FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS

Family and Community Preparedness

Family and Community Preparedness

Introduction

Emergency management refers to the range of efforts involved in building the capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from an incident. Planning for such incidents vary by the type and scale of the incident. Non-profit, or not for profit organizations exist primarily to help and assist those in need by providing charity or education. They have a mission to help the "greater good" of society. Corporations, individual enterprises, and foundations are all examples of non-profit organizations forms. These organizations can consist of churches, clinics, public families, and public charities. The board does not benefit financially from the corporation. The board is made up of a group of individuals called trustees that manage and invest the assets of the corporation (Ashby, 2007).

Discussion

Non-Profit organizations do not make a profit and the corporations are usually run using government funds as well as donations. All profit that is generated is put back into the organization. They work towards areas of service that include community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

Communities have a storage location and replenish emergency supplies such as food, water, and first-aid supplies, as recommended. Officials reported storing backpacks in the rooms that contain enough food, water, medical supplies, and flashlights, among other items, for a short-term emergency. For an extended emergency, each family has a supply of emergency gear that includes: a 2- to 3-day supply of water, thermal blankets, sanitation needs, and energy bars (Maze, 2007). Similarly, community's officials we visited in Des Moines, Iowa, stated they have two kits for different types of emergencies.

The first kit, designed for families is to use in evacuations, is a duffel bag containing medical supplies such as: bandages, splints, face masks, and eye patches, as well as equipment such as: folding stretcher, blood pressure kit, stethoscope, and cold packs. The second kit, designed for custodians, is a garbage can that contains tools as well as supplies such as a broom, gloves, rope, water, and bleach, among other items (Ashby, 2007). In contrast, in one Washington district the disaster kits contain communication equipment, but they do not include supplies of food or water.

In addition to conducting vulnerability assessments, family drills, and maintaining emergency supplies, Communities took responsibility for a number of activities to prepare for emergencies at the district level. These activities can vary by locality depending on community needs and include oversight, coordination with other entities, and training (Maze, 2007).

Most Communities have developed written emergency management plans that address multiple hazards. According to the previous researches of Communities, we estimate that majority of all Communities have written emergency management plans with no statistical difference between urban and rural districts. Of those Communities that have written emergency plans, nearly all address multiple hazards in accordance with recommended ...