Emergency Preparedness
Demonstration (EPD) Project
Community Leadership & Emergency Management Agencies
What is the EPD Project?
A community planning process to
increase disaster awareness and
preparedness in at risk
communities.
Purpose of the EPD Project
• Determine promising practices
• Make recommendations for other
communities
Partners of the EPD Project
FEMA worked with:
• MDC, Inc.
• University of North Carolina
Who EPD Considered to Be At Risk?
People who:
• Are elderly
• Have small children
• Have disabilities
• Have limited incomes
• Do not speak English
• Lack transportation
• Live in disadvantaged
neighborhoods
EPD Steps
1. Site Selection
2. Community Connections
3. Community Orientation
4. Community Assessment
5. Plan Development
6. Plan Implementation
Step One: Site Selection
The EPD Project chose sites that had:
• Recently experienced a disaster
• Large numbers of at risk people
• Key people willing to help
• Supportive community-based organizations
• Supportive local Office of Emergency Management
Step Two: Community Connections
Community Coach meets with local leadership to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Clarify purposes, roles, and responsibilities
Discuss availability of resources
Set community meeting schedule
Identify neutral meeting locations
Decide who should be invited to participate
Step Three: Community Orientation
• Introduce the community to the project
• Recruit volunteers to:
• Conduct the Community Assessment
• Map vulnerable areas of the community
• Develop the plan
• Implement the plan
Step Four: Community Assessment
• Assess existing plans
• Survey community needs
• Conduct Focus Groups
• Complete a Vulnerability Assessment
Step Four: Community Assessment
Vulnerability Assessment
Map of important community features:
• Hazards
• Areas of greatest risk
• People and property at risk
• People with special needs
• Major employers & critical facilities
• Environmental threats
Step Four: Community Assessment
Vulnerability Assessment
Step Four: Community Assessment
Vulnerability Assessment
Flood
Zones
Step Four: Community Assessment
Vulnerability Assessment
Step Four: Community Assessment
Vulnerability Assessment
Community Feedback
Step Five: Plan Development
• Vision statement
• Goals and objectives
• Community review
• Final plan
• Accountability
• Sustainability
Step Six: Plan Implementation
• Fund Raising
• Technical Assistance
The Community Coach
• Leads the community through the steps
• Helps identify resources
• Connects communities to technical assistance
• Helps resolve conflict
• Acts as a sounding board for the community
Questions?