In the planning guidelines found on the Church's Provident Living website, we learn that wards and stakes should prepare for natural and man-made disasters that are likely to occur in their respective areas by creating an emergency plan. These plans are prepared under the direction of the bishop or stake president. They should be updated periodically. Each plan should:
- Identify likely disasters.
- Gather critical information.
- Outline assignments and procedures.
- Identify emergency communication methods.
- Encourage member preparation.
Ward and Stake emergency planners are encouraged to use the Stake and Ward Emergency Planning worksheets at preparedness.ChurchofJesusChrist.org in their planning efforts.
The remainder of this blog post will focus on the 5th bullet point, encourage member preparation.
How can we encourage preparation among members of the ward? One of the Wards in the stake has used their newsletter as a means to this end, by including emergency preparedness messages from the Ward Emergency Preparedness Specialist.
Likewise, the Ward Emergency Communications Specialist could use that forum to remind ward members that planning how they will communicate with their family members when the emergency occurs is equally important, and to explore options that do not rely on the internet or cellular networks when they develop a family communications plan.
It's also important to share with the ward members what will happen at the ward level when an emergency occurs. In the 3rd bullet point above, outline assignments and procedures, it specifies that ward emergency managers are to account for all persons living within the ward boundaries. This includes an assessment to determine if there are injuries to persons and damage to homes. Gathering this information will help the emergency managers understand the needs in the community, and determine how to respond.
You could also use a ward newsletter to share details of the ward emergency plan, such as how your ward plans to complete the assessment of each household after an emergency has occured, and how those contacts will be made.
If your ward is not publishing a newsletter, consider using the email messaging tool in Leader and Clerk Resources to share preparedness and response information with the ward members. Sending these messages by email can be accomplished with the assistance of the Ward Executive Secretary.
I encourage each of you to work with your bishop and ward council to develop, or review your emergency preparedness and communications plans, and share the pertinent details with the members of your ward. For additional infomation about the planning and response process, follow this link to the Emergency Preparedness Guide.
Thanks for all you do to help your ward be ready when an emergency occurs! If I can be of assistance please reach out by email via greg.fabricius@gmail.com.