Community Emergency Planning in NYC - A Toolkit for Community Leaders

1. GET ORGANIZED

OBJECTIVES:

• Set goals and milestones for your planning process.

• Identify how your lead team and the larger network will organize and communicate during emergency and non-emergency times.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

Remember—you are starting this process with a few dedicated community members but will look to build a larger network of partners that can play a role during emergencies.

Mission and Goals:

What are your goals? Think about what you would like to see as the end result of this process. Some examples include:

• Educate your community and get residents individually prepared.

• Disseminate information during times of emergency.

• Focus on the most vulnerable individuals in your community.

• Others goals that are specific to your community’s needs.

Communications:

There are a variety of tools, platforms, and mechanisms to communicate to groups of people. Take some time exploring the different options to figure out what works for your team and network. Examples include:

TO DO:

Take time to develop your mission and strategies for how your lead team will organize and communicate, record your answers in the plan maintenance section of your plan:

• What is the mission of your emergency network? What roles to do you need to be able to fulfill your mission?

• What is the structure? Who will have what responsibilities?

• When and how frequently will you meet? Who will set up meetings?

• How will you communicate with each other and your larger community?

• How will you keep your network engaged throughout the year?

• Connect with NYC Emergency Management by listing your network at nyc.gov/citizencorps. 

SUCCESS STORY: RED HOOK HUB

The Red Hook Hub uses its website and bulletin board year-round. Because it’s used regularly, community leaders and residents know where to find updates and resources during emergencies.

The Hub is a system of physical and digital community bulletin boards that collect and display community information during both crisis and noncrisis conditions. Anyone can post notices in addition to the official content posted by the Hub coordinator partners. See more at: redhookhub.org