Summary
When Oklahoma disasters get you down, you'll want plenty of friends in low places! A great place to continue building your family's resiliency is your neighborhood. Do you know your neighbors? In an area-wide emergency, they're likely the people you'll interact with first.
This 10-post toolkit was released as part of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management's yearlong 12 Ways to Prepare social media campaign in 2024. This campaign aimed to meet residents where they were at with informational action items, encouraging them to be #ReadyOK while equipping them to that end. July's focus was Plan with Neighbors, and the campaign touched on ways to get to know neighbors, methods to move into preparedness networking and reminders that helping your neighbor is the Oklahoma Way.
1. Review
CHECK ✅ In June, we learned how to #SafeguardDocuments, and July brings a new way to prepare: #PlanWithNeighbors!
This is one of our FAVORITE ways to prepare because our Oklahoma neighbors are real treasures! 🏆 If you never meet them, you have no idea the community and support you could be missing out on. Take some time this month to extend some kindness so you can plan for emergencies with your neighbors 🤠👍
#YouCan #ResolveToBeReady #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK #OklahomaWay
2. Intro
Reality check - do you know your neighbors? If not, consider that they may be the first people you run into after a disaster or the first who come to your aid 👀
Get to know your neighbors before disaster strikes and talk about how you might support one another!
#YouCan #PlanWithNeighbors #ReadyOK #12WaystoPrepare #OklahomaWay
3. Get to Know Your Neighbors
The 🥇first🥇 step to #PlanWithNeighbors is to get to know your neighbors!
🍪 Have a famous treat recipe? Bake some and take them over to introduce yourself. Whether someone just moved in or you’ve been avoiding eye contact for years, it’s NEVER too late to extend the first welcome.
🍔 Host a potluck for your new friends or your block, and make an effort to promote a welcoming atmosphere and warm connections. Plan a few games to break the ice and chat about what kind of community your neighbors are looking for.
🔨 Whether you’re a handy-man or just good at following directions, if you have the time and heart you can offer to help your neighbors with tasks they may not be able to get to, especially your sick, disabled or elderly friends or single parents. This demonstrates care and promotes trust, further building the relationship.
#YouCan #PlanWithNeighbors #ReadyOK #12WaystoPrepare #OklahomaWay
4. Sometimes All You Need...
Sometimes all you need to meet your neighbors is a “hidey-ho!” 👋
We know it can be nerve-wracking to put yourself out there, but the benefits a neighborhood can reap from being well-connected are endless! Strike up a kind conversation with the humans across the street today - you just may find a fast friend and potential preparedness support during disaster 😉👍
#YouCan #PlanWithNeighbors #ReadyOK #12WaystoPrepare #OklahomaWay
5. Exchange Contact Information
Exchanging contact information is a key step all neighbors should be involved in 📲 This creates a line of open communication every party can benefit from.
Someone’s music too loud? Politely ask them to turn it down. They probably didn’t realize. Want to check in on your neighbors’ health and safety before or after a big storm blows through? A quick text can keep you filled in on any needs.
Get to know your neighbors now so you can talk about how you might prepare for and support one another in the event of a disaster! They’re your closest support system, after all.
#YouCan #PlanWithNeighbors #ReadyOK #12WaystoPrepare #OklahomaWay
6. The Golden Rule
If your neighborhood doesn’t look like Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, you can be the first to step out and be the type of neighbor you’d want to have 👏🫵
“All we’re ever asked to do in this life is to treat our neighbor- especially our neighbor who is in need - exactly as we would hope to be treated ourselves. That’s our ultimate responsibility.” - Mister Rogers
Building a network of support in your neighborhood is crucial before disaster strikes. Get to know your neighbors now and start talking about how you might support one another in the event of a disaster.
#YouCan #PlanWithNeighbors #ReadyOK #12WaystoPrepare #OklahomaWay
7. Plan a Preparedness Meeting
Now that you’ve met your neighbors and made some friends, find a few who’d like to head up a preparedness meeting with you for your circle.
✅ Keep your reach manageable. Your invite list might be your adjacent neighbors, your street or your block.
✅ Pass out a flier with the meeting details and links to preparedness resources such as oem.ok.gov and ready.gov.
✅ Have a sign-in sheet where neighbors can leave as much contact information as they're comfortable sharing.
✅ Start by discussing general preparedness topics and answering questions using resources like oem.ok.gov and ready.gov before moving into preparedness networking, which would include identifying neighbors who are willing to use their equipment or specialized skills such as chainsaws, plumbing, communications, or first aid to help before, during and after a disaster.
#YouCan #PlanWithNeighbors #ReadyOK #12WaystoPrepare #OklahomaWay
8. Preparedness Partners!
We 😍 love 😍 beautiful days in the neighborhood, but we also know our Oklahoma skies can quickly turn not-so-beautiful. Network with your neighbors now to prepare for the worst.
✅ Share preparedness tips and resources like oem.ok.gov and ready.gov
✅ Talk about how you might support one another in a disaster. For example, does anyone have special needs or mobility issues?
✅ Exchange contact information to facilitate open communication
#YouCan #PlanWithNeighbors #ReadyOK #12WaystoPrepare #OklahomaWay
9. Network of Assistance
Your neighbors just may be your closest support system in an emergency. Get connected and talk about how you might support one another in the event of a disaster.
➕ Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how those in your neighborhood network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Exchange contact information for open communication.
#YouCan #PlanWithNeighbors #ReadyOK #12WaystoPrepare #OklahomaWay
10. Prioritize Individual Preparedness
⚠️ Remember ⚠️ You can’t help others if you can’t help yourself. It’s a great idea to #PlanWithNeighbors, but it’s not supposed to overshadow or replace your or their individual preparedness.
Before your neighborhood assembles a plan, be sure everyone has their own plan in place. Visit oem.ok.gov for 12 Ways to Prepare.
Lastly, we recommend you revisit the plan every year to account for updates and include new neighbors.
#YouCan #PlanWithNeighbors #ReadyOK #12WaystoPrepare #OklahomaWay
