receive six Professional Development Hours (PDHs), AIA-CES HSW Learning Units (LUs) or USGBC Continuing Education Hours (CEs).

The registration fee is only $95 and includes lunch. Visit www.nrmca.org/resilience for additional details and to register.

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.

About CJSI
CJSI is a coalition of industry associations, including PCA, that represent companies that make or maintain concrete structures. We have a goal of educating ourselves, our members and our customers about the role and responsibilities of concrete in sustainable development.