Preparing for an Emergency
Guide for Presenters
INTRODUCTION
Personal and family preparedness is a critical element of any community or
organization’s emergency planning. Despite various motivators, such as actual
events and public information, individuals and families are largely unprepared to
respond to emergency and disaster situations. Preparing in advance of an
emergency ensures a coordinated, timely, and effective response and can be
accomplished with a few simple steps. Local public health authorities have a key
role in promoting personal and family preparedness.
The Cambridge Advanced Practice Center for Emergency Preparedness has developed training tools to
support public education and outreach in your community. The most often cited barriers to planning are
time and know-how. These tools present personal preparedness so that it is easily accomplished and
intuitive. The tools were developed based on all-hazards planning to cover a range of possible
emergencies or disasters. Stay-in-place and evacuation strategies are presented.
For many individuals, preparedness planning is complicated by additional
factors. These factors may include low-literacy, language barriers, physical and
cognitive disability, and financial means. These training tools were designed to
improve access to preparedness concepts with simply-stated messages,
illustration of key concepts, predominant language translation, and delivery
through various community forums.
These tools will help the presenter communicate the importance of personal preparedness to multiple
audiences, including service provider organizations, businesses and government agencies to support
continuity of operations planning (COOP). These training tools support education and outreach in such
settings as:
• schools
• Medical Reserve Corps
• book groups
• church groups
• recreational centers
• senior centers
• neighborhood associations
• workplace wellness programs
TRAINING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
 Identify the importance of personal preparedness and barriers to planning for emergencies and
disasters.
 Describe the key components of an emergency preparedness plan, including a family
communication plan.
 Relate preparing for disasters to personal experiences with everyday, ordinary emergencies (i.e.
house fire, blizzard, etc.).
 Distinguish between planning for types of emergencies that require stay-in-place vs. evacuation.
 Assemble emergency preparedness resources that are already in the home.
 Assess level of personal preparedness to determine strategies for becoming better prepared.
 Review and revise emergency preparedness plan over time.
These materials were developed with support from Cooperative Agreement Number U50/CCU302718 from CDC to NACCHO.
The contents are solely the responsibility of the Cambridge Public Health Department Advance Practice Center for Emergency
Preparedness and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC or NACCHO.
Preparing for an Emergency
Guide for Presenters
TRAINING TOOLS
The following tools can be used in different combinations depending on the amount of time available at
each setting.
Video – Preparing for an Emergency demonstrates how individuals and their families can
prepare for large and small emergencies with a few simple steps.
Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) – You Don't Have to Prepare Alone PSA
encourages individuals age 62 and over to use the buddy system to support emergency
preparedness planning.
Home Preparedness Survey – This brief seven-question survey is used to assess
participants’ level of preparedness and can be used as a tool for follow-up evaluation to
measure behavior change. It also serves as an intervention tool to encourage individuals to
evaluate their own level of preparedness. It is used in conjunction with the Emergency
Preparedness Checklist. Health departments can customize this survey with local
information.
Emergency Preparedness Checklist – Used in conjunction with the Home Preparedness
Survey, this is a recommended list of items and planning strategies for stay-in-place and
evacuation. Participants can tailor this list to their specific needs and to the needs of their
families and pets or service animals.
Personal Preparedness Worksheets – Also used in conjunction with the Home
Preparedness Survey, these worksheets can replace the Emergency Preparedness Checklist
or supplement it. The worksheets provides greater access to emergency planning concepts
through use of illustration. This high resolution PDF file is ready for print and production in
any community.
Home Preparedness Slide Show – This PowerPoint presentation guides training
participants through the process of preparing for a range of emergencies. It can be used with
the video, survey and hand-outs for a full 45 minute training session.
Evaluation – Trainers can customize this template with their organization’s information
and select from the list of training satisfaction questions according to their evaluation needs.
This brief satisfaction survey can be administered at the end of the training.
Additional training tools - For more details and help with emergency preparedness, visit
Ready.gov at www.ready.gov or go to the following links:

Family Communication Plan
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf

Prepare for your pets
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/pets.pdf

Prepare for seniors
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/older_americans.pdf

Prepare for special populations
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/disabilities.pdf
These materials were developed with support from Cooperative Agreement Number U50/CCU302718 from CDC to NACCHO.
