University of New Haven Saudi Red Crescent Family Preparedness Plan PPT We ask that you create a short powerpoint (limit to 30 slides or so) to convey the

University of New Haven Saudi Red Crescent Family Preparedness Plan PPT We ask that you create a short powerpoint (limit to 30 slides or so) to convey the project you have created.This presentation will present my capstone. Please, include speaker note. Running head: FAMILY PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Family Emergency Preparedness Plan for First Responders in Saudi Red Crescent
Ali
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FAMILY PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Certification
This is to certify that: Ali
Date
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Abstract
First responders face substantial risks while fighting emergency cases. Most of the first
responders do not have an emergency plan for their families. A family emergency plan for first
responders is of vital importance because it enhances safety and security for the family. The
mental preparedness of a first responder can be affected by the status of his relationship with
family members. Various study works show that the world is filled with unforeseen misfortunes
and uncertainties. There is a need for full-time preparedness to counter such cases when they
arise as an emergency. The methods applied in this project covers both the training and
assessment purposes. Skill assessment and social ownership method was used to measure the
effectiveness of the project on the first responders. The project also found out that preparedness
is the key factor behind a successful fight against emergencies.
Vocabulary: Emergency, first responder, family, preparedness, and disaster.
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Family Emergency preparedness plan for first responders in Saudi Red Crescent
First responders face substantial risks in their line of duty quite often. However, most of
the first responders do not have an emergency plan for their families in case things go wrong,
and either succumb to injuries or become incapacitated (Ryu, Kim, & Andrew, 2019). During a
disaster, everyone is worried about their family, including first responders. To deal with this
worry, the responders must develop a family emergency preparedness plan that allows them to
ensure their families are safe while at the same time doing their jobs. It is not easy for first
responders to concentrate on their work if they do not have the peace of mind that their families
are safe. Therefore, a family emergency plan for first responders is of vital importance because it
enhances safety and security not only for the first responder but also for their family (Bullock,
Haddow and Coppola, 2013). The first responders should have a written plan in advance that
should be easy to coordinate between them and their families. A family emergency preparedness
plan increases the first responder’s sense of security and peace of mind, and hence ensures that he
or she is ready to offer quality work during an emergency. Therefore, this project discusses the
challenge of crises in families and seeks the best remedy to counter the problem.
This project uses an educational program for first responders and the respective
organizations to deal with this gap. The program targets first responders, especially those
working with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. The program provides information regarding
the significance of a first responder’s family emergency preparedness plan for this group of
professionals. The achievement of the program is meant to follow a series of workshops and
seminars for all first responders working with the Red Crescent in Saudi Arabia and their
respective families. The program’s purpose is to educate first responders and their families on
how to secure valuables, ensure health safety, obtain insurance coverage, develop a family
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communication plan, and develop a family emergency kit. The participants are also taught how
to share information with the neighbors, take care of the vulnerable family members, plan on
how to access evacuation services, seek safe shelter, and access evacuation during an emergency.
Need for the project, including literature support
First responders have a responsibility to their families just like everyone else. However,
the first responders must respond to other emergency cases because that is the nature of their
work. A first responder would be prone to trauma and stress if their families’ are not cared for in
advance. This reason explains why first responders need to develop a family preparedness plan
that will allow them to focus on serving the public (Bullock, Haddow, and Coppola, 2013).
Indeed, first responders must take appropriate steps to prepare themselves and their families in
advance so that they can perform their jobs when a disaster strike.
The first responder’s mental preparedness is affected by their families. Most of them are
worried that their families may be vulnerable or affected by the emergency, and thus it may
divert their attention from serving the public as stipulated. Hence, the first responders and the
families need to be guided on an effective family emergency plan for more safety. For example,
the Saudi Red Crescent has at least 700 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and over 200
active volunteers (Saudi Red Crescent Authority – IFRC, 2017). These first responders work in
close collaboration with other first responders such as the World Health Organization to respond
to emergencies whenever they happen. Most of the first responders faced significant danger
because they were not aware of the impending attacks that were to follow. The first responders in
Saudi Red Crescent lack the family preparedness plan for their families (Saudi Red Crescent
Authority – IFRC, 2017). Hence, most of them and their families are prone to the uncertainty
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that occurs during emergencies. These individuals make up the first line of defense, and thus
they require enlightenment that provides the information on how to develop a family
preparedness plan.
First responders are more prone to stress and worry whenever they realize that they have
not created an emergency plan for their family, pets, and their homes (Management Association;
Information Resources, 2018). This situation, coupled with the witnessing of human suffering,
risk of personal harm, intense workload, making life and death decisions, and the thought of
separation from their families, can be traumatic for them. As a result, they may be subject to
making the wrong decisions at work, lacking concentration, and making the wrong calls
(Haddow, Bullock, and Coppola, 2010). This project should provide certainty and crucial
information for first responders and their families. Indeed, prior planning is of great importance
because it allows the first responders the space required to focus on public service with great
assurance and zeal.
