Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management

Crisis and Emergency Management

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April 2004                                                                            Volume 6 - Number 3

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Perspectives...

Mitigation and Preparedness in Communities

Lori Fagan

Instead of relying on the Federal Government to determine mitigation and preparedness measures for a given community, local emergency management can play an active role in minimizing damages and preparing residents for handling a variety of disasters. Passing information locally personalizes the message, emphasizing the need for action within the community and tailoring the information to directly apply to the residents and instruct them in how they can mitigate damages and prepare themselves for a disaster.

During times of non-crisis, counties could make greater use of media resources available. Many areas have local television stations that can provide public service announcements. Some counties are working with local cable companies to develop public service announcements to be broadcast periodically. Other efforts include making use of local newspapers on a seasonal basis by printing information on how to deal with crises that may occur during different times of the year.

County resources that aid in mitigation and preparedness efforts include the volunteer community. Grant money is available for establishing and training Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and for staffing a volunteer medical reserve corps that can be run by the county. Volunteers are encouraged to join in these efforts by being reassured that their assistance will first help them to plan and prepare for a disaster to help themselves and their families and secondly, to provide assistance to the county as they are able.

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are another venue that could get involved with emergency management efforts. HOAs could be encouraged to take on responsibilities that include keeping communities apprised of appropriate mitigation measures; potentially hazardous situations; and volunteer opportunities available in the community. The HOA office could be set up to electronically receive disaster warnings, alerting HOA members throughout the county who in turn could alert their communities via posting signs or forming a door-to-door information chain, depending on the urgency of the information.

Teaming up with the private sector is another way a community could help pass information to those who need to hear it. Engaging businesses that are frequented when storm warnings are in effect to help get out information on a routine basis, such as sponsoring a static preparedness display or having brochures available at check-out lines, would ensure a larger percentage of the population has access to information on mitigation and preparedness measures. During crises, people want to take action and help others once their own families are secure. Providing information on where and how volunteers can help, such as organized community support to elderly or impaired residents, will tap into this community energy and direct help to where it is needed most. Prepared citizens take the strain off the emergency services and leave these services free to deal with the more severe aspects of any disaster.

Cooperation among county government, the private sector and local residents, combined with more visible marketing efforts aimed at tapping into the volunteer spirit within communities, and a better process for getting emergency mitigation and preparedness information out on a routine basis and during a crisis situation will help ensure that county residents are prepared for disasters, not only within their own homes and families, but also through contributions they can make to their county. Providing information through a variety of local sources (television, radio, newspapers), and organizing community volunteer efforts are steps that can substantially increase the likelihood that citizens will be motivated to take action. Through successful public-private partnerships, these mitigation and preparedness steps can be accomplished, enabling communities to better handle a variety of disasters.