Phase 2: Community Health Councils & Community Outreach
The Prepared Community
Fall 2005
Course Developers
New Mexico Department of HealthOffice of Health Emergency Management
UNM HSC School of Medicine Center for Development & Disability
Shaening & Associates, Inc.
Contact Information
Bruce Blair, M.A.Psychosocial Community
Preparedness [email protected]
NMDOH Office of Health Emergency Management2500 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Joan MurphyPopulation Outreach [email protected]
CHCs & Community OutreachObjectives:
to understand the Prepared Community Initiative and be familiar with Phase 1
to understand the role & importance of community outreach in emergency preparedness & response
to identify tools and procedures to provide outreach to the entire community before, during, and after a disaster
to identify tools, procedures and local networks to provide outreach targeted to people with special emergency preparedness considerations
CHCs & Community Outreach
Module 1: The Prepared Community Initiative
Module 2: What Did We Learn in Phase I?
Module 3: An Overview of Community Outreach
Module 4: Targeted Outreach
Module 5: Targeted Outreach Planning
CHCs & Community Outreach
Agenda
9:00 Introductions, Module 1 9:45 Module 210:30 Break10:45 Module 311:45 Lunch12:30 Module 4 1:45 Break 2:00 Module 5 4:00 Adjourn
The Prepared Community Initiative
• Why Are Community Health Councils Involved?
• A Refresher on Phase 1: What Do We Mean by a Prepared Community?
• Gearing Up for Phases 2 & 3: What Do We Mean by a Resilient Community?
Module 1
The Prepared Community Initiative
Positioning Community Health Councils to be collaborative partners in health-related emergency preparedness and response
• Phase 1: The Prepared Community training, Spring 2005, and development of County Health Emergency Management Profiles
• Phase 2: Community Outreach training and development of local outreach; Fall – Winter, 2005-2006
• Phase 3: Community Resilience and Mobilization Planning; Spring 2006
Module 1
Why Are Community Health Councils Involved in Emergency Preparedness?
• What are Community Health Councils? Maternal & Child Health Councils created by
the 1991 State Legislative Session In some counties, MCH Councils expanded to
become Community Health Councils; in others DWI Councils and other groups involved
Spring 2005 – N.M. Health Council Alliance established
Module 1
Why Are Community Health Councils Involved in Emergency Preparedness?
• CHCs are an integral part of the Public Health infrastructure.
• CHCs are connectors:• connected to communities at grass-roots level
• connect and collaborate with other community groups
• becoming increasingly involved in local behavioral health collaboratives
Module 1
Phase 1: A Quick Refresher
Module 1
• What makes an incident an emergency or disaster?
• How is emergency response managed?
• What do we mean by the Prepared Community?
What Makes an Incident an Emergency or Disaster?
affects entire community community needs surpass capacity include:
natural disasters human-caused disasters technological disasters economic disasters
Module 1
How Is Emergency Response Managed?
• Response begins and ends at the local level
• Responding agency (police, fire) becomes on-site Incident Commander
• Command Post is established
Module 1
How Is Emergency Response Managed?
• If the incident exceeds local capacity, the Mayor or Chief Elected Official may request state assistance.
• If the incident exceeds State capacity, the Governor may request Federal assistance.
Module 1
The Incident Command System (ICS)
• On-scene emergency management structure which insures that:
• Everyone is working within the same organizational structure.
• All participants communicate on the same level with the same terminology.
• Resources are utilized effectively.
• ICS is flexible, with the capability to expand or contract to meet the needs of the incident.
Module 1
The Incident Command System (ICS)
COMMAND
OPERATIONS PLANNING
LOGISTICSFINANCE /
ADMIN.
Module 1
The Incident Command System (ICS)
• The Incident Commander has overall leadership and responsibility.
• The Command Function includes public information and risk communication.
Module 1
Remember: During an emergency or disaster, all public information/risk communication MUST be coordinated through the Incident Command structure.
What is a Prepared Community?
1. Informed and involved public2. Prepared and informed professionals3. Planning, preparation and policies4. Communication systems and connectivity5. Scientific and technical support and other
resources6. Administration, management, and fiscal
systems
Module 1
Informed & Involved Public
information to help individuals & families develop emergency plans
information for non-English speakers, people with sensory disabilities, those in remote areas, & others with special response needs
culturally sensitive communication
Module 1
Informed & Involved Public:Role of the CHC
Develop relationships with County Emergency Manager, Local Emergency Planning Committee, first responder groups, Red Cross, etc.
