5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness

Posted on 06/04/2016

This month’s Emergency Management Department (EMD) bulletin focuses on neighborhood disaster planning and the 5 Steps program, the City of Los Angeles official neighborhood disaster planning tool.
Los Angeles is home to over 4 million residents. There are just under 10,000 police officers and nearly 4,000 firefighters. In the event of a large, catastrophic disaster, it could take up to 72 hours to a week before first responders can provide assistance. When you do the math, chances are you will be your first responder.
Individual and family preparedness plans are important first steps in preparing for disasters. The City of Los Angeles has many resources to help you and your family get prepared.
However when neighbors team up and work together in times of crisis, they can provide the critical support and resources needed until first responders arrive.
EMD created 5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness to help neighborhoods develop a plan on how to prepare, respond to and recover from any disaster – together. This nationally recognized, award winning program is the City of Los Angeles official neighborhood disaster planning tool. Mayor Eric Garcetti’s goal is that every neighborhood in the City adopt and use this program to help them respond to disasters and become resilient enough to bounce back quickly. The program includes providing support for neighbors with disabilities, seniors and others of all ages who may need extra help following a disaster.
Creating a neighborhood plan doesn’t have to be an overwhelming endeavor. EMD has made the process very simple. In 5 easy steps you:

• Define your area – identify a manageable area you can organize with ease.
• Recruit leaders – develop a team of leaders who can build the plan and carry it out when the time comes.
• Scout your area – assess what resources you have, and identify hazards, threats and risks.
• Build your team – find out who lives in your area, how they can help, and who may need extra help.
• Plan your approach – create a plan outlining what your neighborhood will do before, during and after a disaster.

Get started by visiting 5steps.la. Download the easy toolkit which is available in English, Spanish, Korean and Chinese. There you will find a sample plan, templates, training videos and other resources to create a plan that is specific to your neighborhood’s needs. When your plan is finished, contact us on any of our social media sites and let us know so we can recognize your efforts with the Mayor’s office and though social media.
Additional Resources:
5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness http://5steps.la/
ReadyLA http://readyla.org/
PrepareLA Now http://preparelanow.org/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/readyla
Twitter http://twitter.com/readyla
“As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities.”