Our hearts go out to the people in northern Japan who have been victims of the earthquake, tsunami, and now nuclear contamination. They are in our thoughts and prayers.
If you would like to make a donation to support the Japanese relief efforts, check out Network for Good’s relief web page, which lists a number of vetted organizations to choose from. Consider splitting your contribution -- make a donation now and wait to see where a future donation is needed most.
Are We Ready?
The complete and uncomprehensible devastation we have witnessed in Japan, as well as other places around the globe, has many of us asking -- Are we ready, even for what we can’t imagine happening? It’s human nature to put off planning for something we don’t think is likely to take place. It’s tedious, unpleasant, and event downright scary. But it does’t mean we shouldn’t do it.
Maybe it’s time to take disaster preparation seriously. Maybe nothing will happen; but if it does, wouldn’t you feel better if you did everything you could to ensure that people were safe and your organization could survive and rebound?
A simple way to prepare is to pull together a task force of staff, board, volunteers, and community partners to create an emergency plan. Below are a few questions to get you started and links to resource materials you can use.
Questions to Ask
Administrative Issues
- Can you access your computer files from offsite?
- Are your team’s files backed up automatically?
- Are electronic copies of any critical paper files maintained?
- Is there computer hardware available for use offsite, in the event your building(s) are destroyed or inaccessible?
- Is your insurance coverage adequate, and do you know who to contact to initiate a claim?
Personnel Risks
- Do staff and volunteers know how to evacuate and where to convene safely in the event of a crisis during business hours?
- Do you have a plan for quickly assessing how many people may remain in your building(s) after a hazardous event?
- Do staff and volunteers know where to get post event status updates?
- Do staff and volunteers have contingency plans for adjusted work hours or work sites?
- Is everyone certified in first aid and CPR?
- Does everyone have access to an Emergency Supply Kit?
Community Outreach Planning
- Do you have a communication plan in place that can be deployed quickly if assistance is needed, either in the form of donations or volunteers?
- Do you have a way to contact clients in the event of a change in services?
- Have you formed partnerships with other local organizations in order to provide mutual assistance in the event of an emergency?
For a more comprehensive look at how to prepare, check out FEMA’s disaster preparedness webpage Are You Ready? The page includes a Guide to Citizen Preparedness and an accompanying Facilitator Guide and video links you can use to start a discussion at your organization.
The American Red Cross also has a number of fact sheets you can download and print.
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