ABSTRACT
Local governments bear a heavy burden in all that is asked of them in response and recovery efforts, from public and business expectations to infrastructure requirements. This burden is greater when communities have not done the necessary work to improve capability to respond to threats well in advance of the events that may befall them. The work of government to respond to these expectations can be made impossible when communities lack critical capacities. When responding to the needs of businesses, which vary with industry and size, the need for local governments to not only plan but act is obvious. Individuals benefit from competent response and clear communication from strong, steady, and visible leadership at the local level.