Participate in local emergency planning and advocate for inclusion of health issues in emergency planning
Develop relationships with local/district public health offices
Module 1
Informed & Involved Public:Role of the CHC
Identify and understand various populations and vulnerable groups in community.
Identify community resources. Create network of individuals,
organizations, and agencies willing to reach out.
Module 1
Phase 2 of Our State-Wide Plan
In Phase 2 of the Prepared Community Initiative, Community Health Councils will create/develop local outreach capabilities:
• creating/developing outreach networks that would be established pre-disaster and utilized before, during, and after a disaster
• identifying the “gate keepers” / leaders / communicators
• determining how to reach the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time (especially populations with special health care needs)
Module 1
Phase 3 of Our State-Wide Plan
• Community Health Councils will develop community resilience, mobilization, and psychosocial response plans.
• Plans will be integrated with the county’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
Module 1
Remember: Always work in collaboration with local
emergency management!
Community Resiliency Is…
• The Individual• Teaching people to access their innate
resiliency• Moving beyond psychological limitations that
block one’s ability to thrive; learning problem solving skills
• Engaging, committing, volunteering• Seeing the community as part of their “family”
Module 1
Community Resiliency Is…
• The Family
• Family support systems• Communication, cohesion, emotional connection,
mutual respect, commitment• Presence of a caring adult(s)• Spiritual wellness• Family time and routines• Family problem-solving skills• A Family Emergency Plan
Module 1
Community Resiliency Is…
• The Community• Community support systems (social support)
• Seeing the community as a “family” inclusive of all segments of the population
• Availability of resources
• Community engagement in its process of well-being; shared concern
• The community must ultimately take ownership of the process initially begun by others.
Module 1
Community Resiliency
• Preparedness facilitates recovery.
• Preparedness facilitates rapid deployment.
• Preparedness is good role modeling for others in the community.
Module 1
On a Related Note…
• Resilience in New Mexico Schools Creating a meaningful role for youth in the
community, through: an asset-based, injury prevention program enhanced connections between CHCs, schools, and
school-based health centers new curricula, such as the High School First
Responder Course
Module 1
What Did We Learn in Phase 1?
• What do New Mexico’s counties look like?
• What did we find out in the Profiles?• What did we learn from what we
found?
Module 2
What Do New Mexico’s Counties
Look Like ?
Module 2
Counties With PopulationsLess Than 20,000
Catron (3,535)
Colfax (14,189) DeBaca (2,132) Guadalupe (4,545) Harding (751) Hidalgo (5,343) Lincoln (19,814) Los Alamos (18,305)
Mora (5,269) Quay (9,811) Roosevelt (18,121) Sierra (12,988) Socorro (18,043) Torrance (16,664) Union (3,934)
Module 2
Counties With Populations Under 20,000 Spread Over More Than 3000 Square Miles
Catron (3,535) over 6,929 square miles Colfax (14,189) over 3,757 square miles Guadalupe (4,545) over 3,030 square miles Hidalgo (5,343) over 3,446 square miles * Lincoln (19,814) over 4,831 square miles Sierra (12,988) over 4,180 square miles Socorro (18,043) over 6,646 square miles Torrance (16,664) over 3,345 square miles * Union (3,934) over 3,830 square miles *Harding (751) over 2,125 square miles (fits the same ratio)
Module 2
Our Larger Counties-Populations Over 45,000
Bernalillo (573,675) Chaves (60,177) Curry (45,022) Doña Ana (178,664) Eddy (51,139) Lea (55,655)
McKinley (73,973) Otero (61,577) Sandoval (96,071) San Juan (120,367) Santa Fe (134,525) Valencia (67,578)
Module 2
Counties With 0-19 Age Group Comprising 1/3 or More of Total Population
Bernalillo: 159,294 of 573,675 Chaves: 19,105 of 60,177 Curry: 14,981 of 45,022 Dona Ana: 57,721 of 178,664 Hidalgo: 1,743 of 5,343 Lea: 18,034 of 55,655 McKinley: 29,767 of 73,973 Roosevelt: 5,856 of 18,121 San Juan: 42,039 of 120,367 Torrance: 5,297 of 16,664
Module 2
Counties With Senior Populations (Age 65 and Over) of 4,500 or More*
Bernalillo (66,710) Chaves (8,859) Curry (5,223) Dona Ana (19,754) Eddy (7,438) Grant (5,256) Lea (6,790) Luna (4,719)
McKinley (5,332) Otero (7,786) Rio Arriba (4,672) Sandoval (10,497) San Juan (11,024) Santa Fe (15,041) Valencia (7,199)
* There are 221,091 seniors in New Mexico
Module 2
What Did We Find Out In The Profiles ?
