Resources for Disaster and Crisis Management

Put your family and community response plans in place now to ensure the safety and security of your loved ones, your home, and your community in case of a natural disaster or other emergency scenario. Contact local, regional, state, county, and federal emergency responders in your area, including fire service, law enforcement, medical examiners, and mental health crisis teams to find out what is available and in place in your community. Explore the following Web sites, compiled by Vali J. Hawkins Mitchell ’93, Ph.D. in Health Services, a certified traumatologist and licensed counselor, to help you start preparing.

American Red Cross
From CPR, first aid, and automated external defibrillator (AED) training to injury prevention courses, bloodborne pathogens training, and community disaster education, you can team up with a trusted name in health and safety training: the American Red Cross. The Red Cross offers complete, flexible programs that help you, your family, and your community stay prepared for virtually any life-threatening situation. Build the program that works best for you. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for more information.

The Community Emergency Response Team Program 
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates you about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact your area and trains you in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The Community Relations Service
The Community Relations Service, the "peacemaker" arm of the U.S. Department of Justice for community conflicts and tensions, provides expert guidance and assistance to community officials and civic leaders to help resolve and prevent racial and ethnic conflict, violence, and civil disorders in times of emergency.

The National Organization for Victim Assistance
The National Organization for Victim Assistance can send a crisis response team to any community in crisis to help local decisionmakers, train local caregivers, and lead one or more group crisis intervention sessions.

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NOVAD) coordinates planning efforts by volunteer organizations responding to disaster. NOVAD provides training, leadership development, published resources, case studies, and performance critiques to participating groups.

Comments

[Arleen Anderson]

The fires of Southern California are a grim reminder that we must all be ready for anything and everything. We never imagine disaster will stike home. Doesn't that always happen to someone else?

It's uncomfortable to think about disaster striking our lives. It's a bother to take the action to minimize what impact a disaster would have on us. Yet, we don't drive around without car insurance.

Thank you, I will take the time to be prepared.

Mahalo,
Arleen Anderson
Kaneohe, Hawaii