How did Gap Filler begin? And what lessons did we take from disaster? 

Here, one of Gap Filler’s founders, Ryan Reynolds, reflects on how Gap Filler began. He talks of the ‘trial run’ we had with the September 4, 2010 quake and how it prepared us for the larger February 11, 2011 quake. He also reflects on the social infrastructure that underpins strong, community disaster responses and suggests how cities can invest in this, as a form of disaster preparedness.