Tweet
Re: The National Pandemic Preparedness Blog Summit
Thank you Michael for an inspiring essay and call to action.
As Michael mentioned above Neighborhood Watch programs are common in the United States and are easy to manage.
This framework is already in place nationwide and can be utilized to organize neighbors, family, friends, associates. This platform can be used to present materials on pandemic influenza and recruit others to help you. This group could serve, not only as a planning tool, but also act as a implementation group during a disaster for medical, food, water, and information in an emergency.
It is easy to start a Neighborhood Watch program.
Step One: Call local police department and ask for either Neighborhood Watch officer or Community Service officer.
Step Two: Do an informal canvassing of your neighborhood to see how many are interested. My police department requires that 51% of the selected area desire a Neighborhood Watch program. This canvass is informal and no petition is required.
Step Three: Schedule the first meeting. At this meeting the Neighborhood Watch officer will come and make a presentation with literature and a video. The Neighborhood Watch Captain is selected from among those present.
The requirements for my area are that there is one meeting held each year and that the Captain distribute a quarterly Neighborhood Watch newsletter that is prepared by the police department. Adopt an emergency worker or health care worker and include him/her in the group.
National Crime Prevention Council Neighborhood Watch link: http://www.ncpc.org/Topics/Neighborhood_Watch/index.php
Red Cross link: http://www.redcross.org/
Or.. gather 10 persons from among your family, friends, neighbors and start a group of Disaster Partners. Determine each person's skill and assign responsibilities in the event of any kind of disaster. The strength of this partnership would allow for buying at a group discount, co-mingling of resources, and provide for mutual assistance and support during any kind of unfortunate event. A emergency or health care worker would be an invaluable addition to such a group.
This concept would work in all countries. It is neighbor helping neighbor. Friend helping friend. Man helping his fellow man.
It is the collective effort of the community that succeeds. It is a privilege to be able to participate. These group efforts could result in lessening the suffering of millions. It is the civil society that can empower and activate the efforts necessary to survive and even thrive in an era of disruption.
From the WHO web site:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
“…While it is impossible to predict with accuracy when a pandemic might occur or its exact impact, the potential for widespread human infection – accompanied by severe illness and death – cannot be dismissed. An avian influenza pandemic also would cause catastrophic social and economic disruption. In fact, a pandemic is more than a health crisis; it is a challenge that must be met by all sectors of society. <o:p></o:p>Preparation can mitigate the direct health, social and economic impacts of a pandemic. WHO recommends that each country and area have in place a pandemic preparedness plan. The planning process should involve a broad spectrum of government ministries and agencies, as well as civil society. WHO has the responsibility to assist its Member States in developing their preparedness plans. …”<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
We are the “civil society”.
Each of us, in a collective global volunteer effort on the internet, has joined together to form one community to help our fellow man. The vision, the enthusiasm, and the perseverance lies in each of us until we call it forward and speak with one voice – the voice of the humanitarian spirit.
If not us - who? If not now - when?
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
Mohandas Ghandi
Thank you Michael for an inspiring essay and call to action.
As Michael mentioned above Neighborhood Watch programs are common in the United States and are easy to manage.
This framework is already in place nationwide and can be utilized to organize neighbors, family, friends, associates. This platform can be used to present materials on pandemic influenza and recruit others to help you. This group could serve, not only as a planning tool, but also act as a implementation group during a disaster for medical, food, water, and information in an emergency.
It is easy to start a Neighborhood Watch program.
Step One: Call local police department and ask for either Neighborhood Watch officer or Community Service officer.
Step Two: Do an informal canvassing of your neighborhood to see how many are interested. My police department requires that 51% of the selected area desire a Neighborhood Watch program. This canvass is informal and no petition is required.
Step Three: Schedule the first meeting. At this meeting the Neighborhood Watch officer will come and make a presentation with literature and a video. The Neighborhood Watch Captain is selected from among those present.
The requirements for my area are that there is one meeting held each year and that the Captain distribute a quarterly Neighborhood Watch newsletter that is prepared by the police department. Adopt an emergency worker or health care worker and include him/her in the group.
National Crime Prevention Council Neighborhood Watch link: http://www.ncpc.org/Topics/Neighborhood_Watch/index.php
Red Cross link: http://www.redcross.org/
Or.. gather 10 persons from among your family, friends, neighbors and start a group of Disaster Partners. Determine each person's skill and assign responsibilities in the event of any kind of disaster. The strength of this partnership would allow for buying at a group discount, co-mingling of resources, and provide for mutual assistance and support during any kind of unfortunate event. A emergency or health care worker would be an invaluable addition to such a group.
This concept would work in all countries. It is neighbor helping neighbor. Friend helping friend. Man helping his fellow man.
It is the collective effort of the community that succeeds. It is a privilege to be able to participate. These group efforts could result in lessening the suffering of millions. It is the civil society that can empower and activate the efforts necessary to survive and even thrive in an era of disruption.
From the WHO web site:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
“…While it is impossible to predict with accuracy when a pandemic might occur or its exact impact, the potential for widespread human infection – accompanied by severe illness and death – cannot be dismissed. An avian influenza pandemic also would cause catastrophic social and economic disruption. In fact, a pandemic is more than a health crisis; it is a challenge that must be met by all sectors of society. <o:p></o:p>Preparation can mitigate the direct health, social and economic impacts of a pandemic. WHO recommends that each country and area have in place a pandemic preparedness plan. The planning process should involve a broad spectrum of government ministries and agencies, as well as civil society. WHO has the responsibility to assist its Member States in developing their preparedness plans. …”<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
We are the “civil society”.
Each of us, in a collective global volunteer effort on the internet, has joined together to form one community to help our fellow man. The vision, the enthusiasm, and the perseverance lies in each of us until we call it forward and speak with one voice – the voice of the humanitarian spirit.
If not us - who? If not now - when?
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
Mohandas Ghandi
2,6-galactose (SA
Comment