Adapting preparedness outreach to a virtual world
Abstract
Over the last two years, agencies have experimented with new systems and tactics to reach as many people as possible with critical preparedness information. This paper describes how COVID-19 forced FEMA Region 10 to adapt its public education and outreach strategy to a fully online space in order to keep the public informed about potential disasters. The paper discusses how the Individual and Community Preparedness team at FEMA Region 10 reaches thousands of people around the world by hosting regular webinars, live events, workshops and training sessions, and publishing a monthly newsletter. The paper also argues that if preparedness and response organisations are to evolve their outreach strategies and messaging plans and extend the reach of their messages, they must continue to adapt and to meet their target audience where they are.
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Author's Biography
Ilyssa Plumer is a community preparedness officer for FEMA Region 10. She supports state, tribal, territorial and community partners with outreach, education and connecting resources relating to individual and community preparedness. This includes developing new partnerships and strengthening existing ones through facilitated discussions, webinars, workshops and planning efforts. She has performed various disaster response roles following events in Oregon, New Jersey, New York and Washington.
Samantha Robinson is a community preparedness specialist for FEMA Region 10. Her work focuses on enhancing and facilitating youth preparedness throughout the region and supporting disaster preparedness education and outreach to the public. Specifically, she facilitates the Region 10 Youth Preparedness Council, which empowers teenagers to become more involved in disaster preparedness. She has assisted with community outreach and disaster response and recovery in the wake of disasters in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Oregon and Puerto Rico.
Tanya Toribio is a regional preparedness liaison contractor working with FEMA Region 10. She supports Region 10 state, local, territorial and tribal partners through outreach, education and helping to form collaborative partnerships. She has previously assisted with preparedness, response and recovery efforts in relation to disasters in North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan and Puerto Rico.
Citation
Plumer, Ilyssa, Robinson, Samantha and Toribio, Tanya (2023, June 1). Adapting preparedness outreach to a virtual world. In the Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, Volume 16, Issue 4. https://doi.org/10.69554/CONH4497.
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