Welcome

The Center for Disaster Recovery and Resiliency (CDRR) will be a disaster recovery and resiliency source. CDRR is a multidisciplinary center at The University of Memphis promoting resilient communities and infrastructure networks that allow communities to increase the effectiveness of their response and recovery plans for extreme weather events (ice storms, flooding) and earthquakes and to mitigate the risks of future disasters.

Mission

• The University of Memphis houses the Center for Disaster Recovery and Resiliency (CDRR), a comprehensive initiative that fosters resilient communities and robust infrastructure networks. The center aims to enhance the efficacy of response and recovery plans for extreme weather events such as ice storms, flooding, and earthquakes while also working towards mitigating risks associated with future disasters. By fostering collaboration among academia, local, state, and national emergency managers, policymakers, first responders, urban planners, and university researchers, the CDRR seeks to establish more robust, more resilient communities. The center aims to reduce long-term and repetitive losses in disaster-prone areas through direct oversight and input from these key stakeholders.

• The Center for Disaster Recovery and Resiliency (CDRR) at The University of Memphis will devise research and public education approaches harnessing the diverse and complementary expertise of the university's researchers. Key areas of emphasis will involve conducting risk assessments for vital infrastructure networks, considering their interoperability levels. Public education initiatives, such as community disaster planning meetings and public service announcements, will also be integral to the CDRR's efforts. The risk assessments will employ cutting-edge tools and methodologies, incorporating federally approved disaster assessment tools like HazUS (FEMA).

• The Center for Disaster Recovery and Resiliency (CDRR) aims to establish external funding portfolios to support and expand its research endeavors. Collaborative applied research initiatives, including multi-hazard infrastructure risk assessments, will be developed in conjunction with stakeholders to address identified disparities in state response and mitigation plans. Moreover, the CDRR will actively foster partnerships with the private sector to advance educational and research initiatives. These partnerships will contribute funds for basic center operations and staffing at The University of Memphis and facilitate sustained growth.