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Why This Guide is Important
Individuals and households play an important role in the overall emergency management strategy of a community. Community members can contribute by: • Learning about possible emergency events in your community. • Enrolling in personal safety and emergency response training courses. • Being aware of the outdoor environment and related activities. • Preparing emergency supply kits and household emergency plans. • Reducing hazards in and around their residences. • Monitoring emergency communications carefully. • Volunteering with an established organization.
Understanding what natural disasters, accidental events, or purposeful terrorists activities may occur in your area will help individuals and families focus on preparedness activities. Learning what actions to take before, during, and after specific types of emergencies or disasters increases individual and family resilience and speeds the recovery process.
Emergency response training, such as Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) provided by Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, or basic first aid classes offered by other providers, will enable residents to take initial response actions required to take care of themselves and their households, thus allowing first responders to focus on higher priority tasks that affect the entire community.
Living in the Pikes Peak Region affords community members and visitors closeness to the mountains and an ever-changing environment. Following sound practices to ensure your health and safety while enjoying the numerous parks and open spaces will result in enjoyable and memorable experiences.
By developing household emergency plans and assembling disaster supplies prior to an event, people can take care of themselves until assistance arrives. This includes supplies for household pets and service animals. These preparations will reduce demand and allow first responders to focus on those individuals in most need.
Reducing hazards in and around residences
By taking simple actions, such as raising utilities above flood level, securing objects during high winds and learning about proper use and storage of household chemicals, people can reduce the amount of potential damage caused by an emergency or disaster.
Monitoring emergency communications carefully
Throughout an emergency, critical information and direction will be released to the public via various media, including radio, television, social media, and the internet. By carefully following the directions provided, residents can reduce their risk of injury, keep emergency routes open to response personnel, and reduce demands on landline and cellular communications.
Volunteering with an established organization
Organizations and agencies with a role in response and recovery seek hardworking, dedicated volunteers. By volunteering with an established voluntary agency, individuals and households become part of the emergency management system and ensure that their efforts are directed where they are needed most. Please see page 12 for additional information on volunteer opportunities.
Photo credit: Kristina Iodice
