2009 Coordinators’ Briefings

Public Affairs Office

Virginia Department of Emergency Management

Public Outreach Update

2009 Strategic Outreach Plan

2008 research revealed major misperception – people think they are ready, but they are not:

Perception vs. Reality 54% feel prepared 71% do not have critical supplies, including a family

emergency plan

Misperception and Opportunity

Misperception leads to opportunity – help residents understand what it means to be prepared:

Give people a baseline. 3-day supply of non-perishable food 3-day supply of water Working battery operated radio and batteries A written family emergency plan

Important Influencers

People more likely to take preparedness actions if recommended by: Local fire or police officials (80%) Local weather or TV news announcers (66%); #1 in

Hampton Roads

2009 Target Audiences

Certain groups are either very underserved or more likely to take action:

Who needs Ready Virginia? Least prepared are the oldest (65+) and the

youngest (34-) Families with children tend to be better prepared 56% of Hispanics don’t feel prepared

What Does 2009 Plan Include?

Emphasis on making a plan New RV and RV seniors brochures Family plan worksheets in English & Spanish Articles for homeowner’s associations Radio Disney partnership ‘World Upside Down’ radio and TV PSAs Use of Twitter and Facebook Tabletop displays in English and Spanish Extensive Hispanic outreach

New LV brochure, hurricane guide, media campaign

2009 NPM Goal

To change perceptions about emergency preparedness and help Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready

Ready Virginia and NPM

Encouraged local and state agencies and organizations to register as NPM Coalition members and to sponsor events65 voluntarily registered

Provided resources to local EMs, Citizen Corps, homeowners’ associations, English and Spanish media and meteorologistsBrochures, family plans, kids’ game sheets, magnets

Local Efforts to Promote NPM

25 local governments voluntarily reported hundreds of activities to Ready Virginia Training, exercises, employee preparedness classes Twitter, Facebook and locality Web sites Local government access TV channels

Local Efforts to Promote NPM

Traditional and non-traditional outreach Assistance to Boy Scouts with preparedness award Visits to retirement villages Displays in county and city offices Locality proclamations Bookmarks in library books City/county newsletters

Local Efforts to Promote NPM

Community Safety Fairs, Disaster Days, special events Family and business planning workshops Set up of Mobile Command Posts Are You Ready? citizen classes CERT classes

Clear National Messages

Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility.

Everyone should have a personal response plan for a disaster.

Everyone should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least the first 72 hours.

Clearly setting the expectation for personal responsibility is a way to clear up misperceptions.

What’s Next?

2010 Strategic Outreach Plan Continued emphasis on making a plan and

getting the four basics Continued emphasis on families/mothers Emphasis on personal responsibility Reorganization of Web sites Virginia preparedness survey (summer) Information in additional languages

What do you need?

www.ReadyVirginia.gov

www.ListoVirginia.gov

Questions?