2009 Coordinators’ Briefings Public Affairs Office Virginia Department of Emergency Management

1. Public Outreach Update 2009 Coordinators’ Briefings Public Affairs Office Virginia Department of Emergency Management

2. 2009 Strategic Outreach Plan 2008 research revealed major misperception – people think they are ready, but they are not: Perception vs. Reality 54% feel prepared 71% do not have critical supplies, including a family emergency plan

3. Misperception and Opportunity Misperception leads to opportunity – help residents understand what it means to be prepared: Give people a baseline. 3-day supply of non-perishable food 3-day supply of water Working battery operated radio and batteries A written family emergency plan

4. Important Influencers • People more likely to take preparedness actions if recommended by: • Local fire or police officials (80%) • Local weather or TV news announcers (66%); #1 in Hampton Roads

5. 2009 Target Audiences Certain groups are either very underserved or more likely to take action: Who needs Ready Virginia? Least prepared are the oldest (65+) and the youngest (34-) Families with children tend to be better prepared 56% of Hispanics don’t feel prepared

6. What Does 2009 Plan Include? Emphasis on making a plan New RV and RV seniors brochures Family plan worksheets in English & Spanish Articles for homeowner’s associations Radio Disney partnership ‘World Upside Down’ radio and TV PSAs Use of Twitter and Facebook Tabletop displays in English and Spanish Extensive Hispanic outreach New LV brochure, hurricane guide, media campaign

7. 2009 NPM Goal To change perceptions about emergency preparedness and help Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready

8. Ready Virginia and NPM Encouraged local and state agencies and organizations to register as NPM Coalition members and to sponsor events 65 voluntarily registered Provided resources to local EMs, Citizen Corps, homeowners’ associations, English and Spanish media and meteorologists Brochures, family plans, kids’ game sheets, magnets

9. Local Efforts to Promote NPM 25 local governments voluntarily reported hundreds of activities to Ready Virginia Training, exercises, employee preparedness classes Twitter, Facebook and locality Web sites Local government access TV channels

10. Local Efforts to Promote NPM Traditional and non-traditional outreach Assistance to Boy Scouts with preparedness award Visits to retirement villages Displays in county and city offices Locality proclamations Bookmarks in library books City/county newsletters

11. Local Efforts to Promote NPM Community Safety Fairs, Disaster Days, special events Family and business planning workshops Set up of Mobile Command Posts Are You Ready? citizen classes CERT classes

12. Clear National Messages Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone should have a personal response plan for a disaster. Everyone should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least the first 72 hours. Clearly setting the expectation for personal responsibility is a way to clear up misperceptions.

13. What’s Next? 2010 Strategic Outreach Plan Continued emphasis on making a plan and getting the four basics Continued emphasis on families/mothers Emphasis on personal responsibility Reorganization of Web sites Virginia preparedness survey (summer) Information in additional languages What do you need?

14. www.ReadyVirginia.gov www.ListoVirginia.gov Questions?