1. Basic Disaster Preparedness
What you need to know, need to do, and need to have to be ready for a disaster
Thanks for joining us for this first Disaster Preparedness webinars brought to you by Iowa Campus Compact. We hope that all ICAP, VISTA and other AmeriCorps members find this useful information for your personal and professional lives. We invite you to share this training with others and use it as a professional development training.
A few housekeeping items, if you are an ICAP member please remember to fill out your member training certification form at the end of this training. Also, if you haven’t “liked” or followed Iowa Campus Compact on Facebook or Twitter we encourage you to do that soon. We send out informational articles and RT stories from our members like you!
With that out of the way lets get started with today’s material.

2. What you will learn
Definition of Disaster Examining Risks in Your Area Building a Toolkit External Resources How to Raise Awareness
We will gain a better understanding of disasters that can occur. Primarily examining local risks to Iowans, but we recognize some of you are from, will live or travel to other areas of the country/world. Use this scope as an example and framework how to examine your risks where ever you find yourself.
Being better prepared will create decreased repercussions for you and your family. By readying yourselves, you will be better able to help others as well in case of an emergency or disaster.

3. Definition of a Disaster
“An occurrence that has resulted in property damage, death and/or injuries to a community.”
(FEMA, 2000)
“A serious disruption of the
functioning of society, causing
widespread human, material, or
environmental losses which exceed
the ability of affected society to
cope using only its own resources.”
(U.N., 1992)
These are a few definitions by organizations that deal with disasters regularly. While this doesn’t encompass all of what a disaster might involve, it is good boilerplate definition. We will further discuss impacts of disasters that can impact families and communities for years to come. If you are particularly interested we suggest viewing not only this training, but also our 2 other training sessions.

4. Disaster Defining Characteristics
Length of Forewarning Magnitude of Impact Geographical Scope of Impact Duration of Impact Speed of Onset
There are some general characteristics that can describe the potential effect of a disaster.
Was there tornado sirens, weather reports, or long periods of inclimate weather?
How bad was it? Did you/others have to evacuate? Damage to buildings? Injuries?
Local? State? Regional? How will the impact affect other areas? Flooding releasing debris down river to next town or wildfire polluting air.
How long did it last or will the recovery last? Weeks? Months? Years?
Was it unexpected? Flash Flood or earthquake.

5. Examining Risk National Risks Iowa Risks
Flooding Tornadoes Winter Storms Drought
Drought Earthquakes Hurricanes Tornadoes Volcanoes Wildfires Floods Landslides Avalanches Blizzards Extreme Heat
Each region of the country faces risks that are more likely than others. In Iowa, there are even regional differences. For example, Eastern Iowa is more likely to face flooding than other parts. Tornadoes occur more often Western Iowa. This plays into the importance of being aware of your risks. Manage your risk by understanding each of the possible severe weather risks.

6. Creating a Plan
Develop a system to get in contact with family members or where to go to meet in case of a disaster
Phone lines and cellphone towers may be overwhelmed during a disaster. Text messages have a better chance of going through.
Disaster, especially sudden disasters, can create panic and chaos. Families and individuals whom have contingency plans such as where to go, who to call, etc. in case of emergency are the best prepared to handle situations.
Here is how to create your Family Disaster Plan:
Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Keep it simple enough so people can remember the important details. A disaster is an extremely stressful situation that can create confusion. The best emergency plans are those with very few details.
Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case. Discussing disasters ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety and will help everyone know how to respond.
Pick two places to meet: Right outside of your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire. Outside of your neighborhood in case you can’t return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood. Everyone must know the address and phone number of the meeting locations.
Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during floods or other disasters, have a plan for getting back together. Separation is a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school.
Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be your "family contact." Your contact should live outside of your area. After a disaster, it is often easier to make a long distance call than a local call. Family members should call the contact and tell him or her where they are. Everyone must know the contact’s name, address, and phone number.
Discuss what to do if authorities ask you to evacuate. Make arrangements for a place to stay with a friend or relative who lives out of town and/or learn about shelter locations.
Be familiar with escape routes. Depending on the type of disaster, it may be necessary to evacuate your home. Plan several escape routes in case certain roads are blocked or closed. Remember to follow the advice of local officials during evacuation situations. They will direct you to the safest route; some roads may be blocked or put you in further danger.
Plan how to take care of your pets. Pets (other than service animals) are not permitted to be in places where food is served, according to many local health department regulations. Plan where you would take your pets if you had to go to a public shelter where they are not permitted.

7. Assembling a Disaster Prep Kit
Why?
If there is a disaster 911 may not be able to get to you as quickly as you need.
Self-reliance is vital to your well-being.
A plan increases your chances of survivability
What?
How much stuff?
Where to keep it?
This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.
You never know where or when disaster will strike. Have a kit for home, work and in your vehicle. This will cover the majority of situations or places you might be in.

8. Disaster Toolkit Pack Don’t Pack
Copies of Vital Records
Insurance Information
Contact List of Family/Friends
Battery-powered or hand crank radio Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Foods that need water or other perishable items to prepare
Beauty items
This is an example list from ready.gov on some useful items to have in your toolkit.

9. I’ve got this toolkit, now what do I do?
You will want to store these toolkits in a memorable, easy to get to place. If a tornado or sever weather is threatening you don’t want to have to crawl up into the attic. The kit should be water proof and not susceptible to insects or animals. Try to examine everything in your prep kit yearly, checking expiration dates and adding anything you think would be useful.
A toolkit is never finished and you should always be learning more about how to work towards improving your personal safety. [Insert zombie survival joke her].

10. Examining Local Resources
Where to go
Who to seek out
What numbers to call
Where: Depending on the type of emergency will determine the response.
Who: as we discussed earlier having a designated family contact to call in case of emergency. Of course police or fire personnel if it is local incident, but likely they will already know and might be helping others already. If you are prepared, you may be in a position to help neighbors, but remember to be cautious and safety conscious.
Numbers to call: Have a list in your toolkit like we discussed. Numbers of family members, local disaster response units or emergency personnel, red cross.

11. Next Steps
A better informed person is in a situation to help themselves AND help others
How can I help my campus be more prepared?
What is our campus disaster plan? Does our campus have a disaster plan?
How can I impact the student body on my campus?

12. Links and Resources FEMA’s central disaster preparedness website
RedCross’s guide to preparing your Home and Family
FEMA’s basic Preparedness Manual and Checklist