ICLR steps up research programs

Noting the rising awareness of natural disaster costs, both in financial and human terms, the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) has revealed a full slate of research programs for the year ahead. At the institute’s annual general meeting held in Toronto recently, executive director Paul Kovacs noted the focus has been sharpened for the group, which includes members of the insurance, reinsurance and research sectors.

Kovacs notes that prior to the ICLR’s formation in 1998, “there was very little discussion of hurricanes and earthquakes in the insurance industry”. The institute is also involved in making the public more aware of disaster prevention, safety and mitigation, setting up a foundation with its partners, Tampa-based Institute for Business and Home Safety, and the Canadian Red Cross.

Last year, childcare center retrofits were amongst the institute’s projects, and were “tremendously well received”, says Kovacs. This is one example of the need to translate research into usable messages about prevention. A stronger push to “get our message into the hands of people” is a priority in 2002. Among the upcoming research ventures supported by the ICLR is a McGill University study on earthquake risks in Montreal as well as research into severe weather incidents aimed at prediction and possibly prevention. Through its partnership with Western University, the ICLR will also support research into areas such as management of underground infrastructure networks (sewers and phone lines, for example) and how “dampeners”, structures filled with liquid, can prevent the shaking of tall buildings during windstorms or earthquakes.