JoAnn Jordan Public Education Coordinator City of Seattle, Office of Emergency Management

 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

Preparedness Pill

 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.

DANGER 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?

 If yes, how can we bridge the gap?  Communication  Coordination  Collaboration  Education  Support  Celebration

 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.

What would a prepared community look like?

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

 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

Prepared For What?

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.

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

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?

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

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!!!

 Survival  How will I get emergency information on what to do?  How will I connect with my family and friends?

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

 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!!

Start With The Three P’s  Paper  Pencil  People

 Disaster reunion plan  Where will you meet up if you can’t contact your family?

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.

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

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?

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????

Education  Overcoming the consequence s.  Make a Plan  Build a Kit  Help Each Other

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

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…..

 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

 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!

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

 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!

 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

How do you eat an elephant?