ABOUT
Disasters and emergencies can strike at anytime and anywhere. But how many of us are actually prepared to respond? Many citizens rely on first responders to assist them. However, provincial and municipal governments have stated that households and communities must be prepared to be on their own for the first 72 hours of an emergency.
One of the best ways to enhance disaster resilience is by strengthening social connections between community members and engaging them in preparation. The WE’RE READY! Community Disaster Preparedness Workshop!© is a step-by-step tool that facilitates communities in designing and implementing their own disaster plans through interactive and hands-on community-building activities. The WE'RE READY! workshop is intended to complement existing emergency preparedness programs, to build on effective strategies, and to promote collaboration. WE'RE READY! is community-based, rather than individual or household-based, and builds on the principles of adult education.
The WE’RE READY! workshops have been implemented in several communities across Canada since 2019 with diverse populations and hazard scenarios. Workshop activities include: Community Capacity Bingo, Sharing Experiences for Lessons Learned, Mapping, Community Plan, Mock Disaster Simulation, Debriefing, and Building Momentum.
Working closely with the WE'RE READY! Team, CIFAL York organizes and facilitates WE'RE READY! workshops for local communities, groups, NGOs, universities, and businesses to enhance emergency preparedness. The Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (CIFAL) at York University is one of the 22 UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) global network of training centres focusing on knowledge-sharing, training, and capacity-building for public and private leaders, local authorities, and civil society. Click here to express your interest.
Read about the WE’RE READY! Workshop in HAZNet magazine and the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction.
One of the best ways to enhance disaster resilience is by strengthening social connections between community members and engaging them in preparation. The WE’RE READY! Community Disaster Preparedness Workshop!© is a step-by-step tool that facilitates communities in designing and implementing their own disaster plans through interactive and hands-on community-building activities. The WE'RE READY! workshop is intended to complement existing emergency preparedness programs, to build on effective strategies, and to promote collaboration. WE'RE READY! is community-based, rather than individual or household-based, and builds on the principles of adult education.
The WE’RE READY! workshops have been implemented in several communities across Canada since 2019 with diverse populations and hazard scenarios. Workshop activities include: Community Capacity Bingo, Sharing Experiences for Lessons Learned, Mapping, Community Plan, Mock Disaster Simulation, Debriefing, and Building Momentum.
Working closely with the WE'RE READY! Team, CIFAL York organizes and facilitates WE'RE READY! workshops for local communities, groups, NGOs, universities, and businesses to enhance emergency preparedness. The Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (CIFAL) at York University is one of the 22 UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) global network of training centres focusing on knowledge-sharing, training, and capacity-building for public and private leaders, local authorities, and civil society. Click here to express your interest.
Read about the WE’RE READY! Workshop in HAZNet magazine and the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction.
Mock disaster simulation. May 2016.
PURPOSE
To facilitate communities in designing and implementing their own disaster plans through interactive and engaging community-building activities.
Workshop participants. May 2016.
GOAL
Through participation, residents are collectively prepared for emergencies and respond in ways that reduce confusion and distress, prevent injury, save lives, and minimize or avoid damage.
Workshop activity. May 2016.
DELIVERABLES
Workshop participants design their own customized community disaster plan, including hazard and evacuation maps; communication plans; and a community capacity inventory.