The contents are solely the responsibility of the Cambridge Public Health Department Advance Practice Center for Emergency
Preparedness and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC or NACCHO.
Preparing for an Emergency
Guide for Presenters
GUIDELINES
The video, Preparing for an Emergency, can be used with or without the Home Preparedness Slide Show
depending on the availability of time. First, before viewing the video, it is recommended that the
participants take the Home Preparedness Survey to assess their level of preparedness. After taking the
survey, participants will receive an Emergency Preparedness Checklist or Emergency Preparedness
Begins at Home Brochure to identify areas for improvement.
Sample training format with video and slide show:
1.) Introduction to emergency preparedness (Use Home Preparedness Slide Show)
2.) Home Preparedness Survey
3.) Emergency Preparedness Checklist or brochure
4.) How to prepare for any emergency (Continue with Home Preparedness Slide Show)
5.) Video
6.) Closing comments
Sample training format without slide show:
1.) Brief introduction to emergency preparedness (Use speaker’s notes from slide show).
2.) Home Preparedness Survey
3.) Emergency Preparedness Checklist or brochure
4.) Video
5.) Closing comments
PLAYING THE VIDEO
Preparing for an Emergency is available on DVD for use with DVD players and computers with
a DVD compatible drive. Please be sure to test your equipment prior to conducting a training.
This video is also available online at: http://sph.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/CPHD/prepare.html
RECOMMENDATION
Venues for playing the video
 Local access cable television.
 Link to online video from organization’s website.
 Send press releases to local media sources to direct public to view the video online, on local cable
TV, or at community meetings and events. (Sample press releases included).
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Federal
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Ready.gov: www.ready.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Disasters and Emergencies webpage:
http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/
State
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): www.mass.gov/mema
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: http://www.mass.gov/dph/topics/emerpreparedness.htm
These materials were developed with support from Cooperative Agreement Number U50/CCU302718 from CDC to NACCHO.
The contents are solely the responsibility of the Cambridge Public Health Department Advance Practice Center for Emergency
Preparedness and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC or NACCHO.
Preparing for an Emergency
Guide for Presenters
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Cambridge Public Health Department is home to one of eight Advanced Practice Centers
for Emergency Preparedness funded by the National Association of County and City Health
Officials (NACCHO) to develop and demonstrate innovative emergency preparedness
programs to be shared with other health departments in the country. The Cambridge Advanced
Practice Center for Emergency Preparedness is responsible for preparing the city of Cambridge,
Cambridge Health Alliance hospitals and other primary care sites for major emergencies. The
Cambridge Advanced Practice Center for Emergency Preparedness also coordinates preparedness
activities for Massachusetts Emergency Preparedness Region 4b, which is comprised of 27
communities surrounding the City of Boston.
The Cambridge Advanced Practice Center has made unique contributions to the field of public health
emergency preparedness. It has produced tools and resources that can be used by local public health
departments throughout the country. The Advanced Practice Center developed the following training
tools for individual and family emergency preparedness planning: Home Preparedness Survey,
Emergency Preparedness Checklist, Emergency Preparedness Begins at Home brochure, Home
Preparedness Slideshow, and training evaluation instruments. For more information about the
Cambridge Advanced Practice Center for Emergency Preparedness, please visit:
http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/services/emergency-preparedness/overview.php
The Cambridge Advanced Practice Center for Emergency Preparedness has also worked in
collaboration with area schools of public health to develop the following training tools:
Preparing for an Emergency – video
Emergency preparedness begins at home -- it begins with you and me. This video outlines simple steps
that each of us should take to prepare for a range of emergencies, from staying in our home to
evacuating. Developed by Boston University School of Public Health graduate students Esmirna
Damaso, Rachel Gaddes, and Jennifer Tsoi and advisor Robert Schadt.
