Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Learn first aid, join a Community Emergency Response Team in your community, donate to a reputable organization of your choice, and volunteer to respond to disasters and help your fellow Americans. Visit NVOAD.org to learn more.
- Volunteer and receive training to support disaster and preparedness efforts in your community.
- Teach preparedness curriculum in your school. Download everything you need for grades K-12 through our Ready Kids program.
- Promote preparedness online by sharing preparedness tips on your social media account with Ready’s online social media toolkit or public service announcements
- Take a free online independent study course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute and gain more knowledge to help your community become more prepared.
- Find ways to get involved through FEMA's Preparedness Community.
Support your community by participating in FEMA’s individual and community preparedness programs: Citizen Corps, Community Emergency Response Team, Prepareathon, Youth Preparedness
Until Help Arrives
You Are the Help Until Help Arrives (Until Help Arrives), designed by FEMA, are trainings that can be taken online or in-person, where participants learn to take action and, through simple steps, potentially can save a life before professional help arrives. The program encourages the public to take these five steps when there is an emergency.
- Call 9-1-1;
- Protect the injured from harm;
- Stop bleeding;
- Position the injured so they can breathe; and
- Provide comfort.
Citizen Corps
The Citizen Corps mission is accomplished through a national network of state, local, and tribal Citizen Corps Councils. These Councils build on community strengths to implement the Citizen Corps preparedness programs and carry out a local strategy to involve government, community leaders, and citizens in all-hazards preparedness and resilience.
Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.
- To learn how you can register for Citizen Corps or find a program near you, please contact your local emergency manager or FEMA at FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov
Community Emergency Response Team
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates individuals 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.
- Register, join or login to your CERT
- To learn how you can register for CERT or find a program near you, please contact your local emergency manager or FEMA at FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov
Youth Preparedness
As of May 2014, according to the National Center for Education Statistics there is a total of 69.6 million children in school or child care in the United States. Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time, often without warning, where you may not be together with your children.
Starting or getting involved with a youth preparedness program is a great way to enhance a community’s resilience and help develop future generations of prepared adults.
College & University Flu Vaccination Challenge
Help prevent influenza at your college or university! Hosted by Alana's Foundation with support from MDHHS, this is a friendly competition to challenge Michiganders to get vaccinated against the flu.
By participating in this challenge, your institution will receive:
- Access to educational resources and programs
- An award of participation
- A change to win free registration to state immunization conferences
Learn more about the College & University Flu Vaccination Challenge
Plan a Prepare Fair in Your Community
A Prepare Fair is a large community event that brings together local, state and federal partners to share free information and resources on how residents can recover from and/or prepare themselves and their families for an emergency or disaster. The event takes place in September, which is National and Michigan’s Preparedness Month, in a large open outdoor space to provide room for vehicle displays and activities. Download the guide on how to plan a Prepare Fair in your community!