EM: “Now let’s talk about the workbook guide, the Active Planning Workbook.
“The Active Planning Workbook guides the CSM. Participants collaborate to complete 3 steps using 3 tools in the Workbook.”
Where are we now?
Where do we want to be?
How do we get there?
3 Tools to Complete
Needs Assessment/ Gap Analysis
Set priorities
Close the gap with an Action Plan
Character 19: [Signing] “As CSM participants collaborate to complete the Active Planning Workbook, group discussion will identify gaps and lead to strategies for closing gaps. Once the Workbook is complete the community will have a blueprint to make the local emergency plan more inclusive.”
Terrye, review the Workbook by clicking on the link below.
“You’ll be able to download the entire Workbook as a PDF as you leave Disasterville County.”
Character 18: [Signing] “Let’s go over the 3 Steps in more detail. Step 1: The Meeting Facilitator reads Tool 1, a checklist, out loud, item by item. Participants decide together whether the community meets each standard described. The Recorder makes a check mark in the Workbook if standards are met and leaves a blank if standards aren’t met. Some communities choose to give themselves partial credit.”
The checklist is meant to start a discussion about disability and other populations with access and functional needs, local emergency services, resources and individual responsibility to self-prepare.
As items are read aloud participants share ideas, knowledge, expertise and resources. As the discussion continues, gaps and areas for improvement become clear, and participants begin to generate strategies to address the gaps.
Check marks mean a standard has been met. Unchecked lines indicate gaps or areas for improvement.
If the checklist seems overwhelming, remember it’s a discussion starter. Some items may not apply to every community.
PJ: “Think of your own community as you look at examples from the Tool 1 checklist from the Active Planning Workbook.”
From: Tool 1 – Where are we now?
Transportation and evacuation
Mass care sheltering
Emergency Dispensing Sites (EDS)
Recovery
The key is to individualize Tool 1, the checklist, to your community. Some parts of the checklist may be more important for your community than others.
Character 10: “Step 2: The Recorder tallies the check marks and blank spaces from Tool 1 and announces the results. The CSM meeting participants decide on 5 gaps or areas for improvement with simple, quick and/or inexpensive solutions. The group then selects 3 gaps that will need more extensive or expensive solutions.”
Character 8: “Step 3: The Facilitator leads the group to complete an Action Plan which describes the main gaps identified, proposed strategies to address those gaps, people responsible for implementation and a timeline. The Action Plan is based on the results of the checklist and discussions at the CSM.
Just for practice, Terrye, choose a priority based on your own brief gap analysis and fill in the abbreviated Tool 3 below. Then you’ll be ready for the Disasterville CSM in a few weeks.