Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) promotes National Preparedness Month, a campaign to educate and empower individuals and communities to prepare for emergencies. In 2024, FEMA emphasizes the importance of disaster readiness with the theme “Start a Conversation.” These campaigns are for everyone in any community, but the campaign chooses a specific focus group to highlight each year. In 2021, it was the Latino community; in 2022, it was the Black and African American community; in 2023, it was older adults; and in 2024, it is the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.
By focusing material in this way, these groups can better equip themselves with the necessary tools and informative resources to prepare in advance of potential disasters. In addition, these campaigns help other community members better understand the needs of people across cultures and languages. With insights from FEMA, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and other organizations, this article highlights key preparedness strategies and offers actionable steps to enhance community capabilities before the next disaster.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Groups
On August 8, 2023, wildfires destroyed thousands of structures and claimed more than 100 lives on the island of Maui. The following after-action reports identified gaps and presented possible ways to fill them:
- The County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety highlighted 17 specific challenges and 111 recommendations for overcoming them. Increasing situational awareness and public involvement were among the recommendations.
- The Maui Police Department made 32 recommendations along with their progress in implementing them. Ensuring accurate public information campaigns was challenging. The department also recognized the strong community ties related to disasters:
Countless numbers of volunteers gave their time and energy at the multiple disaster shelters setup across the island. Individuals and groups donated non-perishable food items, toiletries, diapers, and clothing from their homes and even emptied the shelves of Maui’s retail, wholesale, and grocery stores to provide items for those who lost everything in the fires.
Throughout the year, the emergency preparedness community has followed Hawaii’s response and recovery efforts to find better ways to prepare these and other vulnerable populations. Then, in a May 30, 2024, press release, FEMA announced the 2024 National Preparedness theme and focus on AANHPI groups for risks and disasters. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stated:
We’re committed to understanding the realities of such a broad and diverse community to improve how messaging and resources reach people and help deliver our mission in a powerful, long-lasting and impactful way.
In addition, FEMA’s 2023 National Household Survey exposed the following trend that creates a barrier to these communities preparing for disasters and connecting:
65% of the Asian Americans and 58% of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders surveyed reported that they don’t believe that taking a step to prepare will make a difference and were not confident in their ability to prepare.
With Asian Americans comprising the fastest-growing group in the United States between 2000 and 2019, FEMA’s campaign underscores the necessity of readiness and encouraging communities to engage in preparedness activities: develop emergency plans, assemble disaster kits, and stay informed. Addressing any unique cultural, linguistic, and economic barriers is a critical component of preparedness for the AANHPI group’s survival and recovery.
Taking Steps to Prepare
Language barriers, cultural differences, socioeconomic disparities, and other factors introduce distinct challenges for groups like AANHPI in disaster preparedness. Such challenges can hinder effective communication, understanding of risks, and access to resources. To address these issues, FEMA has partnered with community-based organizations to develop culturally tailored outreach materials and training programs. For instance, FEMA’s Ready Campaign offers multilingual resources that cater to the linguistic needs across communities. Additionally, FEMA offers train-the-trainer programs to empower community leaders to disseminate preparedness information within their networks.
The NFPA also plays a significant role in emergency preparedness by focusing on fire safety, a critical concern in many densely populated neighborhoods. NFPA’s outreach efforts include fire safety education programs that are culturally relevant and accessible, ensuring that fire prevention measures are effectively communicated. Key steps that FEMA, the NFPA, and other organizations recommend for personal and family preparedness include:
- Create a plan – Families should discuss potential disasters and create plans that include evacuation routes, communication methods, and meeting locations. The NFPA website includes Safety Tip Sheets to assist with planning, including fire safety, escape planning, and emergency preparedness.
- Build an emergency kit – A well-stocked emergency kit should contain essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medications, and important documents. The NFPA also recommends including fire safety items like fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. Understanding the risks specific to one’s region is crucial.
- Stay informed – It is imperative for community members to stay informed by monitoring local emergency alerts and signing up for community warning systems. Recognizing that access to information in one’s native language is vital, FEMA and other agencies are expanding their resources to include more languages and ensure that preparedness guidelines and resources are not only disseminated but also understood by everyone in the community.
- Get involved – Community organizations and leaders can play significant roles in preparedness activities. By participating in Local Emergency Planning Committees or Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), AANHPI and other community members can contribute to their collective safety.
In observance of National Preparedness Month 2024, it is imperative that communities, including AANHPI groups, take action to protect themselves and their families. Communities can significantly enhance their ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters when all community members take steps to prepare. However, resources and information must be accessible and available to ensure no one is alone in this journey. Local leaders and community organizations play a crucial role in promoting preparedness and should collaborate with other agencies and organizations to ensure that preparedness messages reach all community members. Building a culture of preparedness can save lives and strengthen the fabric of society.
Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. AANHPI groups and others, with each of their unique challenges and strengths, are called upon to take proactive steps in safeguarding their future. By leveraging the resources provided by FEMA, NFPA, and other organizations, communities can overcome barriers and “Start a Conversation” that builds personal and family emergency preparedness.
Ian Pleet
Ian Pleet is committed and dedicated to serving as an outstanding example of an emergency management professional with over thirty years of hands-on expertise. He is widely recognized as an adept manager of high-risk emergencies, with a strong focus on addressing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats (CBRNE), as well as weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and infectious diseases. His record of accomplishment is marked by the successful design and execution of exercises, delivering adult education using high-fidelity simulations, and establishing effective incident management systems during emergency responses. Moreover, Mr. Pleet is renowned for his ability to advocate policy and oversee program reviews, and he is considered an authority in risk management. He plays an active role in emergency management as an instructor for emergency management and incident command courses, contributing to industry publications and providing technical oversight for textbooks before publication. He is a pro-board-certified fire officer IV, FEMA Professional Continuity Practitioner, and DoD Antiterrorism Officer.