Module 2
Populations With Different Planning Needs – Children & Youth
• 10 counties have populations 0 – 19 who make up 1/3 or more of the county’s total.
• Children are separated from families during the day (usually at school).
• Many counties report large numbers of children are unsupervised after school (few or NO after school programs).
• Elevated teen suicide rates in many counties.
Module 2
Populations With Different Planning Needs – Elderly
Module 2
• Significant number of elderly who live on their own in remote rural areas (may have limited or NO transportation).
• Counties often report 850 or more grandparent-headed households, where grandparents have sole responsibility for raising some or all of their grandchildren.
Populations With Different Planning Needs
Module 2
• Chronic Mental Illness: many counties report serious limitations in their county’s mental health resources.
• Cognitive or Developmental Issues: many counties were unable to report numbers of people in this category.
• Substance Abuse Issues: many counties indicate that as many as 1/3 or more of their populations have substance abuse issues.
• Physical Disabilities: many counties report 2,500 or more instances per county; may include elevated state-wide rates of asthma, diabetes, cleft lip/cleft palate.
Populations With Different Planning Needs
Module 2
• Non-English Speakers: many counties report 25% or more non-English speakers
• Incarcerated & Institutionalized Individuals: most counties contain at least a county or municipal jail and many contain state facilities
Populations Living In Poverty
• Tend to be uninsured or underinsured• Significantly less access to the health
care system• Children living in poverty often depend
on school lunch programs for nutritious meals
• Less prepared for emergency or disastrous events
Module 2
The Unseen/Unrecorded Populations
• The “undocumented” population• Migrant workers• The homeless• College students• Tourists – State and National Parks• A major Boy Scout camp (Philmont)
Module 2
What Do Our Counties Say Are Their Greatest Needs ?
General Health & Psychosocial Needs:
• Need to address severe shortages of medical, dental, mental health and specialist providers
• Need to promote healthier families
• Need to provide better elder care
Module 2
What Do Our Counties Say Are Their Greatest Needs ?
Emergency Management Needs:
• Need more early warning devices for “critical facilities”
• Need to address shortages of equipment (communication, vehicles, etc.)
• Need more disaster response training for fire, police, EMS and other emergency responders
• Need better communication between county agencies and integration of their plans
Module 2
What Did We Learn From What
We Found?
Module 2
Geographic Challenges
• Much of the state’s counties are rural or frontier in nature.• Small populations spread over significant
square mileage Distances, geography, poor road conditions,
and poorly maintained communications infrastructure
Small villages with only one way in & out
Module 2
Family Challenges• Significant numbers of working parents
separated from their children during the day; separation is compounded during an emergency.
• Counties often reported 1,000 or more female head-of-households with children.
• In 55% of grandparent-households, grandparents have sole responsibility for raising some or all of their grandchildren; this could represent 850 or more households.
Module 2
Community Challenges
Some counties report:
• NO current county Emergency Manager
• Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) that are not current (with some last updated in the late 1980s)
• No pre-identified Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
• Noticeable lack of coordination between different agencies involved in emergency response
• CHCs where leadership is in disarray/disorganized
Module 2
Community ChallengesIn many counties there is:
• A lack of medical, dental, behavioral health providers and poor quality of service
• NO hospital…residents have to go to adjoining counties for services
• Minimal ambulance/EMS services• Low-literacy rates and a need for multiple language
materials for emergency response • An economy that ranges from “fragile” to non-
existent (by their own report)
Module 2
An Overview of Community Outreach
• About Community Outreach
• Variables in Outreach Planning
• Reaching the Whole Community
Module 3
An Overview of Community Outreach
Community Outreach… an essential component of preparedness &
response to public health emergencies There are things we can do before, during, and
after an emergency or disaster to reach large numbers of people in a short time.
