Disaster preparedness at the local and national level.

Our Roadmap to Preparedness outreach team has been busy this year spreading our unique and important messages on insurance preparedness at the local level all the way up to the national level. So far in 2012, UP staff has shared our survey results on the chronic problem of post-disaster insurance gaps and given “insurance assurance” presentations to community organizations throughout California. Kaye Coates has made great connections for UP with 2-1-1 organizations throughout the state to add UP to their county by county help resources. 2-1-1 is a help hotline often sponsored by local United Way chapters or other information resource organizations. Program Coordinator Emily Cabral facilitated a “Resilientville” exercise in the Bay Area with colleagues from SF CARD, American Red Cross – Bay Area Chapter and the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management. The exercise, part of the San Francisco Interfaith Council conference, highlighted the importance of working together as a community, developing decision-making skills and building relationships before disasters that strengthen response capacity. Cabral was recently promoted to Vice President of the Northern California VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Assisting in Disasters). On the National level, UP participated in the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Conference in Norfolk, Virginia and the National Tornado Preparedness Summit in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Inter-agency connections and relationships help us immensely in our effectiveness after disasters. During the chaos of a disaster is no time to be swapping business cards. This summer UP will be an exhibitor at wildfire preparedness fairs throughout California, spreading the word about the importance of preparing a home inventory, storing important documents offsite and reviewing your home insurance policy BEFORE the next disaster. Are you prepared for wildfire season?

– I have completed a home inventory
– I have copies of my important documents offsite (including my insurance policy and home inventory)
– My insurance agent has completed an annual check-in to make sure I have adequate coverage
– I have cleared brush from around my home