Extension
It Starts With Us
Disaster Readiness 2025
Disaster and Emergency Response
Joanna Coles, Janet Turley, Julie Brown, Kristin Hildabrand, Kristi Shive
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Civic Engagement
Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
Community Strategic Planning
Occurrences of weather-related and other disaster and emergency situations can have a devastating impact on Kentucky communities. Our communities need educational programming to enhance community readiness and recovery from impending disasters. Preparation, education, and collaboration will ensure that Extension Agents and Administrators are prepared to respond to local, reginal, and state emergencies, with state and local partners, under the direction of the local emergency management director and plan.
- Increase collaborative working relationships between KY Extension and emergency management partner agencies.
- Minimize losses to agricultural operations, individuals, families, and communities as a result of natural disaster, pandemic, or other emergencies.
- Expedited recovery of agricultural operations, individuals, families, businesses, and communities after a natural disaster, pandemic, or emergency.
- Effective planning, assessment, and reporting of natural disasters/emergencies.
- Increase preparedness of agricultural operations, individuals, families, businesses, and communities for natural disaster, pandemic, or other emergencies.
- Increase knowledge and awareness of participants regarding emergency preparedness.
- Increase knowledge and awareness of Extension Agents of appropriate roles and mandates related to disaster reporting.
- Increase awareness of the role of Kentucky Extension by counties/cities and other partner agencies in dealing with natural disasters and emergency preparedness.
Initial Outcome: Number of people attending Disaster Preparedness programs
Indicator: Sign-in sheets
Method: Participation at events
Timeline: As needed
Intermediate Outcome: Number of people preparing Disaster Kits for homes and businesses and implementing other best practices.
Indicator: Survey
Method: Social Media, videos
Timeline: TBD
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Local Officials
Project or Activity: Networking
Content or Curriculum: County Emergency Management Plan
Inputs: Local Extension Facilities, Educational materials developed and provided by specialists/faculty and others, Extension Disaster and Emergency Response webpage (in development)
Date: June - July 2025
Audience: Extension District Boards
Project or Activity: Discuss and Pre-plan how local Extension Facilities can be utilized during a Disaster/Emergency
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Local Extension Facilities, Educational materials developed and provided by specialists/faculty and others, Extension Disaster and Emergency Response webpage (in development)
Date: August 2024
Audience: Extension District Boards
Project or Activity: Community-based trainings on emergency preparedness and recovery
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension of Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) resources
Inputs: Local Extension Facilities, Educational materials developed and provided by specialist/faculty and others, Extension Disaster and Emergency Response webpage (in development)
Date: TBA
Audience: Agents and Staff
Project or Activity: Ensure office and agents personal computer data are safeguarded by utilizing cloud servers (ex. OneDrive)
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Local Extension Facilities, Educational materials developed and provided by specialists/faculty and others, Extension Disaster and Emergency Response webpage (in development)
Date: TBA
Audience: Agents and Staff
Project or Activity: Understand Local Emergency Management Plan and Extension's expected response during an emergency situation.
Content or Curriculum: ESF11 Agriculture
Inputs: Local Extension Facilities, Educational materials developed and provided by specialist/faculty and others, Extension Disaster and Emergency Response webpage (in development)
Date: TBA
Audience: Agents and Staff
Project or Activity: Utilize public service announcements, and news releases throughout the year to emphasize preparation for Severe Storms, Winter Weather, Floods, Fire, Drought, Extreme Temperatures, and other pertinent subjects.
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension or Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) resources
Inputs: Local Extension Facilities, Educational materials developed and provided by specialist/faculty and others, Extension Disaster and Emergency Response webpage (in development)
Date: TBA
