Preparedness as a Catalyst for Building Community…. Before “it” happens!

1. Preparedness as a Catalyst for Building Community….Before “it” happens! JoAnn Jordan Public Education Coordinator City of Seattle, Office of Emergency Management

2. Goals • Understand what preparedness means • Identifying the barriers to preparedness • Overcoming the barriers • Creating Realistic expectations • Consequence based planning • Simple plans for residents that can be remembered and engaged • Options for success

3. There is no magic preparedness wand Preparedness Pill

4. Challenges • People don’t want to think about it • 4 phases of denial • 3 big barriers + 1 new attitude! • Managing expectations • Limited resources – • number of professional responders –vs- community members; • number of staff –vs- residents; • amount of funding available; etc.

5. DANGER EXPECTATIONS

6. What are the expectations…. • What are your organizational expectations of government, professional responders and social service agencies in disaster situations? • What are your expectations of your residents/tenants? • What do you think your residents/tenants expect of you?

7. Is there a gap? • If yes, how can we bridge the gap? • Communication • Coordination • Collaboration • Education • Support • Celebration

8. Expectations • People will live up or down to your expectations, depending on what they are • People will do what they think is the right thing, given lack of training.

9. So, if you had a magic wand…. What would a prepared community look like?

10. A prepared Community …. Has individuals who are prepared to be self sufficient for 7 – 10 days Would be where residents share a willingness to help each other Has a communications plan that they help create themselves and practice regularly

11. A prepared Community …. • Has a great partnership with tenants to have emergency supplies and equipment for community emergency response teams • Has a resident team with community skills training programs such as first aid, and CERT

12. Break It Down….. Prepared For What?

13. New York State Identified Hazards Food (including flooding due to possible dam failure) Hurricane Tornado Winter Storm Hail Storm Wildfire Drought Extreme Temperatures Earthquake Landslide Subsidence Power Failure.

14. NYC Identified Hazards NYC Hazards Building Collapses/Explosions Carbon Monoxide Coastal Storms & Hurricanes Disease Outbreaks & Biological Events Earthquakes Extreme Heat Fire Flooding HazMats, Chemical Spills & Radiation Severe Weather Thoughts on Terrorism Utilities Disruptions Winter Weather

15. So….What does that mean to me?

16. Consequence Based Planning and Education What are the 2 most common disasters/events you are likely to have to deal with? What are the consequences of these events? What do they have in common?

17. Overcoming the consequences Education and Information What are the safety actions you and your residents should know?

18. What do I do when……. • I smell smoke in my home/building? • The ground starts shaking? • I see a medical emergency? • I hear that we are having a wind storm/power outage? STAY SAFE!!!

19. What will your residents be most concerned about? • Survival • How will I get emergency information on what to do? • How will I connect with my family and friends?

20. Education Overcoming the consequences. Make a Plan Build a Kit Help Each Other

21. Individual & Family Plan • Communications plan • Stay off all phones for 3 – 5 hours unless you need 911 for a life threatening emergency. • Long distance, land lines are more reliable after a disaster. • Choose a friend or relative to be an “out of area contact” or relay point for messages to your family. • After 3 – 5 hours, call your “out of area contact” and check in! • Face Book if available • TEXT MESSAGING IS EVEN BETTER!!

22. Building Communications Plan Start With The Three P’s • Paper • Pencil • People

23. Create places for people to post notes

24. Then add Technology!

25. Individual & Family Plan • Disaster reunion plan • Where will you meet up if you can’t contact your family?

26. Creating a plan with your residents Expectations & reality 1.) Professional responders will be delayed 2.) Building Mgmt will be delayed or unable to help, depending on the time of day and availability.

27. Education Overcoming the consequences. Make a Plan Build a Kit Help Each Other

28. Build a kit • Store supplies for you and your family. • Water • Radio and Batteries • Flashlight & Glow Sticks • Prescription Meds • Food • Eye glasses • Comfy clothes • Sturdy shoes What do I put my supplies in? Where do I put my kit so it will be accessible and not damaged?

29. Around the house stuff that can be used after a disaster…….. • Pen, paper & markers for messaging • Ties, tissues, tape for first aid supplies • Garbage bags for insulation, rain gear shelter & bathroom • Sandwich bags for gloves • Pound on the walls to signal for help • Sturdy shoes • Water • Pillowcases to carry stuff • What else????

30. Encourage Creative Resourcefulness

31. Education Overcoming the consequences. Make a Plan Build a Kit Help Each Other

32. Your Best Source of Help Will Be…… Your Neighbors, Co-workers, Family & Friends

33. Planning and Relationships • Building relationships is hard • Language Barriers • Trust Issues • Physical limitations • Some communities/buildings have more turn-over than others • People don’t always get along…..

34. How can you as management and leaders help? • Create a buffet of ways to get the information to the community • News letters • New tenant packet • Bulletin boards • Special events • Trainings • Seek out the trusted sources to be advocates for your efforts. • Partner with other agencies & communities in your area

35. Capture the teachable moment • Be ready to provide information and training when the opportunity comes. • Events that happen elsewhere that capture media attention • Your goal is to have information, training, materials, resources available when they are ready to hear it and take action!

36. Keep it simple Your building/community plan should be simple: • Basic safety actions to take for the basic hazards • Step by step directions that are memorable • Establish meeting places for people to check on each other For example: SNAP – Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare

37. If you think you are inventing a wheel….. Think Again! • Modify what’s out there to fit your needs: SNAP; What to do to Make It Through; All Together Now; Map Your Neighborhood • Resources available through FEMA, Red Cross, • NYC and State have great web sites. • Build a relationship with your local office of emergency management, Red Cross, etc. • Look at grant sources with a different lens!

38. Ideas for success: • Create partnerships with your tenants & community: • Provide resources and recognition for their time • First aid supplies and training if they will take the class • Leadership training for those interested • Regular recognition for those who help • Examples • Department of Neighborhood Awards in Seattle • Target Corp. community building events • Police and other foundation support

39. Don’t get overwhelmed! How do you eat an elephant?