The City of Austin has expanded the Resilience Hub Pilot Program into the Austin Resilience Network (ARN). The ARN is comprised of city and community resources that equitably empower individuals to prepare for, endure, and bounce back stronger from community-wide shocks, stressors, and emergencies.
 
“We are excited to expand the resilience program with the Austin Resilience Network,” said Homeland Security & Emergency Management Interim Director Bill Wilson. “This expansion aims to build community resilience while accounting for the complex conditions presented during a disaster. The ARN will allow for a flexible, scalable community-based approach to disaster preparedness, response and recovery.”

A Community Advisory Committee of over 30 organizations supported the Resilience Hub Pilot in identifying six City-owned sites in the City’s eastern crescent to serve as Hubs where community members could get resources during a disaster. The pilot program grew to include an additional eight City-owned facilities.  Funding from the pilot program was used to purchase supplies for these facilities, including health and neighborhood community centers. Additional grant funds were utilized to install back-up power at six locations, back-up solar and battery power at four locations, and other emergency supplies at six locations.
 
A major lesson from the pilot program was the need for scalability and flexibility during a disaster, which was limited by the selection of specific physical sites. The new expanded network approach of the ARN addresses the limitations of individual hubs by fostering broader community partnerships that will better connect needs with resources. The expanded program will continue to support the physical hub locations in addition to strengthening the network of relationships.
 
Central to the development of the Austin Resilience Network is the Homeland Security & Emergency Management’s newly formed Mass Care Section. This team of professionals will oversee shelter management, food and water distribution, volunteer management and implementation of the ARN. By leveraging non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations that serve the entire city, the Austin Resilience Network can be a force multiplier for resources during emergencies.
 
Apply to Join the Austin Resilience Network
Organizations interested in becoming part of the ARN can find an application form on the Austin Resilience Network’s webpage. Once completed, a member of HSEM’s Mass Care team will be in touch. Becoming a partner of the ARN is a meaningful way to serve the community through direct resource and information sharing during a disaster.
 
Benefits for Austin Resilience Network Partners
During an emergency, ARN partner organizations will have direct communication with local emergency managers via HSEM’s Mass Care team to stay informed and share community needs.
 
Partner organizations will be able to participate in Coordination Calls during emergencies. When the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated and Mass Care needs are expected, these calls will connect ARN partners with emergency managers. The Mass Care Hotline is also activated in these emergency situations, allowing ARN partners a direct line of communication with HSEM for urgent needs or questions. These lines of communication are a new way for community organizations to connect directly with HSEM. 
 
These streamlined resources will benefit the community by facilitating more coordinated disaster response and recovery efforts.

For more information on Mass Care and the Austin Resilience Network, visit https://www.austintexas.gov/hsem-mass-care. Learn more about emergency preparedness at www.ReadyCentralTexas.org.

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