OHCE 2015
District Lessons
Ready, set, go!
Emergency Preparedness
Prepared by:
Gina Peek, Ph.D., Assistant Professor & Housing and Consumer Specialist
Barbara J. Brown, Ph.D., RD/LD, Associate Professor & Food Specialist
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Lesson Focus & Description:
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (n.d.-a), Oklahoma currently
ranks third in the nation for the number of disaster declarations. As of February 2015,
Oklahoma has experienced 75 federal major disaster declarations. Only Texas (with 88
declarations) and California (with 80 declarations) are higher. Oklahomans have faced FEMAdeclared disasters including but not limited to:
• Tornadoes
• Severe thunder
• Ice storms
• Straight-line winds
• Flooding
• Wildfires
Families are not adequately prepared for emergencies. Some of the barriers include:
• Money: Families may already be facing financial uncertainty; spending money on
disaster supplies may not be a priority
• Motivation: The idea that “this won’t happen to me” prevents families from getting
ready for disaster; they might consider disaster readiness only for tornadoes
• Time: Families are already burdened with many activities; disaster preparedness is an
additional task to add to an already full list
There are a few simple actions that consumers may take to reduce risk during an emergency.
Individuals with disabilities access and functional needs may consider some additional steps
(Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2014). This program focuses on emergencies
common to Oklahoma and encourages learning through reading, listening, and discussion.
Program objectives:
After completing this program, participants should understand:
 There is a connection between being prepared and survival during and after a disaster
 There are simple low and no-cost actions that individuals and families can take to be
better prepared
Program materials:
 Teaching outline
 Scripted longer PowerPoint
 Scripted shorter PowerPoint: 15 minute OHCE leader lesson
Suggested Props/Activities:
PowerPoint has a script. Think of personal examples from your own life, and encourage
participants to share stories. There will be plenty. Discuss props during the appropriate time in
the lesson.
 Have participants program phone with an ICE (in case of emergency) contact
 Handout #1: Have participants complete a FEMA (2013) Family Communication Plan,
accessible via the following link: http://www.fema.gov/media-librarydata/0e3ef555f66e22ab832e284f826c2e9e/FEMA_plan_parent_508_071513.pdf
 Handout #2: Have participants complete a FEMA (n.d.-b) Family Emergency Plan,
accessible via the following link:
http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Family_Emegency_Plan.pdf.
Preparation:
Please prepare for your program by doing the following activities:
 Review the lesson well
 Gather cell phone and print copies of two suggested handouts
Lesson Evaluation
 Safety issue team
Suggested timeframe: 15 minutes - 1 hour
References
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2013). Family communication plan for parents.
Retrieved March, 2015, from http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/documents/34330
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2014). Individuals with disabilities or access and
functional needs. Retrieved March, 2015, from http://www.ready.gov/individualsaccess-functional-needs
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (n.d.-a). Disaster declarations by state/tribal
government. Retrieved March, 2015, from
https://http://www.fema.gov/disasters/grid/state-tribal-government
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (n.d.-b). Family emergency plan. Retrieved March,
2015, from
http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Family_Emegency_Plan.pdf