Developing Local Disaster Preparedness
Earthquakes, Floods, Power Outages, Severe Weather and Tornadoes –
Is Your Neighborhood Ready?
Map Your Neighborhood brings your neighborhood together during a crisis.
Prepared neighborhoods are more effective in their disaster response and have an increased
capacity to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours after a disaster.
Premise:
In a disaster, the neighbors living around you are your most immediate source of help.
Traditional 9-1-1 responders (police, fire, medical, and utility) are quickly overwhelmed by
demand. Knowing what to do in the first hour (THE GOLDEN HOUR) of a disaster response
may save a life, reduce the severity of injuries, and reduce the amount of damage that you,
your family and neighbors sustain.
The Major Goal of Map Your Neighborhood:
Prepare neighborhoods (generally 15-20 homes in urban areas, 6-7 in rural areas) to be selfreliant during the first hours of a disaster response, when traditional 9-1-1 responders are
overwhelmed by demand. Be prepared to assist your family and your neighbors.
Map Your Neighborhood (MYN, pronounced “mine”) was developed by Dr. LuAn Johnson,
first in California and then in Seattle, WA. The program was implemented state-wide by the
State of Washington’s Emergency Management Division (WA-EMD). This award-winning
program has proven its effectiveness during the February 28, 2001 Nisqually (Seattle)
Earthquake. MYN has been adopted by many states, counties and cities and the program is
being encouraged by the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program. The Carbondale,
Illinois has enthusiastically implemented MYN. The Missouri Seismic Safety Commission
(MSSC) has endorsed MYN for Missouri and has been given permission by WA-EMD to print
the copy-written materials and conduct training. Other Central US states or local government
offices are welcome to get information from both WA-EMD and MSSC.
Objectives accomplished during a 90-minute neighborhood meeting:
1. Learn the Nine Steps to take immediately following a disaster to secure your home (steps 1
through 6) and to assist your neighbors (steps 7 through 9).
2. Identify the skills and equipment each neighbor has that are useful in an effective disaster
response. Every one in the neighborhood has a role.
3. Create a Neighborhood Map showing: the locations of exterior natural gas meters and
propane tanks (about 67% of house fires following disasters are caused by leaking gas); and,
the locations of each neighbor who may need extra help in a disaster, such as the elderly,
persons with disabilities, or children who are home alone during certain times of the day.
4. Pick locations for a Neighborhood Gathering Site and Neighborhood Care Center.
The NINE STEPS (your response to a disaster written in your Neighbors’ Handout):
1. Take care of your loved ones.
7. Go to the Neighborhood Gathering Site.
2. Protect your head, feet and hands.
8. Form teams to: listen to the radio for
3. Check your home’s natural gas or propane.
alerts; check on elderly, disabled and
4. Shut off water at your home’s main, if
children; check for gas and propane leaks;
appropriate.
and, check homes with HELP cards and
5. Place the HELP or OK sign on your front
those with no cards posted.
door or window.
9. Return to Neighborhood Gathering Site to
6. Put your fire extinguisher on the sidewalk.
share what has been done.
How to Get Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) Started in Your Neighborhood:
1. A local organization or faith-based group advertises a local MYN Hosts’ Orientation.
Interested persons, who will later “host” their own Neighbors’ Meetings, attend the Host
Orientation and receive their materials. Contact Steve Besemer or Greg Hempen (info below).
2. The local Host guides neighbors through the 90-minute preparedness meeting using the
MYN Discussion Guide and/or DVD. The neighbors make decisions to prepare for a disaster.
A Neighbors’ Handout, the response plan, is kept by every participating domicile.
3. At the conclusion of the Neighbors’ Meeting, the local Host sends contact information to
Steve Besemer, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. This allows the state to
know the distribution of program preparedness and to send out annual reminders.
4. Annually, the neighbors meet briefly to update information, and may engage in a short
exercise. The Host will be prompted for annual refreshers from their contact data.
Program Synopsis: Train the local “Host,” who guides neighbors through the program with
useful supporting materials. The neighbors develop and document their own plan.
 Learn the “9 Steps to Take Immediately Following a Disaster” to secure your home and to
protect your neighborhood. It is hard to think clearly following disaster and these steps will
help you to quickly and safely take actions that can minimize damage and protect lives.
Neighbors’ data is documented in the Neighbors’ Handout for later reference.
 Identify the Skills and Equipment each neighbor has that would be useful in an effective
disaster response. Knowing which neighbors have supplies and skills helps your disaster
response be timely, and allows everyone to contribute meaningfully to the response.
 Create a Neighborhood Map identifying the locations of the Gathering Site and Care Center,
and of exterior natural-gas valves and propane tanks for quick response, if needed.
 Create a Contact List that helps identify those with specific needs such as elderly, disabled,
or children who may be home alone during certain hours of the day.
 Work together as teams after a disaster to evaluate your neighborhood and take the necessary
actions. Coordinate and communicate team actions.
Individuals, local faith-based or service organizations, or community or county offices may
contact Steve Besemer (steve.besemer@sema.dps.mo.gov, 573-526-9232) or
Greg Hempen (greg_hempen@urscorp.com, 314.743.4136) to obtain MYN information.
website- mssc.missouri.edu/map.shtml
Remember: In a disaster, your most immediate source of help
are the neighbors living around you.