We recommend game-based preparedness challenges to make emergency preparedness fun and engaging.  Too often, preparedness is preachy and fails to sufficiently engage the community because it is mired in scary imagery and high capability benchmarks. 

In September 2010, #30Days30Ways was launched by the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) and successfully engaged players in 29 states and 5 countries.  608 preparedness tasks were completed by community members along with active information-sharing among players.  Platforms used included email, blog, Facebook and Twitter.

This game included a daily task posting, tracking completion, feedback/encouragement to players, donated prizes, and a roundtable with 13 finalists who all completed at least 27 of 30 tasks. 

Tasks used in Sept 2010 are available in a .pdf format for replication.  Additional games are currently being scoped for quarterly implementation by CRESA. 

More information can be obtained by contacting cheryl.bledsoe@clark.wa.gov or reading past blog entries at www.cresa911.blogspot.com. 

Key entries included:

• Game Set-Up:  http://cresa911.blogspot.com/2010/08/30-days-30-ways-preparedness-challenge.html
• Lessons Learned:  http://cresa911.blogspot.com/2010/10/lessons-learned-in-30-days.html