Reducing the effects of tornado hazards - A paradigm shift in policy

Improved interactions and communications affecting several phases of tornado disaster reduction are essential for changing the culture of a community at risk. Reason precludes any attempt to change cultures one community at a time. Instead we must change the culture of organizations that supply knowledge and set standards for practices applied in all communities. Improving consistent understanding of risk and vulnerability for guiding cost-beneficial development and sustainability requires interactions involving all phases starting from community development and going through construction and use of the built environment. This interacting network is achievable if professional and technical organizations collaborate and cooperate in information dissemination, education, and training for their members. We need to establish sound practices for applying consistent physical, social, economic, and political principles to cost-beneficial tornado disaster reduction practices. The achievement of universal changes in practice is based on effective and continuous knowledge transfer to people where they live and work. We cannot rely upon basic education to provide these knowledge transfer needs; a program of continuing education conveniently acquired by the practitioner is essential. Partnering associations can provide knowledge needed to enhance practitioner learning and provide a network for advancing the practice in all areas affecting natural disaster reduction.