Summary
Oklahoma is renowned for having neighbors who step up to help when disasters strike - the #OklahomaWay. But you don't HAVE to wait for an emergency to get involved in your community. In fact, it's better to build that preparedness and those relationships beforehand!
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 encourage residents to be #ReadyOK while equipping them to that end with practical tools and tips. November's focus was Get Involved in Community, and the campaign touched on easy ways residents can build a support network and learn some new preparedness skills within their community.
1. Review
CHECK ✅ In October, we gathered and updated our emergency supplies. In November, we’ll focus on getting involved in community! 🤝
Oklahoma is renowned for residents jumping into action to help out their neighbors after a disaster, but did you know you don't have to wait for an emergency to build a support network? We'll help you get started.
#YouCan #ResolveToBeReady #12WaysToPrepare #GetInvolvedInCommunity #ReadyOK #OklahomaWay
2. Intro
If you’ve ever lived through a life-changing event, you know you didn’t go it alone. Being involved in community is of utmost importance when preparing for emergencies and disasters. It’s how we communicate with one another, take care of one another and help each other rebuild 🤝
Do you have that kind of community? If not, have no fear - we’ll be discussing ways to get involved in your community all this month!
#YouCan #GetInvolvedInCommunity #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK #OklahomaWay
3. Meet Your EM
One of the BEST ways you can start getting involved in your community is by meeting your city or county emergency manager. These fine men and women have a wealth of information on how to best prepare your family for disasters and what community groups and events to take part in that promote preparedness! 📣
Reach out today to get your foot in the door for a better tomorrow! 🥾
#YouCan #GetInvolvedInCommunity #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
4. Local Involvement
This may be what comes to mind when you think of municipal events or meetings, but they’re actually one of the best ways to stay in the know and prepared! 😅👍👍
However your community stays connected, join in! This may also look like following your local government on social media, or signing up for its newsletter to get calendar alerts. Many departments, cities and/or counties host preparedness classes and community events you won’t want to miss! 📆
#YouCan #GetInvolvedInCommunity #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
5. Take a CERT Course
If you haven’t heard of CERT, you’re missing out! Oklahoma’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations ⛑️
This can look different from town to town. Your city or county emergency management may support a full-fledged CERT team, or it may offer the curriculum as a one-off training to residents ✅
Ask your local jurisdiction about CERT training today!
#YouCan #GetInvolvedInCommunity #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
6. Meet Your Neighbors
We spent alllll July meeting and planning with our neighbors. If you missed the boat, you can always hop on later! 🚢 Building relationships with your neighbors returns dividends like you’d never believe, especially in times of disaster.
No matter how long you’ve just given them a nice 👋 “hello” across the street or avoided eye contact like the plague 😳, it’s never too late to strike up a conversation and get to know them AND how you might be able to work together to support one another in the day-to-day and emergencies.
#YouCan #GetInvolvedInCommunity #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
7. Volunteer with VOAD
We partner with a number of Oklahoma Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, and you should too! 💪😤 Many of these groups offer training and pave the way to get your boots on the ground in disaster response and community recovery. The skills you’ll learn will also benefit your family and neighbors in times of need!
Visit okvoad.org to learn more!
BeANeighbor.ok.gov/s/ is another great resource to get involved in your area.
#YouCan #GetInvolvedInCommunity #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
8. Group Up
Another great way to get involved in your community is to join a club or organization 🛼🪴⛑️ It can be hobby-based, your local fire department or its auxiliary, parent-teacher association, homeowners association or neighborhood watch group! Church groups, political groups; the list is endless! Invite your group to take part in preparedness activities together.
If you haven’t heard of OSU Extension’s Oklahoma Home & Community Education groups, they’re worth checking out as well! Join by contacting the county educator in your county: https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/oklahoma-home-and-community-education/
#YouCan #GetInvolvedInCommunity #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
9. Prepare Together
What preparedness activities will you do with your community group of choice? 🤔 There are TOO many options! You could pack emergency kits together, save and split bulk storage food, host a class like CERT or Stop the Bleed, practice emergency drills, test family communication plans, etc.
If you’re looking for something for your group to do, preparedness activities are great for bonding and keeping your people #ReadyOK!
#YouCan #GetInvolvedInCommunity #12WaysToPrepare
10. Keller Said It Best
When you get involved in your community, you can take heart knowing you’ll have a support system when disaster strikes 🫶 Community involvement should never replace individual preparedness, but it’s great to have help when it’s available and lend a helping hand when you can.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller 💚
#YouCan #GetInvolvedInCommunity #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
