Public health emergency preparedness has evolved significantly over the past decade, shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting workforce needs and a growing emphasis on equity and community resilience. However, the competencies that guide this workforce have not been updated in more than 10 years. In response to these changes, researchers at the University of Washington have collaborated with practice and academic partners to produce an updated draft set of public health emergency preparedness and response (PHEPR) competencies for all public…
Category: Center for Disaster Resilient Communities
CDRC faculty director featured in National Geographic article on disaster preparation
In a recent National Geographic article on disaster preparedness, two experts discussed how individuals can better prepare for increasingly frequent and severe climate‑driven hazards. Nicole Errett (pictured), the faculty director of the University of Washington’s Center for Disaster Resilient Communities, emphasized that preparedness planning is most effective when done calmly in advance, rather than during a crisis. She described integrating readiness into daily life by routinely rotating supplies like water, keeping a full gas tank and cash on hand and…
CDRC Deputy Director Dr. John Y. Choe Named to Prestigious NSF NCAR Innovator Cohort
John Y. Choe, Deputy Director of the Center for Disaster Resilient Communities and Associate Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at University of Washington, was selected for the NCAR Faculty Innovator Program 2026–2028 cohort. His project, ACE‑FIRES: AI‑ and Co‑production–Enabled Fire Intelligence for Resource‑Efficient Suppression, reflects the program’s goal of supporting transformative, interdisciplinary research that advances environmental resilience. This year’s competition drew 167 initial applications, representing a remarkable breadth of expertise and ambition. From this pool, only 17 faculty members…
Study abroad this summer: Learn about “Roots of Resilience” in Italy
Join us for an information session at 3 p.m. Pacific on Thursday, January 8, 2026, about the University of Washington’s “Roots of Resilience: Disasters, Community, and Sustainability in Southern Italy” (ENVH 490, 9 credits), a month-long, interdisciplinary study abroad program set in Rome and Sicily. Sicily’s dynamic blend of environmental challenges and rich cultural traditions makes it an exceptional setting for exploring disaster resilience, while immersive learning prepares students for future leadership in global environmental public health and community sustainability….
Supporting Western Washington’s response to historic flooding
The University of Washington’s Center for Disaster Resilient Communities supports communities before, during and after disasters. With historic floods impacting Western Washington, we are committed to supporting our practice partners with our research resources to help affected communities. In past disasters, we have partnered to: Assess and map damage and exposures Use AI to streamline manual processes Conduct community needs assessments (e.g., Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Responses, trauma-informed listening sessions, surveys) Evaluate health and well-being impacts Analyze the…
New study explores how public housing authorities implement disaster risk
New research examines how the United States is facing a dual crisis: a growing shortage of affordable housing and an increase in climate-driven disasters. The team, which was led by University of Washington researchers, found that disasters disproportionately affect extremely low-income renters living in federally subsidized housing managed by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). A national survey revealed that PHA characteristics – such as size, urban location, political context and perceived hazard risk – significantly influence their disaster risk management (DRM)…
UW researcher authors op-ed calling for California to treat wildfires like earthquakes
Joseph Wartman, director of the Natural Hazards and Disaster Reconnaissance Facility and a professor of civil engineering at the University of Washington, recently authored an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle calling for California’s leaders to master wildfire safety in the same way that they mastered earthquake safety. He notes that California has become a global leader in earthquake preparedness through decades of investment in infrastructure, policy and public education, spurred by past disasters like the 1971 San Fernando quake….
December CDRC workshop to focus on applying AI to disaster resilience
The Center for Disaster Resilient Communities announced today a free, in person workshop taking place December 8 and 9, 2025, that is focused on training University of Washington researchers who have little to no background in artificial intelligence (AI). Through an inquiry-based learning approach, participants will learn how to harness the power of AI for their disaster resilience projects, such as hazard characterization, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Date, time and location Day 1: Monday, December 8, 2025, 8:30 –…
New research seeks to reduce the risk of soil liquefaction during earthquakes
Liquefaction of soil is a major risk during earthquakes, responsible for significant damage to buildings and other infrastructure. A team from the University of Washington’s Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is developing biocementation – a newer, sustainable alternative to traditional soil stabilization methods. This new approach utilizes bacteria to help soils strengthen against earthquake liquefaction. Unlike conventional cement-based soil treatments, biocementation is much less invasive, with a simple nutrient solution being injected into the soil. This solution enables bacteria…
UW researchers design a new emergency preparedness tool
University of Washington researchers from the Center for Disaster Resilient Communities have developed a new digital tool to standardize emergency preparedness assessments for Washington’s 35 local health jurisdictions. The Health and Hazards Risk Decision Support Tool (H2azaRDS) aims to assist counties in assessing their readiness for natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires and tsunamis. Led by Nicole Errett, an associate professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, the team created the tool at the…