OHCE 2015

District Lessons

Ready, set, go!

Emergency Preparedness

Prepared by:

Gina Peek, Ph.D., Assistant Professor & Housing and Consumer Specialist

Barbara J. Brown, Ph.D., RD/LD, Associate Professor & Food Specialist

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

Lesson Focus & Description:

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)(n.d.-a), Oklahoma currently ranks third in the nation for the number of disaster declarations. As of February 2015, Oklahoma has experienced 75 federal major disaster declarations. Only Texas (with 88 declarations) and California (with 80 declarations) are higher.Oklahomans have faced FEMA-declared disasters including but not limited to:

•Tornadoes

•Severe thunder

•Ice storms

•Straight-line winds

•Flooding

•Wildfires

Families are not adequately prepared for emergencies. Some of the barriers include:

•Money: Families may already be facing financial uncertainty; spending money on disaster supplies may not be a priority

•Motivation: The idea that “this won’t happen to me” prevents families from getting ready for disaster; they might consider disaster readiness only for tornadoes

•Time: Families are already burdened with many activities; disaster preparedness is an additional task to add to an already full list

There are a few simple actionsthat consumers may take to reduce risk during an emergency.Individuals with disabilities access and functional needs may consider some additional steps (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2014).This program focuses onemergenciescommon to Oklahoma and encourages learning through reading, listening, and discussion.

Program objectives:

After completing this program, participants should understand:

  • There is a connection between being prepared and survival during and after a disaster
  • There are simple low and no-cost actions that individuals and families can take to be better prepared

Program materials:

  • Teaching outline
  • Scripted longer PowerPoint
  • Scripted shorter PowerPoint: 15 minute OHCE leader lesson

Suggested Props/Activities:

PowerPoint has a script. Think of personal examples from your own life, and encourage participants to share stories. There will be plenty. Discuss props during the appropriate time in the lesson.

  • Have participants program phone with an ICE (in case of emergency) contact
  • Handout #1: Have participants complete a FEMA (2013)Family Communication Plan, accessible via the following link:
  • Handout #2: Have participants complete a FEMA (n.d.-b)Family Emergency Plan, accessible viathe following link:

Preparation:

Please prepare for your program by doing the following activities:

  • Review the lesson well
  • Gather cell phone and print copies of two suggested handouts

Lesson Evaluation

  • Safety issue team

Suggested timeframe: 15 minutes - 1 hour

References

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2013). Family communication plan for parents. Retrieved March, 2015, from

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2014). Individuals with disabilities or access and functional needs. Retrieved March, 2015, from

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (n.d.-a). Disaster declarations by state/tribal government. Retrieved March, 2015, from

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (n.d.-b). Family emergency plan. Retrieved March, 2015, from