Module 3
Remember: During an emergency or disaster, all public information/risk communication MUST be coordinated through the Incident Command structure.
An Overview of Community Outreach
Before an emergency: to provide preparedness information to
the community, including individual and family preparedness
to identify and locate persons with disabilities, the elderly and others with special response considerations
to establish relationships, trust, credibility
Module 3
An Overview of Community Outreach
During an emergency:
to provide information about: the incident, what is being done,
and the continuing risk where and how to get treatment,
including vaccination, prophylaxis
to locate and ensure the safety of vulnerable populations
Module 3
An Overview of Community Outreach
During an emergency:
to reassure people that they are safe
to validate their feelings & responses
to assess the impact of the emergency on individuals and the community
Module 3
An Overview of Community Outreach
After an emergency: to assess the ongoing needs of individuals
and the community
to help people access resources they need, including:
counseling and other psychosocial support financial assistance (FEMA, crime victims
assistance) other practical assistance
Module 3
Variables in Outreach Planning nature and magnitude of health
impact, including whether or not the illness is communicable
characteristics of community duration of outreach effort
An Overview of Community Outreach
Module 3
Communicable vs Non-Communicable Illness non-communicable: provide information
about where, when and how to get help communicable: reduce need for people to
gather in public locations to receive care
An Overview of Community Outreach
Module 3
Characteristics of Community Geographic: rural or urban; large
distances to travel; apartments or single-family homes
Cultural and language: non-English speakers; undocumented individuals
An Overview of Community Outreach
Module 3
An Overview of Community Outreach
Duration of Outreach Effort most effective if all people in target
population are contacted within 72 hours should continue until community has
recovered from event and activities have returned to normal
Module 3
An Overview of Community Outreach
Outreach mission/duration may change if: new information becomes available a secondary incident or wave of disease
happens there is a rapidly increasing number of
deaths
Module 3
An Overview of Community Outreach
CHCs can play a vital role by: identifying procedures and tools to provide
outreach to the whole community identifying procedures, tools, and local
networks to provide outreach to populations with special response considerations
First, let’s look at some approaches to providing outreach to the whole community.
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
The CHC can help to reach the whole community before, during, and after an emergency working with: Local media Reverse 9-1-1 Phone banks/hotlines Other methods
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Local Media (newspapers, radio & TV stations) can play a critical role:
BEFORE an emergency: disseminating public preparedness education/information establishing credibility as source of emergency information for
their audience DURING an emergency:
assisting in community mobilization activities disseminating information about where to go for help, treatment,
etc. AFTER an emergency:
disseminating information about where to go for resources, etc. disseminating information about how people can help
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Local Media – What Can Be Done? Develop and maintain media contact list,
including: names, phone numbers, and email addresses policies for Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
and advertisements deadlines for stories, ads, PSAs audience description and size
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Local Media – What Can Be Done? Engage, inform, and educate the media
about: what they can do to help local emergency management and response; the
command structure and the role of the PIO importance of alternate formats (closed
captioning, verbal messaging, etc.)
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Local Media – What Can Be Done? Remember, in an emergency, the Public
Information Officer (PIO) at the local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or Command Post is the official spokesperson.
All media inquiries must be referred to the PIO.
Be sure you know who the PIO is and how to contact him or her.
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Reverse 9-1-1 calls phone numbers in the community &
plays pre-recorded message most useful BEFORE an emergency to alert
the community could be used DURING an emergency to
provide information about what to do, where to get help, etc.
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Reverse 9-1-1 can be programmed to target certain key
areas limited capacity (typical system can make
48 calls at one time; at 30 seconds per call, it would take 17 hours to call 100,000 households)
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Reverse 9-1-1 – What Can Be Done?
find out if your community has Reverse9-1-1 and how it works, or work to have it implemented, if feasible
work to ensure the entire community can be contacted and that specific areas or vulnerable groups can be targeted when appropriate
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Emergency Phone Lines most useful immediately BEFORE and
DURING an emergency to answer questions and let people know what to do and where to go for treatment, resources, etc.
