Presentation Requests: Difference between revisions
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Community members wisely place confidence in NETs' knowledge and abilities, and often request presentations about emergency preparedness. This is a guide for handling various kinds of requests. | Community members wisely place confidence in NETs' knowledge and abilities, and often request presentations about emergency preparedness. This is a guide for handling various kinds of requests. | ||
'''One of NETs' most important "blue skies" preparedness tasks is | '''One of NETs' most important "blue skies" preparedness tasks is delivering all-hazard preparedness education, and empowering neighbors to develop their own plans.''' | ||
== Requests for too-short presentations == | |||
Sometimes groups ask for a 15-minute presentation about how to prepare for emergencies. That simply is not enough time. | |||
''What to say:'' ‘Spending only a few minutes on this important topic is not worth either of our time, and probably will not save any lives in an emergency. I would not want to create more questions than I answer, or provide a false sense of security by merely checking a couple of boxes.’ | |||
Most people understand and appreciate this immediately. If someone pushes back, your answer does not change. Consider something like, ‘I am delighted that you understand how critical emergency preparation is. And I appreciate your urgency and limited time. But like any useful education, delivering this information properly requires a little time. In fact the presentation we offer could easily fill an entire afternoon, but we have refined and compressed a LOT of information into those 60-75 minutes, and I promise that attendees will finish inspired to take action!’ | |||
If they are adamant, then convert this into an opportunity to promote the NET and BEECN programs, describe your experience as a volunteer, and wrap it up with an offer to return and provide the ''Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family, and Your '''Community''''' presentation. | |||
== Requests for Specific Advice == | == Requests for Specific Advice == | ||
* ''"Where should I go after an earthquake?"'' | * ''"Where should I go after an earthquake?"'' | ||
| Line 8: | Line 16: | ||
* ''"What exactly do I need to have in my personal kit?"'' | * ''"What exactly do I need to have in my personal kit?"'' | ||
These kinds of questions seek | These kinds of questions seek instant answers, but conditional analysis is required. Providing that kind of individualized advice is not the purview of NETs. (Nor PBEM.) This is not intended to be mean or lazy, but we need to reframe the approach. It is ''fantastic'' that your neighbors have trust in you to ask! However, NETs are trained to do the greatest good for the greatest number. Your team may, of course, choose to ''support'' any plan that a business, school, or other organization develops – ''if'' you decide to make response to them part of your team’s ops strategy among other competing interests, and ''if'' you consider their plan to be safe, and ''if'' scene size-up during an emergency establishes that it safe for you to respond. | ||
== Indemnification and Liability == | == Indemnification and Liability == | ||
This is a good time to recall the fact that if you were not trained to do something by PBEM, you are not [[Indemnification|indemnified]] for it.’ | This is a good time to recall the fact that if you were not trained to do something by PBEM, you are not [[Indemnification|indemnified]] for it.’ Providing detailed advice about family reunification? Seismically retrofitting a building? Describing how to chainsaw a tree? Nope, none of the above. | ||
Specific emergency planning for business or school entities involves COOP (Continuity of Operations Planning), which is a distinct specialty; see [[Presentation Request#Additional Resources|Additional Resources]] below. Private entities must make their own determinations for their emergency assessments and plans, and assume responsibility and liability. NETs (and most PBEM staff) are not generally qualified to offer specific technical or strategic advice, so it would be inappropriate to do so. | |||
== Constructive ways to decline providing individualized advice == | == Constructive ways to decline providing individualized advice == | ||
| Line 17: | Line 27: | ||
* ‘We cannot possibly understand all of your operational needs – and some of them are probably confidential. Therefore we are not qualified to offer specific advice.' | * ‘We cannot possibly understand all of your operational needs – and some of them are probably confidential. Therefore we are not qualified to offer specific advice.' | ||
* ‘There are many factors that affect emergency response planning. As volunteers, we are trained to provide solid foundational education about emergency preparation, not specific solutions for ''any'' organization. We will help you help yourself!’ | * ‘There are many factors that affect emergency response planning. As volunteers, we are trained to provide solid foundational education about emergency preparation, not specific solutions for ''any'' organization. We will help you help yourself!’ | ||
