Why getting people to write an emergency plan may not be the best approach

Why gett ing people to write Why gett ing people to write an emergency plan may not an emergency plan may not be the best approachbe the best approachNeil DuftyNeil Dufty

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HYPOCRISY & HERESYHYPOCRISY & HERESY(on my part?)(on my part?)

I helped to write this and now I am questioning the value of I helped to write this and now I am questioning the value of written home emergency flood planswritten home emergency flood plans

And home emergency plans have become a preparedness And home emergency plans have become a preparedness institution around the worldinstitution around the world

From the UKFrom the UK

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And in the USAAnd in the USA

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And for f iresAnd for f ires

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What are in the plans?What are in the plans?

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Home emergency kitHome emergency kit Precautions (e.g. sandbagging)Precautions (e.g. sandbagging) Responses to flood warnings Responses to flood warnings Contacts e.g. emergency agenciesContacts e.g. emergency agencies Recovery actions (in some)Recovery actions (in some)

Concern 1Concern 1

Many individual actions will minimise the need for rescueMany individual actions will minimise the need for rescue

Not true as we know that connected communities respond betterNot true as we know that connected communities respond better

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Importance of social Importance of social capitalcapital

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Concern 2Concern 2

All individuals and families can write and resource a home All individuals and families can write and resource a home emergency planemergency plan

Not true due to:Not true due to:-Literacy levelsLiteracy levels-LanguageLanguage-AgeAge-Disability and healthDisability and health-Internet skills and usage (online templates)Internet skills and usage (online templates)-Wealth - evidence from the US shows that some low income Wealth - evidence from the US shows that some low income families lack sufficient funds to stock an emergency kitfamilies lack sufficient funds to stock an emergency kit

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Concern 3Concern 3

Lack of triggers (e.g. gauge heights) for self action (e.g. self-Lack of triggers (e.g. gauge heights) for self action (e.g. self-evacuation) in many of the flood emergency plan templatesevacuation) in many of the flood emergency plan templates

Assumption that people will receive warnings from emergency Assumption that people will receive warnings from emergency agencies?agencies?

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Concern 4Concern 4

What are safe actions for flash flooding?What are safe actions for flash flooding?

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Concern 5Concern 5

Need to adapt to the unexpected, not plan for the expectedNeed to adapt to the unexpected, not plan for the expected

‘‘No two floods are the same’No two floods are the same’

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Concern 6Concern 6

Home emergency plans do not cover locations where there have Home emergency plans do not cover locations where there have been most flood deaths been most flood deaths

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Concern 7Concern 7

People don’t write home flood emergency plans anyway People don’t write home flood emergency plans anyway

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A better approach?A better approach?

Content for flood education & Content for flood education & engagementengagementWays to connect people prior to floods (including with the Ways to connect people prior to floods (including with the vulnerable)vulnerable)Expect the unexpectedExpect the unexpectedUnderstanding local flood triggers (e.g. gauge heights)Understanding local flood triggers (e.g. gauge heights)What to do in a range of flood situations including drivingWhat to do in a range of flood situations including driving

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A better approach?A better approach?

Methods for flood education & Methods for flood education & engagementengagementTailored learning approach to different psychological profilesTailored learning approach to different psychological profilesSocial learning (e.g. ‘Meet the Street’, world cafes, social Social learning (e.g. ‘Meet the Street’, world cafes, social media)media)Experiential learning (e.g. gaming, exercising, drills, problem-Experiential learning (e.g. gaming, exercising, drills, problem-solving flood scenarios, simulations, oral histories)solving flood scenarios, simulations, oral histories)Personal and community reflection about what to do before and Personal and community reflection about what to do before and in a floodin a floodRegular communication about not entering floodwatersRegular communication about not entering floodwatersEvaluation of content & methodsEvaluation of content & methods

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Thank youThank you

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