Personal Preparedness Planning as a Health Intervention

Personal and family preparedness is a critical element of any community or organization's emergency planning. Despite various motivators, such as actual events and public information, the American public remains unprepared for emergencies and disasters. In spring 2006, the Cambridge Public Health Department Advanced Practice Center for Emergency Preparedness utilized a traditional community health fair approach to communicate the concepts of personal preparedness and to promote behavior change. Tested with municipal workers, at community meetings, in flu clinics, in healthcare settings, and with Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, this model incorporates use of a personal preparedness survey, example emergency kits, and intervention messages. Health fair participants are eligible to win a home emergency kit.

This model addresses potential barriers that may exist across a population, including economic, linguistic, social, physical, and behavioral challenges. The messaging used in this model is based on universal accessibility design.

Current events have connected this preparedness initiative to education about pandemic influenza; however, planning elements of the initiative are from an all-hazards perspective. These elements include: 1) food and water supply; 2) first aid and essential tools; 3) evacuation kit; 4) family communication planning; and 5) periodic review of plans.

This session will guide participants through the development of the initiative; use and applicability of intervention strategies; message development and communication accessibility; and personal preparedness planning as a health intervention.