UTILIZE FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

Working with faith-based organizations to promote preparedness makes great sense because these are voluntary organizations where there is typically built-in credibility and trust between leaders and their members. A preparedness message authorized and/or delivered by faith-based leaders is more likely to be internalized and acted upon by members. Moreover, because of the credibility of the messenger and the relationship between the leader and members, members may be much more likely to promote the message to non-affiliated family members, friends and co-workers.

Another reason to utilize faith-based groups is that these organizations are often more successful in reaching minority groups and/or segments of society that can sometimes be missed when using typical/mainstream vehicles of communication.

Reach out to national leaders of faith-based organizations. Ask for their help in encouraging members to get ready for disasters. This could be a one-month campaign each year—the earlier in the year, the better; January or February might be ideal. Conducting an annual preparedness campaign during the same month each year means there will be ongoing, and hopefully, increasing awareness, particularly as the number of participating faith-based organizations grows.

Suggest that each local faith-based leader select a Readiness Leader and/or committee to coordinate the month-long campaign.

FEMA could offer to provide preparedness kits designed to meet the needs of faith-based groups. The kits could include bulletin inserts for 4 weeks, with each week’s insert focusing on a particular aspect of preparedness (Example: Week One – Why Preparedness Matters; Week Two – Develop a Family Plan; Week Three – Prepare Your Family’s Disaster Kit; Week Four – Know Where You’ll Go and How You’ll Get There). Inserts should not include paragraphs of information, but should rather be simple, hitting on only the most important aspects of the week’s topic or theme. However, all information provided, including inserts, should direct members to www.Ready.gov, www.FloodSmart,gov and perhaps one other pertinent preparedness website.

Along with weekly bulletin inserts, provide one Powerpoint slide for each week that coincides with the week’s bulletin insert. The slide should briefly, but interestingly, expand on the information provided in the insert (all 4 slides could be placed on one CD). It would be great if each slide included well-crafted audio to really grab the attention of audience members. The Powerpoint could be displayed during services/meetings at announcement time. NOTE: It is important that information be available for faith-based groups that do not have the equipment to use CDs. Suggestion: offer two options – 1) a brief skit or 2) information that can be read to members.

Provide a flyer that can be hung somewhere in the faith-based facility for the entire month.  The flyer could have photos of the various types of disasters people experience (flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, ice/snowstorms, hurricanes) and then at the bottom, list the four themes for the month, using same photos used for bulletin inserts (example submitted).

Suggest simple displays that faith-based organizations can exhibit each week to help members with their preparations.

By using bulletin inserts, Powerpoint slides with sound, a large flyer and displays/exhibits, FEMA would be maximizing its connection with the audience and reaching people (including kids) on at least some level whether they are visual, auditory or kinetic learners.

NOTE: If possible, the packet should also include contact information for local leaders of faith-based groups who may be interested in having their facility serve as a shelter or feeding station. Information should also be provided concerning what to do if their facility is damaged and needs assistance. It will be important to clarify that only those facilities providing a government service of some type (childcare, education, sheltering, etc.) are eligible to be considered for disaster assistance.