Preparedness

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The workshops are designed for the participants to be actively involved. Adult learning is more effective when the participants are active in discussion and can find practical application of the topic.

Community Preparedness from the document flyer- if anyone would like a copy of the Word document please email and request.

Getting to Know Your Neighbors

Do you know your neighbors?

Regardless of the type of emergency you may face or where you live, it’s important to know your neighbors. The people are always on scene first.

Here’s why:

Emergency response teams will be delayed

Your neighbors will be the first ones who can help

They know where you live and will have a better idea of what you might need

So meet your neighbors today!

Being prepared for an emergency begins with “hello”.

Introduce yourself and let them know you live nearby

Tell them you’re making a plan in the event of an emergency and want to share your information

Exchange contact information such as a phone number, email, social media page, etc.

Plan together as Neighbors

You’ve met your neighbors. Now it’s time to put together an emergency plan. Working together to be prepared will help create a better plan.

Organize and announce a neighborhood meeting.

If possible, add your emergency planning activities to an existing community or neighborhood meeting

Use community news websites and newsletters, pass out flyers, and post in public places. Engage is social media, i.e. create a Facebook group

Use existing tools to create a neighborhood emergency plan

Emphasize the need for everyone to work together

Have follow-up meetings

Create a neighborhood map.

Create a map that shows the following details:

Point out key community services and resources that can provide support

Identify community members that have training or skills that can provide support before, during or after an emergency

Identify the location of community members who may have additional needs including families with small children, people with pets, the elderly or those who need help to walk or move

Choose a neighborhood gathering or evacuation site

Create a neighborhood contact list with addresses, phone numbers and emails

Important steps to take immediately after an emergency occurs.

Emergencies create confusion and stress. That’s why it’s important to have a plan and practice it before an emergency happens. The following steps will help you and your household members respond quickly.

Check on members of your household, family, and neighbors

If there is glass and fallen debris, protect your head, hands and feet

If necessary, shut off gas and water lines

Check electrical circuit breakers

Place a paper on your front door that says “Help” to let your neighbors know if you need help

If necessary go to your family/neighborhood evacuation site

Stay informed

Practice and stay prepared

Yearly

Practice evacuation of your home and neighborhood

Check and update neighborhood maps

Twice a Year

Check and confirm contact lists

Keep Emergency Kits up-to-date

Know the local Emergency Management contacts

Summer Preparedness

Summer and spring bring warmer weather and desire to be out and about. This provides great opportunities to meet with the neighbors and friends and have BBQs. Preparedness does need to be engaging and fun in order for people to continue. Water is an important resource to have all year around. It is even more important during warm months. Heat exhaustion and stroke are real hazards that affect thousands of people annually. It is a good idea for someone in the household or office to learn first aid and the signs of heat related trauma.

Weather hazards are a major cause of injuries and property damage every year. This is a good time to maintain supplies in case one of those hazards appear. Another part of engaging with your neighbors is to go over potential evacuation routes ahead of time. The evacuation routes developed at the government level are often not public information until there is a need. This helps minimize the chance of people wishing to harm others from setting up on those routes to take advantage of others' hardships.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management begins with the individual.

Winter Preparedness

Winter brings some seasonal hazards including icy roads, chances of heavy snowfall, cold temperatures, and many other things people associate with winter. The most recent States of Emergency declared for the Northern Nevada have been due to severe winter storms. These storms disrupt everyday business and personal activities. A few extra preparedness measures can be taken to help ensure people and businesses are still able to keep the cycle going.

Stay informed of incoming storm systems that can have adverse effects.

Keep a stash of salt and snow removal devices at the shop. When people see a clear sidewalk to the doorway they will be likely to come in, also slipping on ice does not feel very good.

Keep the outside are well lit. This will help people see potential trip hazards in the time of less daylight.

Keep a stock of food, warm clothing, blankets, water at home and the shop.

Have a communications plan with the family and friends. We never know when we may get stranded somewhere.

Pack tire chains.

Get flu shot. This is a major step to preventing another major pandemic. It also mitigates people getting sick and not able to work. We all know that even a 2 or 3 days of not working hurts the pocket book.