Disaster Preparedness in Breathitt CountyPlan of Work

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Breathitt County CES

Title:
Disaster Preparedness in Breathitt County
MAP:
6. Enhance Life Skills and Build Consumer Awareness
Agents Involved:
Reed Graham, Ryan Spicer, Kayla Watts
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Civic Engagement
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Financial Education - General
Situation:

As of June, 2020 the COVID-19 virus had profoundly affected the entire state of Kentucky, including rural Breathitt County. Citizens were both physically/mentally and financially strained.  Reviewing data from outlets such as Kentucky by the Numbers, one can see that most Breathitt County citizens fall into the "most vulnerable" category as outlined by the CDC.  Because of the high aging and unhealthy population, and because of the nature of COVID-19 and nature of other disasters, many Breathitt County citizens were/are not prepared for such events.  Promoting basic life skills and positive personal finance skills prepares Kentuckians for any future life/economic shifts associated with disasters. 

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Outcome:  Increase knowledge and skills related to farm health and safety practices

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of

understanding in the area: farm safety, equipment demonstrations, disaster preparation

Method:  Retroactive pre-post 

Timeline:  Following educational workshops and agricultural events


Outcome:  Increased awareness of sound financial behaviors

Indicator(s):  Number of individuals who implemented at least one 

strategy to reduce expenses or manage money

Number of individuals who made a sound financial decision 

(regarding credit, budgeting, savings, and/or debt)

Method:  Retroactive pre-post

Timeline: Following financial education workshops


Outcome:  Increase knowledge and skills related to preparing/following disaster plans for community/home environments

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting increased levels of

understanding in the area: disaster preparedness plans/environmental changes

Method:  Retroactive pre-post 

Timeline:  Following educational workshops


Outcome:  Increased awareness of health and civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness

Indicator(s):  Number of individuals who increased knowledge of and participated in civic engagement opportunities related to disaster preparedness

Method:  Retroactive pre-post

Timeline: Following educational workshops

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens

Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: Publications, safety curriculum

Inputs: ANR Agent, Specialists, Community Partners/Councils

Date: Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 of fiscal year


Audience:  Adults, young adults, and teens

Project or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, 

 Date: On-Going/Monthly


Audience:  Adults

Project or Activity: Home and Community Environment Disaster Preparedness Series

Content or Curriculum: CDC Materials, Housing and Environment Publications

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, 

 Date: Fall, 2022


Audience:  Youth

Project or Activity:  Science/Environmental Workshops

Content or Curriculum: 4-H conservation materials, 4-H health curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent, curriculum publications and resources, 

 Date: On-Going/Monthly




Success Stories

Flood Relief

Author: Ryan Spicer

Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery

Abraham H. Maslow introduced the concept of a hierarchy of needs in 1943. The hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill their basic physiological and safety & security needs, before proceeding through other rising levels of need.  On July 28 and 29, 2022, in Breathitt County Kentucky, several residents suffered physiological losses from a historical flood.  Residents waded flood waters and struggled through feet-deep mud to be rescued. Many were left without a home an

Full Story

Farm and Home Safety Event 2022

Author: Reed Graham

Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness

Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Farm safety is often overlooked even though it is very important.  For the first time since 2019, an in-person Farm & Home Safety Field Day was held! The event is hosted by: Breathitt County Extension, Wolfe County Extension, Breathitt County Farm Bureau, and Wolfe County Farm Bureau. This is the third time the event has been multi-county (and the second time in person). This year's event was held in Wolfe County at the

Full Story

Farmer Flood Relief

Author: Reed Graham

Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery

Farmer Flood Relief

Situation and Target AudienceBreathitt County is located in eastern Kentucky where 28% of the population (13,718 people in 5,506 households) live in poverty (per capita income is $20,654 according to the 2021 US Census estimate).  Sixty percent of the 160 farms are family farms.  Thirty-six percent of the farms are under 50 acres.    Cattle and calves provide the majority of agriculture income.   (2017 Census of Agriculture)On July 27th2022, eastern Kentucky was flo

Full Story

FEMA Training Tutorial

Author: Kayla Watts

Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery

According to FEMA.gov there have been at least 12 major disasters declared in the state of Kentucky since the beginning of 2020.  Often, County Extension Agents are called upon during such disasters and recovery to help with agriculture, food safety, family, and youth needs.   Responding to community needs during a disaster takes coordination and partnerships to be effective.  It is important for county agents to know and understand their roles/priorities, as well as the role of g

Full Story

Improving Hay Quality for the producer and consumer in Eastern Kentucky

Author: Reed Graham

Major Program: Forages

Producing high quality hay has been at the forethought of many hay and livestock producers in Eastern Kentucky. Over recent years a large percentage of our primary hay ground has been affected and/or damaged by flood waters. Experiencing this has led to specialist, agents, area equipment representatives and producers to join together to establish a program to educate area producers on ways the quality of the hay can be improved through the use of proper techniques and equipment. On June 1, &nbsp

Full Story
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