Do you know which of your neighbors might need extra help when an emergency occurs? Who might you turn to if you need help? Come to the May meeting to hear about the advantages of setting up a Neighborhood Response Team. Details here
“ALL DISASTERS ARE LOCAL”
When the F5 tornado hit Joplin, Missouri some years back, the response was remarkable for its efficiency and success in minimizing the impact on the local citizens. Part of that success lies in the initial push by the local emergency leaders. They worked through the churches and schools to take advantage of existing calling trees. They asked those organizations to reach as many of their constituents as possible and ask two questions: 1) Do you need help? And 2) Can you help? Once the response were gathered the emergency management leadership matched people with resources to those needing help.
Hancock County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disasters) would like to establish a similar approach, proactively taking that resource inventory/needs tracking to the neighborhood level. Our vision is to establish Neighborhood Response Teams, consisting of 3-4 people, to reach out to their neighbors and ask those same questions: Will you need help/Will you help. The COAD will offer those teams support in the form of survey forms, educational preparedness materials to hand out and mobile communications.
