FEMA has stated “Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors [such] as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment’s notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate lifesaving and life sustaining needs.”
The PURPOSE of a neighborhood emergency plan:
- To account for people and
- Assess immediate needs in an emergency.
STEPS for preparing neighbors to take care of themselves and each other:
- Develop a neighborhood emergency plan.
- Prepare individual families.
- Obtain CERT training or similar training
DEVELOP a neighborhood emergency plan:
- Evaluate risks.
- Assess neighborhood needs and resources.
- Set up a system for reporting information and meeting needs with the people and equipment available.
For more information on CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) go to this FEMA page.