* ‘You are the person who is ideally suited to plan for your [students/family/colleagues]. And I want to provide holistic information so that you can figure out what is best for them | * ‘You are the person who is ideally suited to plan for the safety of your [students/family/colleagues]. And I want to provide holistic information so that you can figure out what is best for them in any situation.’ | ||
== NETs | == NETs empower through education, not individualized solutions == | ||
* ''What to say:'' ‘Based on our successful experience with organizations like yours, the best next step for your audience is to schedule our free, 60-75 minute interactive presentation titled ''Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family, and Your '''Community'''''.’ (Note the | * ''What to say:'' ‘Based on our successful experience with organizations like yours, the best next step for your audience is to schedule our free, 60-75 minute interactive presentation titled ''Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family, and Your '''Community'''''.’ (Note the emphasis on Community. This is not how-to advice about building a bunker.) | ||
* This presentation is the | * This presentation is the cornerstone [[Speakers Bureau]] product. It is is best delivered in-person for a close-knit group, but also can be delivered online. | ||
== How the public may request a presentation == | == How the public may request a presentation == | ||
If at all possible, please channel requests through PBEM by providing this link: https://pbem.link/eprep | |||
When the request is received, PBEM will | When the request is received, PBEM will pass it along to the nearby Team Leader(s). | ||
=== Why use the form? === | === Why use the form? === | ||
# It collects all the logistical information you will need. | # It collects all the logistical information you will need. | ||
# | # It logs the request for program [https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=ec93a2047d334673b524309b69421664 performance metrics] to support budget requests. '''Requests that are not counted are not funded''' | ||
== Presentation Blurb == | == Presentation Blurb == | ||
| Line 68: | Line 71: | ||
== Additional Resources == | == Additional Resources == | ||
=== Small Organizations & Businesses === | |||
* FEMA: [https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessConnect/s/article/Ready-for-Anything-Preparing-Your-Organization-or-Small-Business-for-the-Unexpected-with-FEMA-s-Resources Ready for Anything: Preparing Your Organization or Small Business for the Unexpected with FEMA’s Resources] | * FEMA: [https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessConnect/s/article/Ready-for-Anything-Preparing-Your-Organization-or-Small-Business-for-the-Unexpected-with-FEMA-s-Resources Ready for Anything: Preparing Your Organization or Small Business for the Unexpected with FEMA’s Resources] | ||
* Items collected on [https://portlandnet.tumblr.com/tagged/BusinessPrep the Tumblr] | |||
=== Schools === | |||
* FEMA: [https://www.ready.gov/kids/educators-organizations Ready Kids: Educators & Organizations] | |||
* FEMA: [https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/guide-developing-school-emergency-operations-plans.pdf Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans] | |||
* Items collected on [https://portlandnet.tumblr.com/tagged/youth the Tumblr] | |||
Revision as of 13:09, 27 September 2024
Community members wisely place confidence in NETs' knowledge and abilities, and often request presentations about emergency preparedness. This is a guide for handling various kinds of requests.
One of NETs' most important "blue skies" preparedness tasks is delivering all-hazard preparedness education, and empowering neighbors to develop their own plans.
Requests for too-short presentations
Sometimes groups ask for a 15-minute presentation about how to prepare for emergencies. That simply is not enough time.
What to say: ‘Spending only a few minutes on this important topic is not worth either of our time, and probably will not save any lives in an emergency. I would not want to create more questions than I answer, or provide a false sense of security by merely checking a couple of boxes.’
Most people understand and appreciate this immediately. If someone pushes back, your answer does not change. Consider something like, ‘I am delighted that you understand how critical emergency preparation is. And I appreciate your urgency and limited time. But like any useful education, delivering this information properly requires a little time. In fact the presentation we offer could easily fill an entire afternoon, but we have refined and compressed a LOT of information into those 60-75 minutes, and I promise that attendees will finish inspired to take action!’
If they are adamant, then convert this into an opportunity to promote the NET and BEECN programs, describe your experience as a volunteer, and wrap it up with an offer to return and provide the Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family, and Your Community presentation.
Requests for Specific Advice
- "Where should I go after an earthquake?"
- "Can you create our business/school/family evacuation plan?"
- "What exactly do I need to have in my personal kit?"
