Community emergency preparedness roundtable discussion
Community Planning and Capacity Building?
Community planning and capability building is the ability to plan for recovery, engage the community in the recovery planning process and build capacity for local plan implementation and recovery management. Following a disaster, communities and their local governments are often forced to make complex recovery decisions. These decisions range widely and can include important topics such as business reinvestment, affordable housing, and building long-term resilience. In addition, many of these communities may lack the capability to address the planning and decision-making processes needed to start their recovery. The consequences of these decisions may impact community prosperity, safety, and identity for years to come.
Community Preparedness Roundtable Discussion provides a forum where Governmental and non-governmental partners come together to share information and pool planning support resources. These resources can include planning technical assistance, program support, or funding for planning and capacity building-related initiatives.
Supporting Vulnerable and At-Risk Populations
During disasters or emergencies, local governments and communities face critical decisions that profoundly affect vulnerable populations, including older adults, children, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those with disabilities. Recent events have underscored the specific challenges these groups encounter related to evacuation, sheltering, and transportation before, during, and after emergencies. To improve emergency planning, a "whole community" approach is essential. This method promotes the active involvement of local businesses, community organizations, and faith-based groups that serve vulnerable populations, whether as direct service providers or advocates. Collaborative efforts among these emergency planning partners are crucial for effectively meeting the needs of these communities.
Whole Community Resiliency Planning -
Theme: Supporting Vulnerable and At-Risk Populations
Purpose: This discussion will explore how local partners can provide emergency services to at-risk populations during the critical 72-hour period following a disaster or emergency requiring evacuation, transportation, or sheltering.
Objective: Engage participants in an interactive group discussion to:
- Facilitate Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships between public and private sectors, along with community-based organizations (CBOs), to effectively meet the disaster preparedness, response, and recovery needs of vulnerable populations.
- Determine Support Needs: Identify the specific types of assistance required by vulnerable groups during emergencies.
- Examine Roles: Explore how local businesses and CBOs can contribute to delivering essential emergency services.
- Develop Strategies: Create actionable strategies to enhance preparedness and reduce service disruptions during disasters.
Goal: To foster a collaborative network among public and private sectors and community-based organizations (CBOs) that effectively addresses disaster preparedness, response, and recovery needs of vulnerable individuals.
Call to Action: Join us in this crucial discussion to shape the future of emergency services for at-risk populations. Together, let's strengthen our partnerships and identify the specific support needs of vulnerable individuals during crises. We invite public and private sector representatives, community-based organizations, and all stakeholders to come together to explore our roles and develop actionable strategies that enhance preparedness and minimize service disruptions. Together, we can create a resilient network committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities during disasters. Your participation is vital—let's make a difference together!