Involving the Community

Maintain a dialogue with community leaders, first responders, government agencies, community organizations and utilities, including:

· Appointed and elected leaders
· Fire, police and emergency medical services personnel
· Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) members
· Emergency management director
· Public Works Department
· American Red Cross
· Hospitals
· Telephone company
· Electric utility
· Neighborhood groups

Have regular meetings with community emergency personnel to review emergency plans and procedures. Talk about what you're doing to prepare for and prevent emergencies. Explain your concern for the community's welfare.

Identify ways your facility could help the community in a community-wide emergency.

Look for common interests and concerns. Identify opportunities for sharing resources and information.

Conduct confidence-building activities such as facility tours. Do a facility walk-through with community response groups.

Involve community fire, police and emergency management personnel in drills and exercises.

Meet with your neighbors to determine how you could assist each other in an emergency.