These kinds of questions seek instant answers, but conditional analysis is required. Providing that kind of individualized advice is not the purview of NETs. (Nor PBEM.) This is not intended to be mean or lazy, but we need to reframe the approach. It is fantastic that your neighbors have trust in you to ask! However, NETs are trained to do the greatest good for the greatest number. Your team may, of course, choose to support any plan that a business, school, or other organization develops – if you decide to make response to them part of your team’s ops strategy among other competing interests, and if you consider their plan to be safe, and if scene size-up during an emergency establishes that it safe for you to respond.
Indemnification and Liability
This is a good time to recall the fact that if you were not trained to do something by PBEM, you are not indemnified for it.’ Providing detailed advice about family reunification? Seismically retrofitting a building? Describing how to chainsaw a tree? Nope, none of the above.
Specific emergency planning for business or school entities involves COOP (Continuity of Operations Planning), which is a distinct specialty; see Additional Resources below. Private entities must make their own determinations for their emergency assessments and plans, and assume responsibility and liability. NETs (and most PBEM staff) are not generally qualified to offer specific technical or strategic advice, so it would be inappropriate to do so.
Constructive ways to decline providing individualized advice
What to say:
- ‘We cannot possibly understand all of your operational needs – and some of them are probably confidential. Therefore we are not qualified to offer specific advice.'
- ‘There are many factors that affect emergency response planning. As volunteers, we are trained to provide solid foundational education about emergency preparation, not specific solutions for any organization. We will help you help yourself!’
- ‘You are the person who is ideally suited to plan for the safety of your [students/family/colleagues]. And I want to provide holistic information so that you can figure out what is best for them in any situation.’
NETs empower through education, not individualized solutions
- What to say: ‘Based on our successful experience with organizations like yours, the best next step for your audience is to schedule our free, 60-75 minute interactive presentation titled Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family, and Your Community.’ (Note the emphasis on Community. This is not how-to advice about building a bunker.)
- This presentation is the cornerstone Speakers Bureau product. It is is best delivered in-person for a close-knit group, but also can be delivered online.
How the public may request a presentation
If at all possible, please channel requests through PBEM by providing this link: https://pbem.link/eprep
When the request is received, PBEM will pass it along to the nearby Team Leader(s).
Why use the form?
- It collects all the logistical information you will need.
- It logs the request for program performance metrics to support budget requests. Requests that are not counted are not funded
Presentation Blurb
Title
Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family, and Your Community
Sample blurb
Be prepared, not scared! A representative of the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) will present simple, inexpensive ways to prepare for emergencies ranging from severe weather to a major earthquake. During this engaging session we will discuss making plans for home, work, and school; creating go/stay kits; storing water and food; home retrofitting; multifamily buildings; emergency sanitation; and more. You also will learn about optional volunteer opportunities to serve your neighbors during an emergency by receiving additional training from PBEM and Portland Fire & Rescue.
Logistics
Delivery: Virtual or in-person
Time required: approximately 1¼ hours
Group size: Minimum 10, maximum unlimited
Location: PBEM can only accommodate requests within the City of Portland
Public request form
Requests submitted there are channeled by PBEM to the nearby NET Team Leader(s).
Presentation handouts
Please review the List of Materials and use the Request Form.
Additional Resources
Small Organizations & Businesses
- FEMA: Ready for Anything: Preparing Your Organization or Small Business for the Unexpected with FEMA’s Resources
- Items collected on the Tumblr
Schools
- FEMA: Ready Kids: Educators & Organizations
- FEMA: Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans
- Items collected on the Tumblr
Be prepared, not scared! A representative of the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) will present simple, inexpensive ways to prepare for emergencies ranging from severe weather to a major earthquake. During this engaging session we will discuss making plans for home, work, and school; creating go/stay kits; storing water and food; home retrofitting; multifamily buildings; emergency sanitation; and more. You also will learn about optional volunteer opportunities to serve your neighbors during an emergency by receiving additional training from PBEM and Portland Fire & Rescue.
Delivery: Virtual or in-person
Time required: approximately 1¼ hours
Group size: Minimum 10, maximum unlimited
Location: PBEM can only accommodate requests within the City of Portland