The first responder who obtains insurance for their family and home stands a better
chance of working optimally as opposed to those who do not have such a plan (Management
Association; Information Resources, 2018). Developing a family communication plan is an
essential lesson for first responders since most of them do not have a plan to contact each other.
Most often, the first responder’s family may be in different locations at work, school, or even
within the city (Management Association; Information Resources, 2018). The family
preparedness plan allows the family members to develop a strategy on how they should
communicate with each other, seek rescue services, and an evacuation plan if needed (Haddow,
Bullock and Coppola, 2010). Individuals with practical training not only help their families but
also apply their skills to stop the prevalence of a particularly bad condition (Coppola & Maloney,
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2017). A family communication plan is a vital part of this program that enhances the safety and
continuity of the first responder. This education program should also train first responders about
how to make a family emergency supply kit. It prepares the family members on how they can
survive on their own for a certain period before they can get the necessary assistance. For
example, during an emergency, the family members need to know how to collect food, water,
and clothing supplies before they can be evacuated to a safer location.
A family preparedness plan program enables the first responders to feel at ease with their
family’s status and, most importantly, with themselves (Management Association; Information
Resources, 2018). Presence of the preparedness provides one with a personal sense of security,
peace of mind, and fulfillment. Hence, one can work undeterred. First responders’ performance
is based on knowing their family is safe before they focus on their jobs. This program aims at
ensuring a more resilient team of first responders at Red Crescent. The family preparedness plan
training is vital since it allows the first responders to give their job the priority instead of their
families in case of an emergency. It increases the efficiency in dealing with public hazards and
developing a strategy to respond to risks and other threats in their line of work.
Involving families in the program allows them to access vital information developed from
the first respondent to the entire family. Early family involvement enables them to stockpile the
required amount of food, water, and clothing and even secure the most valuable property. This
involvement will alleviate the first responder’s concerns from their families to their jobs. Family
involvement allows the first responder to feel confident and get an assurance of his family’s
safety in cases when issues become uncontrollable (Management Association; Information
Resources, 2018). This education program allows the first responders to deal with the impact of
family concerns and the ability of the responders to report faster to the scene of the disaster. The
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first responder will plan with their families and eliminate the fear that their family members may
be dead, injured, or unable to reach out to help during a disaster. First responders and their
families should benefit from this program because it guides on the way of developing an
emergency plan, identifying hazards, informing their families, preparing and implementing the
idea, and staying alert for emergency information.
Literature review
The world is full of uncertainties and unforeseen threats. Sometimes, chaos and
unimaginable uncertainty hits the society following natural disasters, shooters in malls, or
terrorist attacks. First responders are individuals, volunteers, organizations, and professionals
who are among the first people to respond to an emergency. Their main objective is to provide
the necessary assistance to affected parties during an emergency, either due to an accident, a
natural disaster, a terrorist attack (Haddow, Bullock and Coppola, 2010). First responders may
include paramedics, emergency medical professionals, police officers, firefighters, rescuers, and
volunteers from the general public. There is no doubt that first responders play a crucial role in
disaster preparedness and response.
A family emergency preparedness plan is, without a doubt- a valuable strategy for first
responders (Management Association; Information Resources, 2018). However, what is of more
significant concern is the lack of support for first responders from their parent organizations
(Haddow, Bullock and Coppola, 2010). First responders find it challenging to separate their
personal lives and their jobs. For example, they may have to choose between family and duty
during disasters. Such a situation creates an unhealthy dilemma that affects their morale and
concentration. The mental health of first responders is always under severe pressure during
FAMILY PREPAREDNESS PLAN
emergency times. Further, letting them worry about their family’s safety is a sure strategy to fail
on their part as most of them are likely to prioritize their family’s safety at the expense of their
essential jobs (Haddow, Bullock, and Coppola, 2010). The training program for first responders
aim at instilling knowledge and sensitize the first responders on another aspect of how disasters
affect their wellbeing, especially with their families on the line.
According to the research conducted by Management Association, first responders who
are frequently stressed, involved in threatening situations, and insufficiently connected to their
families have a high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. The children of first
responders are also more likely to experience high-stress levels whenever their parents attend
their jobs (Haddow, Bullock, and Coppola, 2010). These statistics show that the tie of first
responders to their family is stronger than the one existing between them and their job.
The effectiveness of this program will rely on the ability of the trainers passing vital
knowledge to the first responders in a way they can replicate the same information to their
families. Hence, information can be used to empower not only first responders but also their
families and the local community. The first responder needs to learn to acquire the information
so that the information can be passed on to their families. Past studies show that specialized
training and preparedness during disasters are vital as they enable individuals to be emotionally
ready for the realities that may be faced during disasters. Such studies include Ryu, Kim &
Andrew, (2019) and Clay, Goetschius, Papas, Trainor, Martins & Kendra (2019), among others.
