{ insiders’ ADVICE
The
power of partnerships by brittany castillo
I
n the immediate hours and days after an emergency, political and ideological differences are put aside and people unite, moving heaven and earth to help each other. But as we’ve often seen, when the recovery timeline grows from days to weeks and months, or even years, those divisions return and can harm recovery efforts. Sustaining partnerships is critical in emergency response. We in Florida have seen firsthand how elected officials, businesses, and nonprofits put aside their differences to help communities heal in the wake of hurricanes, the pandemic, or other disasters. Debris is cleared, power is restored, residents receive assistance, vaccines are administered – life slowly begins to normalize. When partnerships endure the response, communities are left stronger and more resilient. AshBritt, an emergency management and logistics contractor, helps communities across the nation recover after emergency events. Recently, our logistics division worked with state and local partners to set up vaccination centers and COVID-19 medical facilities, many in the heart of underserved communities. But we didn’t stop there. We worked with local houses of worship, communi-
ty organizations, and nonprofits to encourage participation and help overcome misinformation. We made sure our team was versed on the community they were serving, and we hired local. In times of crisis, government must team up with the private sector to help communities get back on their feet. Emergency response works best when leaders take these steps:
1. Cultivate public-private partnerships before an event. Government
and the private sector serve different roles in recovery. The private sector often moves more quickly, pulling in capital and regional and national resources while government manages the rescue phases. Nonprofits have their pulse on the community, are trusted by residents, and make sure assistance is quickly directed to areas where the needs are greatest. Pre-planning task forces must build cross-sector coordination; a strong foundation before an event ensures lasting partnership weeks and months after the event.
2. Leverage private sector ingenuity to improve emergency response. The private sector leads innovation, and government must be open to new
solutions, ideas and ways of doing things. In the aftermath of a disaster event, we need innovative solutions to respond to the unique nature of the event at hand as well as to build back better.
3. Improve the way disaster response is funded. Money doesn’t flow fast
enough from the federal government and states down to counties and cities, a key factor that often impedes rebuilding post-disaster. Recently, Florida has accelerated the flow, administering funds much more efficiently. Financial support allows cities and counties to act and is a game changer for homeowners and local and small businesses. Partnerships matter, and that includes across government bodies. In almost every instance, crisis events bring out the best in people who want to help their families, friends, and neighbors and restore the hometown they love. Through the power of partnership, let’s be ready to help when our neighbors need us the most, and to see it through. Brittany Castillo is the CEO of Deerfield Beach-based AshBritt Inc.
Fall 2021
INFLUENCE
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