Local Action for a Sustainable Tomorrow

Program Overview

Welcome to MYN - Map Your Neighborhood. Thanks for participating with us in this vital neighborhood preparedness program. Complete information and documents can be obtained at http://emd.wa.gov/myn/

The MYN materials include:
1. The MYN Neighbor Handout. This Handout is designed to help you and your neighbors prepare for and respond to disasters. It will help you:
a. learn the first 9 Steps to take Immediately Following Disaster,
b. identify the skills & equipment each neighbor has that are helpful in an effective disaster response, and
c. create a neighborhood map showing the locations of neighbors vulnerable to the injuries, trauma, and shock major disasters can cause (this includes neighbors who are elderly, those with disability, and children who may be home alone at the time); and, the locations of natural gas meters and propane tanks (leaking gas is responsible for the majority of residential fires that follow disasters).

2. The MYN Discussion Guide. We need someone in every neighborhood willing to gather their neighbors together for this vital discussion on preparedness. A disaster reality is that most neighborhoods will be on their own for the first hours following disaster, and maybe for as long as three days! If people have been hurt, if fire is starting, if property has been damaged, the first responders will be you and your neighbors because 9-1-1 will be overwhelmed by demand. This Guide will help you lead a successful discussion with your neighbors as you learn the three things stated above.

3. The MYN CD. The MYN CD contains information that will assist you with the successful implementation of this program.

CD CONTENTS
NOTE: These files have been designed so that you can personalize them. They are Word documents. Simply fill in relevant information or data and save them to your computer.

BROCHURE (available as an 8.5”x11” flyer & a 3.5”x8.5” handout)
Purpose: used to promote MYN
User: local offices of Emergency Management
How To Do: type in your contact information; print; cut (if necessary); distribute
DATABASE
Purpose: used to track program growth and to provide neighborhood contact information
User: ocal offices of Emergency Management
How To Do: follow the instructions on the Information tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet
Why:
1. you will want to know which of your neighborhoods are prepared to respond to disaster
2. if you decide to offer additional training opportunities (CERT, First Aid, etc.), you will want to be able to contact your neighborhoods
3. funding monies from grants and city/county councils are frequently dependant on being able to demonstrate the impact a program is having

FEEDBACK POSTCARD
Purpose: mailed back from each neighborhood that has completed MYN with the information required for the MYN database
User: the neighborhood group fills it out and returns it to the local office of Emergency Management
How To Do:
1. FIRST, THE LOCAL JURISDICTION: insert your mailing information prior to sending the packets to the neighborhoods; copy & insert a postcard in each packet; when this postcard is returned, add information to the MYN database
2. SECOND, THE NEIGHBORHOOD: complete and mail
Why: an effective disaster response is a cooperative effort between government First Responders (fire, medical, police, and utility) and neighborhoods that are prepared to be self-reliant in the first hours of the response. This postcard is a simple tool to help establish that communication.

MEETING REMINDER
Purpose: this is a written reminder left with each neighbor after a personal contact has been made. A key to a successful meeting is to personally invite all neighbors to attend. A flyer left on the porch will not encourage and motivate neighbors to attend.
User: the neighborhood meeting hosts
How To Do: enter your meeting information; copy; personally hand to each neighbor

PARTICIPANT EVALUATION
Purpose: to provide feedback to presenters from neighborhood groups
User: participants in the neighborhood meeting
ow To Do: presenters distribute to the group at the conclusion of the meeting; collect

PROGRAM EVALUATION
Purpose: to provide feedback to State Emergency Management from presenters
User: presenter of the neighborhood meeting
How To Do: presenters complete at the end of each neighborhood meeting; mail to State Emergency Management at the address listed below
Why: we are eager to improve this program – your feedback is what makes that possible

ADDRESSES OF CITY/COUNTY OFFICES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Purpose: to provide addresses of local offices of emergency management

CONTACT INFORMATION
LuAn K Johnson, PhD
Public Education Program Manager
Washington State Emergency Management
Building 20/MS; TA-20
Camp Murray, WA 98430-5122
253-512-7047
l.johnson@emd.wa.gov