Disaster Preparedness
Ready for Anything. With extreme weather events becoming more and more common, it is imperative that we prepare ourselves for them. Collective Resilience takes a community-centered and equity approach to disaster preparedness. Resilience hubs can be set up as one-stop-shops for essential services and supplies before, during and after emergencies, from fires to earthquakes.
General Resources
CERT Classes
Resilience Hubs staff and committee members at resilience hubs are encouraged to take advantage of the free CERT classes offered by many cities.
Suggested Emergency Supplies at Resilience Hubs
Our list of suggested emergency supplies at your resilience hub is adopted from the City of Berkeley’s Community Resilience Center list.
Mutual Aid Resources
Want to start a mutual aid progam at your resilience hub? You can find resources here.
Resources from Climate CREW
Check out the plethora of brochures from our partners at Climate CREW, from winter storms to tornados, which are also available in Spanish.
Resilience Hubs Roles and Resources During Emergencies
Extreme Heat
The Bay Area will be facing an increased number of extreme heat days as a result of climate change.
According to the Association for Bay Area Governments, “by the end of the century, most of the region will average six heat waves a year, with the average longest heat wave lasting ten days. Extreme heat events will also extend seasonally into spring and fall.”
- Become an official Cooling Center: Many cities are now listing specific places with air conditioning as locations where individuals can go during extreme heat days. Resilience hubs can serve this function as well. Click here for a list of Alameda County’s current Cooling Centers.
- Provide extra fans for community members: Resilience hubs could support vulnerable communities in staying cool in their homes by providing fans and other cooling devices.
- Communicate to community members during Extreme Heat Days: Use your website, listserv or other communication channels to communicate to community members about resources.
Resources
- Red Cross: Preparing for Extreme Heat
- Ready.Gov: more resources
- Article: “How Resilience Hubs Can Help Communities Face the heat and the Climate Emergency” (“LAist”)
Wild Fires
“Wildfires and climate change are locked in a vicious circle: Fires worsen climate change, and climate change worsens fires.” – CA Matters
Resilience Hubs Could…
- Become a Lifeline during Power Shutoffs: Resilience hubs with solar and battery backup could serve as charging stations, to store lifesaving medicines and to provide food and water when communities have lost power.
- Help Residents Get Prepared: Resilience hubs could provide workshops for residents to learn about how to prepare for wildfires, from evacuation routes to supplies to home hardening.
- Serve as an Evaluation Center: Consider adding cots and other supplies to set your hub up to serve as a temporary evacuation center.
Resources
Drought
California has been experiencing increasingly dry conditions since 1895, with the last two decades being the driest in a thousand years. The state’s hydroclimate is volatile, with periods of multi-year droughts interspersed with wet years. However, the Climate Crisis is expected to make the state’s dry years much drier.
Resilience Hubs Could…
- Be developed as demonstrations for drought-tolerant landscaping and infrastructure, from native plants gardens to water-efficient plumbing.
- Install rain water catchment systems for water storage
- Help to connect farmers to drought resources and innovate technologies at rural hubs
Resources
Atmospheric Rivers
Atmospheric rivers are long, concentrated bands of moisture that transport water from subtropical regions to polar regions. The Climate Crisis is making these them even more intense, more frequent and more challenging to manage.
Resilience Hubs Could…
- Be set up as emergency shelters and warming centers for unhoused communities and other vulnerable populations
- Take in donations of umbrellas, tarps, rain gear, flashlights and other supplies that could then be distributed to unhoused and other vulnerable populations
- Serve as FEMA’s emergency response center during and after the atmospheric river
Resources
- NOAA: About atmospheric rivers
- CA Department of Water Resources: Flood Management
- Article: “Unraveling the Mysteries of Consecutive Atmospheric River Events” by Julie Bobyock
Earthquakes
Earthquake scientists estimate that there is a 72% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake in the Bay Area in the near future. Communities can prepare for earthquakes together in similar ways that we prepare for climate disasters.
Resilience Hubs Could…
- Be retrofit for earthquakes
- Host disaster preparedness workshops, including CERT training sessions and regular drills
- Work with vulnerable residents to create an emergency plan and hand out free supplies for their disaster kits
Resources
- Ready.gov: Prepare for an Earthquake
- Ready.gov: Build an Earthquake Kit
- Earthquake Warning App
- Red Cross: earthquake information
Photo Credit: Paul Sakuma / AP file