You Don't Have to Prepare Alone – radio public service announcement
Planning for an emergency may be challenging for some, including senior citizens. This radio
announcement encourages seniors and others to develop a plan with a neighbor or friend. Developed by
Andrew Riesenberg, graduate student, Harvard School of Public Health.
These materials were developed with support from Cooperative Agreement Number U50/CCU302718 from CDC to NACCHO.
The contents are solely the responsibility of the Cambridge Public Health Department Advance Practice Center for Emergency
Preparedness and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC or NACCHO.
Preparing for an Emergency
Guide for Presenters
SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE for EVENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[DATE]
Contact: [Name]
[Phone number]
Emergency Preparedness Begins at Home:
What can you do to protect yourself and your love ones?
[Second sentence of this paragraph can be removed or substituted to reflect more on the event.]
A new video, Preparing for an Emergency, will be debuting tomorrow, [DATE], at [EVENT
NAME and LOCATION, TIME]. The [CITY OR TOWN NAME] Health Department will be holding a
community forum to increase public knowledge about individual and home preparedness. Representatives
from the [CITY OR TOWN NAME] health department will show the video and give a presentation on
how to prepare for a range of emergencies. Contrary to popular belief, emergency preparedness is easy to
do and it takes little time to do. Audience will see that emergency preparedness can be a fun family
activity as well as a quick individual exercise.
Emergency preparedness ensures a coordinated, timely, and effective response in the event of any
emergency. Local and state officials are already prepared to help. In addition to this network of aid, it is
important for individuals and their families to be prepared for a range of emergencies. An individual’s
emergency preparedness will allow sustenance until help arrives, efficiency for those providing help, and
sustenance after help leaves. According to the Columbia University Annual Preparedness Survey
(September 2006), 66% of Americans feel unprepared for an emergency. This same survey shows 92%
of Americans will not evacuate their homes due to the needs of a family member. Being prepared for a
range of emergencies can help everyone stay safe at home or get to safety in a timely matter.
[Use this last section or tailor with more community information or upcoming trainings.]
Health officials in [CITY OR TOWN NAME] are actively doing public education and outreach
on home preparedness year round. Residents with questions about home preparedness can call the health
department at [PHONE NUMBER] for more information.
More trainings on emergency preparedness will be available at the follow locations and times:
[List upcoming trainings, location and times]
Preparing for an Emergency was developed by students from the Boston University School of Public
Health and the Cambridge Advanced Practice Center for Emergency Preparedness.
Preparing for an Emergency
Guide for Presenters
SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE for ONLINE VIEWING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[DATE]
Contact: [Name]
[Phone number]
Emergency Preparedness Begins at Home:
What can you do to protect yourself and your love ones?
Debuting tomorrow, [DATE], Preparing for an Emergency will be available online at the [CITY
OR TOWN NAME / ORGANIZATION NAME] website at [insert organization link or web address]. The
video will show individuals and their families how to prepare for a range of emergencies. Contrary to
popular belief, emergency preparedness is easy to do and it takes little time to do. Viewers will learn that
preparing for a range of emergencies can be a fun family activity as well as a quick individual exercise.
Emergency preparedness ensures a coordinated, timely, and effective response in the event of any
emergency. Local and state officials are already prepared to help. In addition to this network of aid, it is
important for individuals and their families to be prepared for a range of emergencies. An individual’s
emergency preparedness will allow sustenance until help arrives, efficiency for those providing help, and
sustenance after help leaves. According to the Columbia University Annual Preparedness Survey
(September 2006), 66% of Americans feel unprepared for an emergency. This same survey shows 92%
of Americans will not evacuate their homes due to the needs of a family member. Being prepared for a
range of emergencies can help people stay safe at home or get to safety in a timely matter.
[Use this last section or tailor to be organization or community specific.]
The [CITY/TOWN NAME] health officials are actively doing public education and outreach on
home preparedness year round. Residents with questions about home preparedness can call the health
department at [PHONE NUMBER] for more information.
Trainings on emergency preparedness will be available at the follow locations and times:
[List upcoming trainings, location and times]
Preparing for an Emergency was developed by students from the Boston University School of Public
Health and the Cambridge Advanced Practice Center for Emergency Preparedness.