Whole Community Preparedness for Smart, Connected Cities

Whole Community Preparedness for Smart, Connected Cities
Whole Community Preparedness Workshop
Team Organizations	NIST
Point of Contact	Aaron Deacon Alison Brooks Allison Hu Bill Pugh Carlos Tamayo Chase Klingensmith Debra Deininger Kerstin Nold Kimberly LaGrue Lauren Tarin Maleah Girigsby Mariela Alfonzo Nick Kaufmann Pam Nerurkar Patricia Sagert Raimundo Rodulfo Rommia White Ruthbea Clarke Sanjana Senthilkumar Sean Jenkins Stephen McPeake Vanessa Enoch Vasudha Gadhiraju Vincent Scipione Pilisine Masiba Richard Wonn
Participating Municipalities	San Antonio TX
Sectors	Public Safety
Initiative
Status	Master Planning
Last Updated	December 5, 2025

Summary

Help shape the future of disaster response and recovery! This interactive workshop, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will explore innovative technology applications and strategies to improve public safety planning and community resilience in smart cities and communities.

Your participation will help define the framework for a cutting-edge cyber-physical-social system that enhances multi-agency collaboration and community disaster planning and response. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a groundbreaking initiative that empowers cities and regions to manage complex crises more effectively.

Presentation

Question #1

What capabilities should be developed to support communities in times of disaster or civic emergency?

Answer

In times of disaster or civic emergency, communities must develop a range of integrated capabilities to ensure effective preparedness, response, and recovery. Experts emphasized the importance of shifting focus from reactive emergency response toward proactive preparedness and mitigation. This includes investing in predictive analytics for scenario planning and resource allocation, ensuring the right aid reaches the right place at the right time. The use of GIS and geographic intelligence in planning was also highlighted as a critical capability.

Connectivity and communication infrastructure were identified as foundational. Experts stressed the need for robust, redundant communication systems—including localized mobile towers and analog or low-tech alternatives—especially for rural or underserved areas. Equally important is ensuring that communication is trusted, multilingual, and accessible across various levels of technology reliability.

Another key takeaway was the value of social capital and community-led planning. Experts pointed out that social preparedness—regular community engagement, local leadership structures, and clear, authoritative guidance—can be as impactful as hard infrastructure. Programs that foster local networks, such as community dinners, were seen as effective tools for building resilience.

Finally, the integration of private sector capabilities and critical infrastructure into emergency planning was seen as essential. Since private entities often own much of the infrastructure, embedding their capabilities into the city’s planning and response framework ensures a more holistic and coordinated effort. Across all phases—mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery—clarity on roles, shared resources, and trusted information flow is vital for effective community support.