Calgary appoints new ‘chief resilience officer’
New plan necessary to help the city deal with ‘shocks and stresses’
We can become even more resilient as we learn from some of the best minds here at home and around the world.
Calgary has appointed a “chief resilience officer” with financial support from an international movement that helps cities become more resilient to physical, social and economic challenges.
During the inaugural workshop for Resilient Calgary on Friday, it was announced that deputy city manager Brad Stevens will be the city’s first chief resilience officer, or CRO.
Stevens, who began his career with the city in 1992, will be in charge of drafting a resilience strategy, with help from the 100 Resilient Cities organization for at least two years.
He’ll continue to receive his city hall salary within a range of $ 190,500-$ 321,500, but the organization will help fund the creation of the strategy.
“We have to be collaborative and interconnected, in order to prepare for and recover from the shocks and stresses that Calgary faces and will face,” said Stevens in a release.
“Our membership in the 100 Resilient Cities network will significantly strengthen the current work being done by the City of Calgary and the Calgary community.”
More than 150 people from a variety of industries gathered at Friday’s workshop to begin developing a so-called resilience strategy for Calgary after the city was named part of the 100 Resilient Cities network in 2016.
“Calgary has seen its share of stresses and shocks in recent years,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi in a release. “Despite the challenges we face, we remain optimistic and resilient. As a 100RC member, we can become even more resilient as we learn from some of the best minds here at home and around the world.”
It’s expected further consultations and drafting of the resilience plan will occur over the next six to 12 months.