National Dialogue on Preparedness General Preparedness

One of the most critical gaps we have in our overall preparedness, especially in small local governments, is the lack of training for elected officials and other policy group members. Too often we just expect them to make appropraite policy decisions in times of emergency, but we do not train them what those appropriate decisions are.
As my project for the Master Trainer Program at EMI I am attempting to address this... more »

As I reviewed the proposed membership of the Task Force, I have noted the glaring absence of representation from the emergency medical services (EMS) community and emergency physicians. EMS providers and emergency physicians are the members of the emergency care system who will play key primary roles in a disaster response, regardless of its etiology. Although I commend the inclusion of firefighters, the specific designation... more »

I think that it ould be very imporatnt to include private sector representatives from the critical infrastructure groups who are charged with emergency management and contingency planning. I spent over 28 years in state law enforcement and found that the communication process, although improved over that time frame, was very lacking between government and key private industry stakeholders. As the person responsible... more »

Regular training and exercising is needed at all levels - government, volunteers, and community. Having people involved once a year or so, is not enough - we need to find a way to make things more available, online as well as hands on to keep people up on their skills and keep them interested.

I suggest you...start including the faith-based organizations in educating citizens about the need to set up a plan, a kit and a mindset. People usually believe what they hear in church and if the pastors/mentors etc. join in the 'chorus' of preparedness it would add some credibility that does not now exist.

There is an untapped source of manpower and equipment that has never been organized and used. There are over 632,649 pilots and 376,985 General Aviation (private) airplanes in the US and D.C.

Some States can brag they have an aviation unit at the State level, such as an "Air Operations Branch", but nothing beneath it to control. To my knowledge, it has never been tried before to organize General Aviation pilots to... more »

While the Emergency Alert System is in place to provide warning of an imminent threat and for follow up during an emergency, radio chould play a more significant preparedness role. It's portability, pervasiveness, the the fact that it can be listened to my millions simultaneously without degrading the speed of delivery (unlike the Internet), make it an overlooked resource for preparedness. A system, perhaps modeled... more »

Whatever work is being done, whether at the local, state, or federal level, it must include educational institutions as an participant. Often, educational institutions have tremendous resource pools that will assist with all areas of preparing for, responding too, and recovering from incidents and will posses some of greatest risk potentials.
Nation-wide, there is a push to incorporate private sector assistance... more »

Support inter- and intra-state mutual aid by assisting states/regions/local communities with funding and technical assistance to type resources and credential personnel in responder disciplines (all appropriate for response; not just governmental). Work towards an interactive resource information and request system to shorten and sustain response to a disaster or catastrophic event. Strive to align the EMAC Mission Packages... more »

I suggest that government and large corporations offer grant funding to local organizations that would stimulate a grassroots response to community disaster education and resilience. This initiative would focus on recruiting volunteers (retired, self-employed, etc.) to teach community disaster education and disaster resilience through the churches and other faith-based organizations, schools, and civic organizations in... more »

Work to train and engage volunteers prior to an event.

ICS doctrine has a problem with using standard ICS in EOCs, and AHIMT classes have no meaningful content on EOC integration (and the one FEMA class on ICS/EOC integration does not add much). The Planning function in and EOC may have the same purpose as that at an incident, but the practice is very different; ditto Logs and Ops (or what functions under "Ops" in an EOC: prioritizing resource allocation for field incidents).... more »

CERT teams should conduct SEVERAL family preparedness meetings in the community at schools, churches (maybe link with ministerial alliance folks) and fire houses. These meetings would present family and individual preparedness topics to include fire safety and having a fire plan for the family, but also being prepared for disasters, communication plans, etc. Partner with local hardware stores to publish lists of materials... more »

It is unreasonable to assume that the myriad of agencies within a region will effectively work together when each agency has its own and sometimes multiple funding streams, and each funding stream has its own set of extensive requirements. The Federal Government needs to evaluate a funding stream that creates an incentive for all actors in a region to work collaboratively instead of operating like silos. "A row of silos... more »

Support CERT and MRC volunteers with supplies and educational materials so that they can host "preparedness parties" educating their friends and neighbors on preparedness and work to build community resiliency with these sessions.