Norris Hall, where Seung-Hui Cho killed 30 of his 32 victims before taking his own life, was surrounded by fences and police tape. There was a sense that whatever life was like before the tragedy, that life would probably never return.

How does a community cope with such crisis? After the reporters have closed their notebooks, after the lights are turned off and after the cameras are packed away – what happens then?

The answer is actually rather simple and yet so important: Love is required. In the long-term aftermath of tragedy or disaster, there is a need for the family to continue to show love and concern. The months that followed the 9/11 terrorists attacks, Hurricane Katrina, as well as other traumatic events, taught us that support and care drops off significantly after national attention is decreased or gone altogether. People continue to live on after disaster and they need support from whomever can give it to help them heal and recover.

I have been assigned to help many of the community leaders in the Blacksburg and Christiansburg area concerning crisis recovery and would like to make available the information that we have pulled together on community crisis recovery.

COMMUNITY CRISIS RECOVERY
In the world that we live in today, there are certain truths that we must accept. Chances are, at some point, we must directly or indirectly deal with some type of tragedy in our community or region. This plan affords some insight into what one should expect after a traumatic event and lends some suggestion of how to effectively deal with its aftermath.
After such events as the tragedy at Columbine High School, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the natural disasters of Hurricane Katrina and now the heartbreaking shootings at Virginia Tech and the devastation in tornado-ravished Greensburg, Kansas — it is becoming clear that communities experiencing such horrific circumstances often face many of the same challenges in their communities, during the recovery period.

COMMUNITY REACTION PHASES
There is a real challenge that is presented to a community or region that has faced disaster or great loss. People consciously and subconsciously will begin to associate the place of tragedy and grief with a negative consideration.

The general attitude tends to change in the aftermath. Businesses, home life, school enrollment, governmental outlook, worship and other community staples shift as the media defines to the world this particular province as a site of national misfortune. This affects potential businesses, new housing developments, future shopping centers and all areas of local commerce.

In addition, the long term effects concerning the people can be significant. High levels of depression, suicide, violent crimes, and escape (people leaving town) are common. But communities do survive. With proper recovery, communities will not just survive, they will thrive.

The recovery process must be intentional by local leaders that sincerely care about the community. These leaders must be committed for the long haul. These individuals from the local government, businesses, churches and other entities should help guide the community through recovery.

Recovery is a slow process. When many people in a community suffer loss at the same time or are exposed to a traumatic event right in their neighborhood, community reaction seems to follow some general stages.

Heroic Phase
During and immediately after the event or disaster, people tend to react with great courage. They fight threats to their safety and basic needs with energy and perseverance. Neighbors, community members and outsiders work together to meet the crisis.

This phase is a particularly short period where people work through the initial shock of the event. People give their energies toward something positive. Normally, this phase is amplified because of local and national news coverage.

Supportive Phase
A few weeks after the disaster and sometimes several months, people begin their first intense efforts at cleanup and recovery. Although individuals may have a hard time accepting their losses, they feel that the community still cares about them. People share a feeling of surviving something together. They believe that more help will come.

This phase is highlighted by the general “positive over negative” attitude. Even persons who were not directly affected by the event feel a part of the “community family” and will lend support, prayers and services.

Disillusionment Phase
This time of widespread discouragement may be the longest phase of recovery. Groups that helped with immediate needs withdraw from the community. The media that highlighted the positive qualities of the community have left. The community is basically left to work out any impending situations alone and without outside support.

People turn inward as they face the reality of their own losses. Some are disappointed in the amount of assistance given. Anger, frustration and bitterness are common. As discouragement sets in, many people leave town — some never to return. This has an affect on the local economy and the public infrastructure.

Reconstruction Phase
How do we get back to “normal?” Communities may not move fully into this stage for many months, a year and sometimes more. Reconstruction requires that people recognize that both the community and individuals will not be exactly the same as they were before the disaster or event. People create a new community as they rebuild together.

The responsibility of rebuilding belongs to all community members. In order to achieve transformation towards the “new normal,” community leaders must work together and follow some general guidelines and goals of community redevelopment. The following is a proposed plan for community healing.

COMMUNITY CRISIS RECOVERY BENCHMARKS
The following is a skeleton proposal of a plan to enhance the healing and recovery of a community that has faced trauma and disaster. It can be modified to the needs of a particular community or region.

Day 1 (Day of the Tragedy)
A time of comfort, dealing with shock and grief. Support from community leaders. Statements from national, state, local leaders for the purpose of care, comfort and concern are imperative. “We will get through this.”

1-4 Weeks
A time of continual comfort and adjustment. Memorial services, prayer services, statements by leaders concerning care and support of one another. This is also the time that the news media will be reporting their stories.
People in the community will be trying to make sense of what has happened. Fear, anger, depression and many more emotions will mark this time. Blame of security and prevention of such an event will begin to surface.

Leaders need to have a strong, caring presentation throughout this period. Leaders need to remain visible. Newspaper articles, television appearances and radio interviews are important. The beginning dialogue of recovery begins.

2-6 Months
Community leaders should have the first of a series of meetings concerning recovery. The mayor, local school officials, pastors, business owners, city council members, etc. should meet to discuss the direction of the community. These first meetings should be strategic meetings with key players.

There should be a subsequent meeting open to the public concerning “where do we go from here?” Vision should be projected concerning new projects, success stories and new initiatives. These meetings can be in the form of a “town meeting”. People living in the region are now asking the question “what is going to happen to our city?”

Smaller memorial services, outlets for counseling, community programs for recovery. This is necessary to help move people toward closure. Also, community events (such as picnics, community days, etc.) are encouraged. It is important to move into a “normal” continuation and not be defined by that particular traumatic event.

6-12 months
Another town meeting is encouraged. It is the leaders’ job to keep people informed concerning the positive direction of the community.
During this period, the impact from the event (if any) will be evident. People leaving town, enrollment changes at local schools, economic challenges in local businesses, etc. At this point, leaders need to stabilize the common thinking of the people.
Planning for a one year memorial service should be publicized. The event should have a community steering committee with as much community involvement as possible.

One Year Anniversary
Host a large community memorial service at a major venue.

This event is important for community closure. It says emphatically and effectively that our community survived the challenge. The community leaders need to be visible at this event.

One Year and Beyond
Leaders continue to work together to show unity and concern. The pattern that is established during the critical first year will probably be maintained for the next several years.

Special thanks to the University of Iowa Extension for information on “Disaster Recovery,” 1993.