Donata Nilsen, MPH, DrPH(c), is CARD’s new guest blogger.  Donata is finishing up a two-year study of Alameda County nonprofits that serve the homeless. In her first blog entry, Donata introduces us to an interesting discovery she’s made.

Taking care of the basic immediate needs of clients, especially in this time of high need and reduced resources, can leave staff and volunteers at many nonprofits barely able to catch their breaths. So, it’s not surprising that preparing for disasters falls near the bottom of the “To Do” list. I’m currently finishing a 2-year study of organizations serving the homeless in Alameda County through the Center for Infectious Diseases and Emergency Readiness (CIDER) at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. I’ve learned that without deliberately focusing on Disaster Preparedness, some nonprofits are increasing their disaster preparedness and response capabilities. How? By leveraging longstanding interorganizational relationships. On July 21st, I’ll be presenting the results of my study and explaining why interorganizational relationships to increase nonprofits’ disaster preparedness warrant further attention.  For more information contact me at (925) 930-8492 or dnilsen@berkeley.edu

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June 24th, 2011 | Tags: CIDER, Donata Nilsen, emergency preparedness, Public Health | Category: Good Advice, Public Health | Leave a comment

Oakland, CA – May 25, 2011:  Everyone is invited on Thursday, May 26, 2011 (between 10am–3pm) to the Get Ready! Public Emergency Preparedness Fair held at the Oakland Coliseum (7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland; BART accessible, Coliseum Station). The fair will include raffles, gifts, trainings, vendors and demonstrations! There will also be information on volunteer opportunities as well as FREE Whooping Cough Vaccinations while supplies last.  

CARD – Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters – will be holding onsite preparedness trainings on their SKIP (Safety Kept In Place) Kits. SKIP Kits are made from inexpensive, everyday objects that can serve as powerful preparedness tools in the event of a disaster. The first 1,000 people to complete the short training will receive a FREE SKIP Kit. CARD trainings will be given in English, Spanish and ASL (American Sign Language).

“Everyone is invited to CARD’s area.  We’ll have giveaways such as Potty Posters, wallet cards, and candy. Our trainings will show people how creative they can be AND that they are more prepared than they think. This is the fun part of preparedness!” says Âna-Marie Jones, Executive Director, CARD.

This event is organized by the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD).  For more information on the Public Emergency Preparedness Fair, please contact Zerlyn Ladua at 510-208-5962or Zerlyn.ladua@acgov.org or visit www.ACPHD.org.

Other Get Ready! Preparedness Fair participants include the American Red Cross and the ACPHD iWHACK Germs program.

For info on CARD’s trainings and alternatives to traditional emergency preparedness, please contact Âna-Marie Jones at 510-451-3140 or AMJ@CARDcanhelp.org. More info and giveaways will be offered on:

www.Facebook.com/CARDcanhelp ~ http://CARDcanhelp.org/Blog ~ www.Twitter.com/CARDcanhelp

CARD was created after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake by local nonprofits to address the preparedness and response needs of agencies serving vulnerable consumers.  CARD has created an alternative curriculum and a fear-free approach to fit the cultures, structures and budgets of the nonprofit sector.

CARD’s work to prepare nonprofits and vulnerable communities is made possible by: Alameda County Public Health Department, Alameda County OES, United Way of the Bay Area, Walter and Elise Haas Fund, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, City of Oakland, San Francisco Foundation, and many individual nonprofit agencies.

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May 26th, 2011 | Tags: CARD, communication, community, Couch Potato Preparedness, emergency preparedness, go kit, go-kits, Planning, Preparedness, Public Health | Category: Alameda County, CARD Tools, Public Health, Useful Tools | Leave a comment

Learn FAST, FUN, EASY emergency preparedness skills & meet disaster response agencies and vendors! Click HERE for more info.

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May 25th, 2011 | Tags: communication, Couch Potato Preparedness, Public Health, Safety | Category: Alameda County, CARD Tools, Public Health, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A key emergency preparedness and disaster response skill — one rarely mentioned — is knowing how to breathe to decrease stress, increase alertness, and foster health during a crisis situation. While learning how to breathe is easy, the hardest piece may be choosing the best model for beginning the breathing conversation.

Different techniques might resonate better for different people: learning how to breathe from a yoga teacher, a Lamaze coach, or “tactical/combat” breathing as taught by an instructor from a more military-style paradigm.

Tactical breathing is quite simple: Breathe in to a slow count of 4, hold for 4, breathe out for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, repeat!

Youtube offers many videos to help get you started with building your team to be great breathers!

Tip: Encourage anyone with a Smart phone to download a “breathing” App! Examples: Tactical Breathing Trainer, or Breathing Zone.

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September 20th, 2010 | Tags: health, Public Health, techniques, Technology | Category: 2010, STAT, STAT 5MM | Leave a comment

Virtually every emergency supply list includes advice about storing food for emergencies and disasters. Help your team to think of stored food as a resource “to thrive” not just “to survive” when emergencies happen.

Empower and support your team in making healthy food choices – help them prepare for health!

Tip: Encourage people to keep healthy snacks at work: nuts, dried fruit, granola, chewable vitamins, etc. In an emergency, it will help people to be more resilient and self-sufficient.

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September 13th, 2010 | Tags: emergency preparedness, food, health, Preparedness, Public Health, thrive | Category: 2010, STAT, STAT 5MM | Leave a comment

Alameda County H1N1 & Tdap vaccination clinic schedule (PDF)

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July 28th, 2010 | Tags: ACPHD, Alameda County, Clinic, H1N1, Pertussis, Public Health, Tdap, Vaccine | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Teach kids before flu season what they can do to keep themselves and others safe. Use games, songs and other tools to teach basic skills like proper hand washing:
• use warm soap and water and wash thoroughly for at least 20 seconds
• remember between the fingers and on the backs of the hands
• dry hands completely and throw the paper towel in the trash (after using it to open the door)

Kids can also learn how to sneeze correctly: into tissues, of course, or into their elbows or even down their shirts – this is better than sneezing into the air or into their hands and then touching things. Wash hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer afterward.

Take the fear and threat out of flu exposure and help kids learn positive, empowering and sharable skills.

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September 14th, 2009 | Tags: children, Flu, H1N1, Public Health | Category: 2009, STAT 5MM | Leave a comment