FEMA Think Tank - March 22nd, 2012 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Last November, I launched the FEMA Think Tank - a forum to engage our partners, promote innovation, and facilitate discussions in the field of emergency management. There are two components to the FEMA Think Tank: 1) An online forum that encourages discussion on a variety of emergency management issues, which can be found at www.fema.gov/thinktank; and 2) monthly conference calls to further discuss submissions to the online forum.

During February’s FEMA Think Tank conference call, over 500 individuals participated in a discussion on technology in emergency management with featured topics on smart phone apps and amateur radio.  Participants on the call ranged from State, Local, Tribal, and Federal emergency managers, first responders, and others concerned about helping our communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. It was a productive and informative discussion of ideas, which reinforced the importance of bringing the whole community together to develop ideas and best practices.

I am pleased to announce the next FEMA Think Tank conference call will take place on March 22^nd, 2012 and I would like to invite you to join me as I conduct the call from the Centergy Building - 3^rd Floor, Hodges Room, 75 Fifth Street, NW, Atlanta, GA  30308. The call will take place from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and it will be open to a national audience of State, Local and Tribal government officials, and all members of the public including the private sector, the functional needs community, and volunteer community, who share an interest in emergency management.

The focus of this month’s conference call will be on Strategies and Approaches for Incorporating and Integrating Disability Related Access and Functional Needs Issues and Concerns into Emergency Management Actions/Activities.  Please check the Think Tank website for more information on the specific ideas to be discussed.

Kindly RSVP by Wednesday, March 21^st, 2012, to Nancy Mize at FEMA Region IV

External Affairs on (770)-220-5211 or by email: nancy.mize@dhs.gov.  Should you require disability accommodations, please let us know your specific needs when you RSVP.

If you cannot attend in person but wish to join the discussion, please see conference information below:

Call-In Number: 800-593-0692

Pass Code: Think Tank March

Individuals who would like to access the captioning for this event may do so by clicking the following link at the start of the event: http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1920179&CustomerID=321.

Until then, I encourage you to visit the online forum at www.fema.gov/thinktank to comment on the ideas we will be discussing this month or submit your own ideas and comment on others.

See you in Atlanta!

Sincerely,

Rich Serino

Deputy Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Disaster Readiness Planning Guide available from the Inclusive Preparedness Center

www.inclusivepreparedness.org

 

The Planning Guide explains how to use the Disaster Readiness Planner to help others get ready for a disaster. This Guide refers to the people you are planning with as “your partner(s)”, they could be a family member, friend, or someone who needs help in planning.

Almost everyone makes better plans when they work with someone else. The Planner helps people plan together. By following the steps in the Planner and taking action, you will do more than share information: you will help your planning partners become better prepared.

This Guide takes you through each step of the Planner, giving suggestions on how to use each step. You don’t have to be an expert or cover everything at once. Start with the first segments of the Planner and then do a few more steps each time you meet. Help the people you are working with get engaged in the planning process; don’t just give them information and hope they will somehow get ready later. Do things together, like going to the store for supplies, or set up a schedule you can check later. Make phone calls to coordinate activities with others, and so on.

Be patient, planning works best if you don’t hurry. Don’t tell your planning partners what they should prepare for or how to do it. Ask them what they think at each step, and then figure out together what is important to do next.

When large disasters occur, it is easy to panic and forget what to do, help your partner develop a habit of being ready. By keeping the Planner visible in the house people will be reminded to practice and make disaster planning part of their regular routine.