Whole community planning: building resiliency at the local level

Business continuity planning often looks to preserving internal operations and focuses on customer retention as a marker for a successful outcome after a disaster. Building more resilient continuity plans also means planning for the survival of the community at large. As the national emphasis in the USA on 'whole community planning' becomes prominent guidance for emergency management planning, this paper examines the implications for businesses as members of the whole community and how they can increase their involvement in the whole community process. The paper will also discuss the impediments to and benefits of becoming a partner in planning for the community at large.