The Center for Disaster Resilient Communities leads and supports applied research, community partnerships and practitioner‑focused initiatives that strengthen resilience before, during and after disasters. Our work spans the Pacific Northwest and beyond, bringing together researchers, public health and emergency management practitioners, Tribal partners and community organizations to advance equitable, evidence‑based solutions.
Current projects
Extreme heat is one of the deadliest climate‑driven hazards in the United States. This collaborative brings together public health agencies, researchers and community partners to improve heat preparedness, strengthen early warning systems and reduce disproportionate impacts on frontline communities.
Extreme cold events are increasing in frequency and severity across the Pacific Northwest. This project examines how communities experience and respond to cold‑related hazards, with a focus on equity, public health impacts and systems‑level preparedness.
Communities across the region are navigating rising seas, groundwater intrusion and chronic flooding. Living With Water is a multi‑year, community‑engaged project that supports adaptation planning, risk communication and resilience strategies for neighborhoods living at the water’s edge.
The CDRC contributes to the NDMS pilot program to strengthen the nation’s ability to care for patients during large‑scale emergencies. Our work focuses on regional coordination, health system readiness and strategies to support surge capacity during catastrophic events.
Completed projects
The Seattle Assessment of Public Health Emergency Response (SASPER) partnered with residents of the Duwamish Valley’s frontline neighborhoods to identify community needs, strengths and priorities for climate and disaster preparedness. Through door‑to‑door engagement and collaboration with local organizations, the project produced insights that now guide resilience planning across the region.
In collaboration with the CDC, CDRC convened partners across Region 10 to design a work plan for a regional center that will strengthen public health emergency preparedness and response. Through extensive engagement with Tribal communities, state and local agencies and regional experts, the project identified shared priorities—from communication and workforce capacity to future climate‑driven hazards. The resulting work plans, delivered to the CDC in 2024, outline a path toward more coordinated, equitable and evidence‑informed preparedness systems.