Extension
It Starts With Us
Emergency and Disaster Response
Disaster and Emergency Response
B. Sears, A. Sears, Darst, Reid, Hunley
Emergency Disaster Preparedness
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, regional, 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.
- Initiate networking between Extension agents, leaders and local emergency management officials.
Outcome: Number of people attending Disaster Preparedness programs
Indicator: Sign-in sheets
Method: survey
Timeline: as needed
Outcome: Number of people preparing Disaster Kits for homes and businesses and implementing other best practices.
Indicator: Survey
Method: survey
Timeline: as needed
Audience: Local Officials
Activity: Networking
Content or Curriculum: County Emergency Management Plan
Date: TBD
Audience: Extension District Boards
Activity: Discuss and Pre-plan how local Extension Facilities can be utilized during a Disaster / Emergency.
Content or Curriculum:
Date: TBA
Activity: Community-based trainings on emergency preparedness and recovery
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension or Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) resources.
Date: TBA
Audience: Agents and Staff
Activity: Ensure office and agents personal computer data are safeguarded by utilizing cloud servers (eg. OneDrive/ TEAMS)
Content or Curriculum:
Date: TBA
Activity: Understand Local Emergency Management Plan and Extension’s expected response during an emergency situation.
Content or Curriculum:
Date: TBA
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.
Date: TBA
Author: Jessica Hunley
Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness - FCS
Kentuckians have experienced firsthand how natural disasters can occur any time and often with little warning. Disasters take many forms, and we can feel their impacts across most areas of family life. Because there is no “one-size-fits-all” disaster model, planning community outreach can be challenging, and Cooperative Extension is often involved in disaster preparation and response at the local level. As a result of local needs, the Bluegrass Area Extension Agent for Fam
