The Quest for Community Preparedness

A community is only as prepared as it is educated.

 The facts show that every single community is vulnerable to at least one type of disaster, which means every single person in this nation (and outside it) needs to be aware and prepared.  

 Just as we all live, work, and contribute to our communities, we share the responsibility of protecting our families, neighbors, and businesses against the effects of disaster. There are so many roles that each of us can play in reaching that goal and mitigating the effects of the disasters we face. Whether you live in the community, work in the community, go to school, visit, or simply travel through it, you have an opportunity at impacting its readiness.

 All these preparedness challenge submissions are amazing and would be highly beneficial, but let’s narrow this endeavor down to the brunt of disaster resilience... the community members.  This proposal involves an event to educate those that we see in the media in anguish after every fire, tornado, flood, and other emergency event. Let’s give those people (our friends, neighbors, and businesses) the opportunity to prepare themselves.

 Community events prove to be beneficial because they not only bring attention to a cause or topic; they provide fun, education, pride, and camaraderie among those involved and in attendance. This idea is flexible to meet the needs of any sized group or area, from a preschool to a metropolis, and this is sure to engage everyone in your group or community to better prepare before disaster strikes.

 I challenge you to a Quest for Community Preparedness!

 Participants are provided with a screen-printed beginner disaster kit bag with the Quest logo on one side and all participating sponsors on the other (and costs only cents to make). The bag is used to collect pre-distributed kit item discs that represent what you should be including in your very own disaster kit at home and at work. You can find these item discs at the designated sponsoring businesses on the disaster kit bag, and each item will correlate with the business at which you obtain it.

 (Don’t forget to browse the business while you’re there. You may be interested in making a purchase or meeting the employees. Also remember to take any brochures, coupons, or flyers they may have regarding their services.)

 Collect as many as you like, but four item discs are required for admittance into the Quest Fair. At this event, there will be informational booths for local, state, and federal entities that play roles in emergencies and disasters. Public, private, and non-profit organizations all have preparedness information for you, and you can find it at the Quest Fair.

 So now you know how to assemble a disaster kit, and you have every facet of emergency preparedness and response at your feet.  Once this day is over, you will have all the information you need to be aware and prepared.

 Each booth will be stocked with literature (phone lists, fact sheets, tips on preparing your house for a disaster, FEMA-for-Kids coloring books, National Flood Insurance Program leaflets, Preparedness kit labels, etc) and handouts such as informational magnets, pens, water bottles, etc. You will also have a chance at a prize trying whatever fun game that group has set up at their table.

 (Put all these items and information in your beginner bag!)

 There will be police cars, fire trucks, and a local ambulance. Demonstrations will show you how practitioners respond when they are needed. There can be CPR demonstrations, stop-drop-and-roll exercises, hurricane simulator booths, tornado drill simulators, hazardous material education, and even guides on how to structurally reinforce your homes for the hazards in your area.

 Local groups such as scout troops, high school clubs, college associations, and churches can participate. Imagine the possibilities with food vendors, balloon tents, slides, and performers or a band.

 Every single person in the community can be involved – whether a participant, business owner, vendor, responder, leader, performer, or demonstrator. The highlight of the event is that the entire community can be equal contributors and beneficiaries.

FEMA’s role:  FEMA already provides so much education and information so that America can prepare for disasters. FEMA can provide a community Quest planning guide on the fema.gov site. Attend the fair and supply an informational booth. Contribute to the beginner bags and item discs. Recognize communities that have completed the Quest!

 Benefits include:

Preparedness education

Risk awareness

Disaster Kit information/practice

Mitigating effects of disaster

Prepared families

Prepared businesses

Visibility for public service groups and local organizations

Exercise opportunities for responders

Advertising for local business

Commerce for local businesses

Opportunities for volunteers

Networking among locals and professionals

Professionals contributing various skills/expertise

Fun activities

Engaging children in positive recreation

Family activity

Community pride

Attention to your community

Possible tourism/attendants from other areas

Tangible take-home information

Media coverage educates those unable to attend

Minimal cost

Minimal planning time

 A DISASTER RESILIENT COMMUNITY that prepared itself!