Thus, better outcomes become more likely to be achieved (Haddow, Bullock, and Coppola,
2010). For the first responders, personal preparation is vital to their ability of performing on the
job. The effectiveness of their performance is directly determined by the preparation, including
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having a family preparedness plan that hence reduces the occurrence of stress during the work
(Management Association; Information Resources, 2018).
First responders and their families are therefore closely linked. Thus, for the organization
to get the best out of employees, it should gather information regarding their responsibilities and
abilities as family members. Also, to settle the first responder’s mind, it is vital to ensure that the
information is tailored for them and their families. First responders base their response speed on
the ability to train and rehearse in advance (First Responders, 2019). A training program is
therefore based on a similar strategy whereby the first responders are taken through a training
session that empowers them to make better decisions with regards to taking care of their families
during emergencies. One of the most important strategies is accessing a safe environment. It can
only be accessed if there is a plan in place, and everyone in the family knows the ways of
applying the plan.
The relationship between the first responders’ willingness to respond to emergencies and
concern for their families has been well documented. According to a recent study on Israeli
hospital personnel, emergency workers are more likely to turn up for work if their families are
safe in the first place (Healthcare workers’ willingness to respond following a disaster: a novel
statistical approach toward data analysis, 2019). Most of the responses showed that the family
wellbeing and the presence of a spouse and children were precise determinants of the need to
have a good plan just in case of anything when one went to work in an emergency setting. This
condition shows that most first responders are aware of the hazardous nature of their work, and
they are willing to develop a family preparedness plan for the safety and continuity of their
families (Scott, 2009).
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Indeed, a recent study at the University of Delaware proved this theory that first
responders are willing to respond during emergencies as long as they get some help with family
matters (Clay et al., 2019). Emergency planners must accept that the first responders are equally
affected by the emergency, and their absence from work may be caused if their regions face an
inevitable disaster. Thus organizations are increasingly under pressure to help first responders
with family matters so that they can focus on providing valuable service to the public. The main
reason the first responders may abandon duty to the public and focus on their families is that they
might be the victims themselves.
A similar incident occurred during Hurricane Katrina when the first responders became
victims hence rendering the response difficult due to the severe shortage of workforce (Lipton
and Schmitt, 2005). Some of the officers went missing during the hurricane and thus abandoned
their sacred duties. Therefore, the first responder may be distracted from doing their job because
of family concerns. This incident could not have occurred if there had been a family
preparedness plan. In a similar study in 2007, police officers in Washington admitted that their
family preparedness and overall safety is a crucial determinant of their performance in work. It
determined whether they would show up for duty or not in the event of a chemical or a biological
attack (FEMA – Emergency Management Institute (EMI) | National Preparedness Directorate
National Training and Education Division, 2018). According to the US Department of homeland
security, 66% of police officers admit that they would easily abandon their positions if the safety
of their family were at risk in the event of a disaster (US Department of Homeland Security,
2019). The officers showed that a family preparedness emergency plan could be useful in
ensuring the officer’s morale in turning up and giving their all during emergencies is achieved.
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They also showed that individual preparedness of a first responder is directly related to their
family preparedness by extension.
A family emergency preparedness plan cannot be successful if resilience is not
emphasized in the first responders. Mental preparation is directly associated with the successful
completion of missions during emergencies (Carrizales, 2014). First responders require optimal
mental wellbeing before going into a more stressful environment, such as in a disaster response
area. Large scale disasters require intense effort and focus on the part of first responders.
However, the threat exists when the responder has not created a plan for their family just in case
they are affected by the disaster. The lack of a plan is a recipe for disaster since the extra stress
inevitably increases the level of fatigue and thus causes the individual to fail to perform during
such operations. Such a problem can create workplace burnout, which is associated with low
performance and the lack of optimal coordination in such a sensitive exercise (Boyle, 2018). The
presence of a family preparedness plan allows the first responder to deal with workplace stress
alone but not family and workplace stress. It enhances better workplace performance, which is
associated with better public service.
One of the fundamentals of a family preparedness plan is to develop an emergency plan
together with their families. The plan allows the family members to participate in the creation of
an emergency supply kit, create a communication plan that is easy to use, and agree on a post
hazard meeting point (Carrizales, 2014). Therefore, working as a first responder comes with a
deep connection to the work and family. These dynamics affect the performance of the first
responder in so many ways. Working as a first responder requires a reliable family support
system made up of colleagues and the family unit. This support allows a healthy relationship that
ultimately reflects on the morale of the first responder.
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The importance of training has never been underestimated to boost the effectiveness of
the first responder operations. Training is a significant part of the first responder’s operation
manuals. Through proper training, it is possible to enhance their effectiveness in making prior
preparations for their families in advance. This program aims at teaching the Sau…
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