5-Minute Message: Mythbusting Month: “Disaster Awareness”
Many programs have the goal of making more people “aware of disasters.” It’s a myth that learning more and more about the hazards we face makes people more prepared – in fact, threat overload often stops people from taking action. It is always valuable, however, to build your capacity to generate solutions and be resourceful. Some skills and steps will be helpful in countless situations: keeping updated staff information; learning neighborhood resources; practicing problem solving in staff meetings or trainings.
Beware of overloading people with disaster factoids and gruesome images. Invest more energy in solutions that enable your staff to be powerful, resourceful and confidant responders.
