LEVEL III – PREPARE YOUR COMMUNITY

Building Resilient Communities

Natural disasters, severe weather, power outages, floods, wildfires, and other emergencies can overwhelm local resources. Police, fire departments, EMS personnel, and utility workers may require hours or even days to reach every neighborhood.

History has repeatedly shown that the people most likely to help you during the first hours of a crisis are not government agencies—they are your neighbors.

The purpose of  this Level III community focus is to help NOWScouts become leaders, organizers, and force multipliers within their communities.

The goal is not to replace professional responders.

The goal is to help communities remain calm, connected, informed, and capable until professional assistance arrives.

STEP 1: KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS

Strong communities are built before emergencies occur are better prepared to respond to disaster and emergency.

Every NOWScout should strive to know the people living nearby.

Objectives

□ Learn the names of neighbors on your street.

□ Exchange contact information.

□ Introduce your family.

□ Participate in neighborhood events.

□ Identify skills and resources within the community.

Community Skills Inventory

Consider learning which neighbors possess useful skills:

□ Medical professionals

□ Electricians

□ Plumbers

□ Mechanics

□ Construction workers

□ Amateur radio operators

□ Veterans

□ Search and rescue personnel

□ Teachers

□ Community leaders

During emergencies, these individuals often become valuable resources for the entire neighborhood.

STEP 2: ESTABLISH AN EMERGENCY CONTACT NETWORK

Communication failures are common during disasters.

Cell towers may be overloaded or damaged.

Every neighborhood should establish multiple methods of communication.

Objectives

□ Create a neighborhood contact list.

□ Establish a phone tree.

□ Create a text message group.

□ Establish alternative communication methods.

□ Identify out-of-area emergency contacts.

Recommended Communications

Primary:
□ Cell phone: Call / Text

Alternate:
□ FRS/GMRS radio

Contingency:
□ Face-to-face check-ins

Emergency:
□ Pre-established signals

Communities that can communicate effectively recover faster and make better decisions during crises.

STEP 3: OBTAIN COMMUNITY EMERGENCY TRAINING

Training creates confidence and capability.

Every NOWScout should seek opportunities to learn emergency response skills.

Recommended Training

□ First Aid

□ CPR/AED

□ Stop the Bleed

□ Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

□ Basic Search and Rescue

□ Fire Extinguisher Training

□ Weather Awareness Training

□ Emergency Communications Training

The purpose of training is not to create experts.

The purpose is to create capable citizens who can safely assist others when needed.

STEP 4: IDENTIFY A COMMUNITY RALLY POINT

Every neighborhood should have a pre-designated location where residents can gather following an emergency.

Rally Point Considerations

The location should be:

□ Easily accessible

□ Safe from flooding

□ Away from hazards

□ Large enough for community members

□ Recognizable to all residents

Examples include:

□ Community centers

□ Churches

□ Parks

□ School grounds

□ Large open fields

Rally Point Functions

The rally point can serve as:

□ Accountability location

□ Information sharing center

□ Aid distribution site

□ Volunteer coordination area

□ Family reunification point

Everyone should know where it is before an emergency occurs.

STEP 5: SUPPORT VULNERABLE RESIDENTS

Communities are strongest when they protect their most vulnerable members.

Every NOWScout should identify individuals who may require additional assistance during emergencies.

Individuals Who May Need Support

□ Elderly residents

□ Individuals with disabilities

□ Families with small children

□ Individuals with medical conditions

□ Residents living alone

□ Non-English speakers

Support Actions

□ Check on residents after severe weather.

□ Assist with evacuation preparations.

□ Help obtain food and water.

□ Assist with debris removal.

□ Share information and updates.

□ Help connect residents with emergency services.

The objective is not dependency.

The objective is ensuring no member of the community is forgotten during a crisis.

STEP 6: DEVELOP A COMMUNITY RESPONSE PLAN

Simple plans outperform complicated plans during emergencies.

Every neighborhood should discuss:

What If Questions

What if:

□ Power is out for a week?

□ Roads are blocked?

□ Water service fails?

□ Communications are interrupted?

□ Severe weather damages homes?

□ Evacuation becomes necessary?

Community Resources

Identify:

□ Available generators

□ Medical equipment

□ Water sources

□ Heavy equipment

□ Chainsaws

□ Fuel supplies

□ Transportation assets

□ Community shelters

Knowing available resources before a disaster dramatically improves response effectiveness.

STEP 7: CONDUCT COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS EVENTS

Preparedness is a skill that must be practiced.

NOWScouts should encourage simple community activities such as:

□ Emergency preparedness meetings

□ First aid demonstrations

□ CPR training

□ Disaster drills

□ Neighborhood cleanup days

□ Fire prevention education

□ Family emergency planning workshops

These activities strengthen relationships while improving readiness.

THE NOWSCOUT COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

A NOWScout understands that preparedness extends beyond personal survival.

A prepared home helps a family.

A prepared family helps a neighborhood.

A prepared neighborhood helps a community.

When emergencies occur, NOWScouts seek to be calm, capable, and helpful.

They lead through service, strengthen community resilience, and assist others without seeking recognition.

The measure of preparedness is not how much equipment we own.

The measure of preparedness is how effectively we can help one another when adversity arrives.

Preparation Is The Key.