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Preparedness through Partnership & Collaboration
Emily Fortman
Regional Director, Preparedness & Community Engagement
American Red Cross Western Washington Chapters
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
We are guided by fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Red Cross Mission
Economists estimate that every $1 spent on preparedness saves $7 in response
It saves lives and property
It empowers individuals and communities
It furthers your reach and increases your impact
47% of Western Washington survey respondents agree it is very important to be prepared
The Importance of Preparedness
More than 55% of respondents feel unprepared
Less than half of respondents do not have a plan
Most people have pets and consider them family members
A little bit of fear can be motivating; too much is disabling
Strongest motivator to being prepared:previously experienced an emergency situation or disaster
#1 reason for not being prepared: “had not thought about it”
Research Findings
Preparedness initiative to better prepare 1,000,000 individuals in the greater Puget Sound area
Three-four year initiative
Investing in preparedness saves money during response and recovery phases
Priority for American Red Cross, locally and nationally
Similar campaigns in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, and St. Louis
Safe in the Sound (SITS)
Create or grow relationships with emergency management and public health officials
Promote action among vulnerable populations
Make preparedness “cool,” the norm
Don’t duplicate efforts
Be culturally competent
Preparedness Priorities
Any individual, group, or community whose circumstances create barriers to obtaining or understanding information, and/or to access and use the resources offered before, during and after a disaster event. Circumstances that may create barriers include, but are not limited to age; physical, mental, emotional, or cognitive status; culture; ethnicity; religion; language; citizenship; location; or socioeconomic status.
Vulnerable Populations Defined
Vulnerable Populations Operations Workgroup, 2012
Partner with organizations serving vulnerable or underserved populations
Recruit volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds; hire bilingual disaster educators
Communicate with and include leaders of cultural and ethnic groups in planning and mitigating
Educate children from vulnerable neighborhoods
Strategies
Effective way to reach vulnerable populations
Think outside of the box; ask the right questions
Provide preparedness training to organizational staff, volunteers, and clients
Be inclusive
Create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Partnership
Similar geographical footprintSimilar objectives/missionVested interest in preparednessComprehensive reach in communityWorks with multiple target populationsAbility to change demand for your services(policy level, leverage, grant funders)
“We’re stronger together than individually”
The Ideal Partner
Habitat for HumanityCatholic Housing ServicesKing County Housing AuthoritySeattle Housing AuthorityEl Centro de la Raza & Casa LatinaGoodwill IndustriesHopelinkInternational Rescue CommitteeLighthouse for the Blind
Nonprofit Partners
Cross train emergency management staff
Follow up with disaster clients (i.e. house fires, localized flooding)
Emphasize importance of ALL phases of emergency management
Focus efforts equally on preparedness and response
Collaboration
American Red Cross Language Bank
City and county emergency management
Public health coalitions, medical reserve corps
FEMA (PPD-8)
Partner Resources
Preparedness is as important as response
Create a culture of preparedness at home, in the workplace, throughout the community
Tap into relationships with community leaders
Focus on the most vulnerable populations
Conclusion
http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/Diverse-Vulnerable-Populations-Preparedness-041111.html?page=2&
http://www.diversitypreparedness.org/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19608962
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/VPAT.aspx
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/seniors
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps
https://www.disability.gov/emergency_preparedness
Online Articles and Resources