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Emergency Phone Lines could be a temporary toll-free number set
up at the time of the emergency OR an existing hot/warm line or crisis response line expanded to deal with emergency needs
callers could get a pre-recorded message or a live operator
live operators could screen callers & refer them elsewhere for specific help
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Emergency Phone Lines – What Can Be Done? find out what hot/warm lines and crisis response
lines exist in the community research what would be required to expand the
capacity of those lines or set up a new, temporary phone bank:
additional toll-free phone lines trained phone bank volunteers strategies to inform the public about the
existence of this service
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
2-1-1 Line toll-free number to help people find necessary
services and supports (food, housing, job training, childcare, medical care, etc.)
several communities have begun to develop this resource
could be a valuable resource, especially AFTER an emergency, but would require additional resources (referral sources, trained volunteers, more phone accessibility, etc.)
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
2-1-1 Line – What Can Be Done? explore the use of 211 services in an
emergency: understand the types of resources
included in the 211 database and how new resources can be added
identify additional resources available and add to central 211 database
recruit volunteers if appropriate
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community
Presentations and Briefings BEFORE an emergency, the CHC and others could:
make presentations for community organizations, churches, schools, etc.
set up and staff booths at malls, fairs, etc. to distribute preparedness information
DURING and AFTER an emergency, the CHC and others could go to places where people are gathered (shelters, etc.) to provide information, refer people to other resources, and assess needs
Module 3
Reaching the Whole Community Other Outreach Methods
flyers – the CHC and others could develop informational flyers to be distributed by USPS, stuck on garbage cans by refuse workers, posted in key locations, left at doors; these could be useful BEFORE, DURING and AFTER an emergency
websites – the CHC and others (including CHC member organizations) could use their websites to include preparedness tips BEFORE an emergency and updates DURING and AFTER an emergency
Module 3
Remember: Always work in collaboration with local
emergency management!
Reaching the Whole Community
Targeted Outreach• Who are the individuals and
groups who might need Targeted Outreach?
• What are some approaches to Targeted Outreach?
• How do we get started?
Module 4
Who Might Need Targeted Outreach?
Community Outreach is especially critical when there are barriers to seeking & getting assistance, including:
cultural & language barriers
economic & transportation barriers
special response considerations, such as disabilities & age
Module 4
Who Might Need Targeted Outreach?
Public information and community outreach is critical in emergency preparedness and response.
The elderly, people with disabilities, people who don’t speak English, and other people with special response considerations may not always get the information they need.
These groups may require more targeted outreach in the event of an emergency.
Module 4
Who Might Need Targeted Outreach?
It’s important that people with disabilities and other response needs have access to resources they need to prepare for, survive, and recover from an emergency.
While we know approximate numbers of people with different types of disabilities and other response needs, we don’t have any comprehensive list of who they are, where they live or what those needs are.
Module 4
Who Might Need Targeted Outreach?
Many local, community-based organizations DO know their members, friends and members.
AND, the Health Emergency Management profiles you created for your communities contain more specific information on people with disability and other special response considerations.
Module 4
Who Might Need Targeted Outreach?
• Children• Elderly• People with chronic mental illness • People with substance abuse problems• People with developmental disabilities• People with physical disabilities
Module 4
Who Might Need Targeted Outreach?
• People with visual impairments• People who are deaf or have hearing
impairments• Non-English speaking populations• Undocumented individuals• People who are homeless• Incarcerated and other institutionalized
people
Module 4
Targeted Outreach Approaches
Some of the approaches to provide outreach to the whole community could be effective for targeted groups as well, including reverse 9-1-1, presentations and briefings, and flyers.
Some additional, more targeted approaches could include: door-to-door contact phone trees word of mouth buddy system
Module 4
Targeted Outreach Approaches
Door-to-Door most labor intensive but most thorough decisions include:
Who will be visited? Who will make the contact? Who has most
credibility, trust? How long will they spend at each place? What if no one answers the door?
Module 4
Targeted Outreach Approaches
Phone Trees also labor intensive decisions include:
Who will be called? Who will make the contact? Who has most
credibility, trust? What if no one answers the phone?
Module 4
Targeted Outreach Approaches
Both door-to-door contact and phone trees can be used: BEFORE an emergency, to notify people of a
possible event; provide preventive information
DURING an emergency, to ensure people know what to do and where to go
AFTER an emergency, to ensure people have the resources they need to recover from the emergency
Module 4
Targeted Outreach Approaches
Word of Mouth Include message in emergency alerts to pass on
the information (“If you know someone who may not be receiving this message…”)
“Check Your Neighbors” Encourage community members to look in on
their neighbors, especially people who may need special assistance.
