Success StoryIn the Face of Disaster



In the Face of Disaster

Author: Kelly Alsip

Planning Unit: McCracken County CES

Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness - FCS

Plan of Work: McCracken County Residents and Youth Acquiring Life Skills

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

 

Success Story 

 

Kentuckians have experienced firsthand how natural disasters can occur at 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. Cooperative Extension is often involved in disaster preparation and response at the local level. 

 

As a result of local needs, Kelly Alsip the County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, and Gracie Moffit Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, in McCracken County Hosted a workshop over two weeks one class a week at the McCracken County Extension. This event focused on protecting your family and home, food and water safety. Several community partners were engaged in this event, including Kathy Hunt, former Purchase District Health Department Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, and Rob Estes local EMS Director. Participants were recruited through Facebook posts, Extension websites, Flyers at local businesses, scrolling sign-out in front of the McCracken County Extension, newsletters, and event calendars. Twenty-three community members participated in the informational session.

 

Following the event, participants completed evaluations. ___23__ of participants gained a better understanding of steps they could take in preparation of natural disasters. __23___ of participants increased their understanding of how to find reliable resources on disaster preparation and/or response. Further, __23___ of participants can better identify what items they should include in a disaster kit. Most importantly, _21__ of participants reported they intended to assemble a disaster kit that fits their needs and _19___ of participants shared they intended to create a disaster response plan. 

 

Participants specifically shared the most significant things they learned from the event were……. 

Be Prepared

Improve evacuation plan 

Volunteer for EOC Team

 

Bug out Bag

What and how to pack and get ready

Prepare for disaster with kit

Work on Communication alternatives

Need paper copy or list in cell phone

Keep supplies, medicine, etc. ready to go

Great information on important issues

Thank you, Kelly and Kathy, for being prepared!

The binder full of information

Already have emergency kits

The resources available at the extension office

Quick leave bag

Awareness in general

Solar Charger for cell phone

Poison Symbol

Extra masks in "Go Bag"Water Shelf Life

Everything discussed has been extremely helpful

 

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