Emergency Management
Neighborhood & Business Response
Helping Others
Civic-minded individuals consider that it is not enough to have individual plans. It's also important to assist others in creating their plans and kits and to make a plan for how each of us will be able to help in our neighborhoods during disasters. In addition, employees of a business or group of businesses can join together to learn how to assist each others in emergency situations. There are several steps to creating a neighborhood organization.
Step 1: The Basis of Help
Start by gathering basic knowledge about your environment.
- Discover who resides/works in the neighborhood/business and who has specific individual needs.
- Discover which emergency situations have the highest potential of occurring in your neighborhood/business.
- Learn how to be alert to those emergency situations.
Step 2: The Means to Help
People should work with your neighbors/co-workers to make communications plans for how people will inform and follow up with others, before, during and after a disaster.
- Develop procedures that are appropriate for your environment.
- Make a contact list of neighbors/co-workers who are available to help others. Include those who have special skills.
Step 3: The Tools to Help
There are several programs in Arlington where people are trained and organized to respond. Examples are:
Step 4: The Ability to Help
There are a number of distinct neighborhoods in Arlington County, many of which have their own Civic Associations.
Step 5: Protecting Those Who Help
Because people are encouraged to help others, they are legally protected through the Good Samaritan Law (PDF).
ON THIS PAGE
Step 1: The Basis of Help
Step 2: The Means to Help
Step 3: The Tools to Help
Step 4: The Ability to Help
Step 5: Protecting Those Who Help
