ACT NOW Preparedness Update

A periodic notice from FEMA’s Community & Family Preparedness Program

December 4, 1997

 

A Note from Ralph Swisher

In our continuing effort to keep in touch with you and other disaster educators, here's the latest Act Now Preparedness Update. Please forward the Update to others, or send names and e-mail addresses to ralph.swisher@fema.gov. If you do not want to receive future Updates, let me know and we'll take you off the list. Thank you and keep up the great work in disaster education.

 

Public Education Crucial to New Mitigation Initiative

Disaster education will play a significant role in reducing future disaster losses under FEMA’s new "Disaster Resistant Communities" initiative announced by Director Witt. Called Project Impact, the program was established to help local communities mitigate the personal and economic impact of natural disasters. The goal is to establish at least one "Model Disaster Resistant Community" in each state. Funds will be available to participating communities. Initiatives will be directed and implemented at the local level. Visit FEMA’s Web site (http://www.fema.gov) for a Project Impact Guidebook, and stay tuned to this space for additional details.

 

Call for Case Histories on Disaster Education

FEMA’s CFP Program is gathering information about projects, programs or methods that have been particularly effective in reaching and educating the public about disasters. As ideas and case histories become available, we’ll expand FEMA’s Good Ideas Book and get the information out through the Internet and other means.

If you know about any unique partnerships, volunteer projects or innovative approaches to disaster education, we’d like to hear from you. Consider activities that reach children, older persons and persons with disabilities; programs that reach into neighborhoods and places of work; resourceful approaches to project funding; and activities that effectively promote mitigation. Any ideas? Call 202-646-3561 or e-mail   ralph.swisher@fema.gov.

 

Good Ideas

"Keep messages simple, consistent and to the point. If people are told to do one thing consistently, over and over again, they will retain the information and do it when a disaster happens. If people are told to do too many things, or if they are told more than one way to do one thing, they will get confused." Rocky Lopes, American Red Cross

 

"To promote mitigation, consider forming partnerships with colleges of architecture, which require students to do community service projects. Also, look for opportunities with student groups affiliated with state home builder and contractor associations such as the Association of General Contractors." David Bilbo, Texas A&M University

 

"Giving your first children’s presentation? Try to get the kids involved in the learning process. Ask lots of questions. Find out what they know and what their perceptions are. Tell them what you're going to cover beforehand and that there will be time at the end for questions. Tell them there will be a homework assignment: That helps keep their attention." Jane Morton, elementary school teacher, Bellevue, WA

 

In the Field

Emergency Planner Pete McGough reports that the Alabama Emergency Management Agency is sending "Disaster Dudes" videos and presenters guides to some 2500 elementary schools as part of a statewide effort to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week in February. The state’s department of education is also actively involved in the program. "Disaster Dudes" is an effective tool for engaging kids in the learning process. The package was produced by FEMA and is available by calling 1-800-480-2520.

Disaster education received top billing at Florida’s emergency management conference. Workshops organized by state PIO Gailee Cardwell gave emergency managers a chance to share ideas and focus in on the challenge. Gailee cited a number of ideas she picked up at FEMA’s 1997 CFP Conference to get the discussions started. Case studies were offered by Wayne Sallade, Charlotte County, and Ronnie Goodstein, Pinnellas County.

 

Tools for Public Education

Financial Preparedness and Recovery Brochures

Here are two brochures on dealing with those difficult financial issues: "Before Disaster Strikes" offers ideas for reducing property damages, taking a household inventory and buying flood insurance. "After Disaster Strikes" covers financial recovery issues, such as how to reconstruct lost records, file insurance claims, and obtain loans and grants.

The brochures were produced by the National Endowment for Financial Education with FEMA and the American Red Cross. For copies, call 1-800-480-2520, or write to FEMA P.O. Box 2012, Jessup, MD 20794-2012. Include the title and brochure code, your name, address and Zip code. Please specify English or Spanish (Before Disaster Strikes, FEMA 291E or FEMA 291S; After Disaster Strikes, FEMA 292E or FEMA 292S).

 

FEMA CFP Conference Report

"Practical Ideas for Strengthening Community & Family Preparedness Programs," the 1997 CFP conference report, will soon be mailed to conference participants. If you’re not on that list, call Ralph Swisher (202-646-3561) or e-mail ralph.swisher@fema.gov. Come mid-December, the report will be in the "Preparedness Room" on FEMA’s Web site (http://www.fema.gov). The report is loaded with suggestions on educating children, promoting mitigation and developing partnerships.

 

FEMA's Disaster Preparedness & Mitigation Library on CD-ROM

The CD-ROM is primarily for disaster educators and PIOs who provide information about multiple hazards, and who want to reproduce high-quality educational materials at a professional print shop. For those needing printouts of materials, FEMA’s Web site ( ralph.swisher@fema.gov) still offers the best alternative. To order the CD-ROM, call 202-736-1648, or e-mail valca_valentine@oar-wash.com.

 

 

For more information:

Ralph Swisher
FEMA CFP Program Manager
Phone: 202-646-3561
Fax: 202-646-4371
E-mail: ralph.swisher@fema.gov