Disaster Planning: lessons from the field

Written By Danielle Cylich

June 25, 2025 Lunch & Learn - Stemming from conversations with professionals in other parts of the country that have experienced recent natural disasters (catastrophic flooding in North Carolina and wildfires in California), NPC Chair Danielle Cylich led a conversation on the complexity of planning for natural disasters. The presentation examines the foresight required for disaster planning, specifically for cultural organizations and nonprofits. It details the challenges groups can expect to face after the initial disaster so as to communicate effectively, assess damage, and rebuild.  

Three main questions shaped the program:

  • Is there time to think when emergency strikes?

  • When is a response complete - are we building a response based on a continuum as issues evolve over time?

  • Do we know what we are saving; do we have an understanding of the resources that shape our community histories, culture and identifies?

Danielle Cylich
Next

From AI to investment in third spaces: A moderated conversation with Shamichael Hallman and John Surico on community engagement and neighborhood preservation