Buddy System Identify community members to serve as
“buddies” to people with disabilities and other special response considerations.
Module 4
How Do We Get Started? identify & train a network of individuals,
organizations, and agencies willing to reach out
identify effective and appropriate outreach methods/channels for your community
identify & develop tools and materials
establish procedures for mobilizing the community network
Module 4
Recruiting Network Members Who Would Be a Good Network
Member? knowledgeable about the community
trusted by the community
knowledgeable and respectful of different cultures
Module 4
Recruiting Network Members Who Would Be a Good Network
Member? comfortable initiating conversations with people
who have not asked for help
able to quickly establish rapport and credibility
quick thinking and diplomatic
Module 4
Recruiting Network Members
A good place to start: members of your Council & organizations in your Community Profile
Use your network of contacts, friends, and organizations you know.
Search out and locate grass-roots organizations in your community.
Search for “opinion leaders” – people who are well known and respected in the community – again, use your Community Profile.
Module 4
Recruiting Network Members Possible Members of the Outreach
Network: advocacy & consumer organizations service providers businesses serving people with disabilities lay community health leaders
(promotoras, CHRs) American Red Cross
Module 4
Recruiting Network Members
Module 4
Possible Members of the Outreach Network: HAM radio operators civic & service organizations faith-based organizations neighborhood associations school organizations
Recruiting Network Members
Getting the word out… Conduct Town Hall meetings and make
presentations to community groups, churches. Place ads and PSAs, distribute flyers. Collaborate with your local Emergency Manager
and LEPC. Collaborate with existing volunteer
organizations (Red Cross, VOAD, etc.).
Module 4
Training Network Members
Network Members will need: familiarity with your procedures for
activation, tracking, etc.
familiarity with community resources
“just-in-time” training related to the specific situation
Module 4
Training Network Members
Look for additional training opportunities, such as: Answering the Call Psychological First Aid Cultural Competence Stress Management
Module 4
Identifying Outreach Methods
What are the best methods or channels for disseminating information in your area?
What technological issues would affect your choice of method (phone line capacity, internet access, etc.)?
What factors would affect door-to-door contact and other in-person contact?
Module 4
Identifying & Developing Tools
Build a library of informational materials, such as tips for responders, family and individual guides for preparedness, flyers, fact sheets
Develop a list of websites to search for additional information
Module 4
Establishing Procedures Develop and regularly update your
Network contact list. Develop a way to communicate with
partners (phone tree, listserv, etc.) Develop protocols for mobilizing the
network, tracking contacts made, etc.
Module 4
Remember: Always work in collaboration with local
emergency management!
Implementing Your Outreach Plan
Before an emergency: Establish relationships with targeted population
groups, build trust and credibility. Provide information to responders on locating
vulnerable populations. Provide information to responders on working
with vulnerable populations.
Module 4
Implementing Your Outreach Plan
Before an emergency: Disseminate information to the community (tips
on coping, community resources, where to get help, etc.).
Make presentations to schools, churches, employers, community centers.
Module 4
Implementing Your Outreach Plan During an emergency:
Activate Outreach Network (via phone trees, email, etc.).
Distribute relevant informational materials, fact sheets, etc. to members of the Outreach Network about the incident, where people need to go to get help, what is being done, ongoing risks, etc.
Implement outreach (door-to-door contact, visits to shelters, distribution of flyers, etc.).
Module 4
Implementing Your Outreach Plan
During an emergency: Remember, always work in collaboration
with local emergency management.
Refine outreach plan depending on specific emergency.
Update voice mail message to provide emergency information, how to reach your organization, etc.
Module 4
Implementing Your Outreach Plan
After an emergency: Continue outreach (door-to-door contact,
visits to shelters, etc.) to assess ongoing needs.
Continue to provide information about the situation, where to get help, etc.
Module 4
Implementing Your Outreach Plan
After an emergency: Review what happened. What worked? What
didn’t? How might your outreach planning need to change?
Use this as an opportunity to get the community involved in “visioning the future.” What is needed to make the community more resilient? What are the community’s strengths?
Module 4
Remember: Always work in collaboration with local
emergency management!