Other Projects
Project on Crisis Communication with Vulnerable Individuals
As our country witnessed in the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, those with a variety of physical, mental, social, or economic conditions can suffer life-threatening disadvantages during disasters and emergencies.
In order to plan effective emergency preparation and assistance for vulnerable individuals in our region, BCBOHA is working with social service organizations throughout the county to create a proactive cooperative approach to crisis communication.
With funding support from the Western Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC), we are launching several key initiatives:
In order to plan effective emergency preparation and assistance for vulnerable individuals in our region, BCBOHA is working with social service organizations throughout the county to create a proactive cooperative approach to crisis communication.
With funding support from the Western Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC), we are launching several key initiatives:
Berkshire Leadership Forum on Crisis Communication
In January 2008, representatives from more than 20 organizations serving vulnerable individuals participated in the Berkshire Leadership Forum on Crisis Communication. The Forum reviewed current preparedness planning in the region along with our connections to state and federal programs. It also assessed some of the challenges that we face in organizing effective emergency communication.
In January 2008, representatives from more than 20 organizations serving vulnerable individuals participated in the Berkshire Leadership Forum on Crisis Communication. The Forum reviewed current preparedness planning in the region along with our connections to state and federal programs. It also assessed some of the challenges that we face in organizing effective emergency communication.
Berkshire Emergency Communication Directory
Most emergency communication messages are issued through mass media outlets. Emergency preparedness and response professionals often do not have the tools and information to communicate appropriately with people who lack access to, don.t/can.t use, or don.t trust those information sources. In addition, community organizations and service agencies have significant skills and resources that currently are not linked to emergency responders.
The Berkshire Emergency Communication Directory will provide a formal link that will significantly improve our collective ability to respond to disasters and reduce impacts on the most vulnerable groups, while fully protecting individual privacy. It will include information on appropriate staff members to contact on a 24/7 basis at organizations working with vulnerable individuals. Each agency would then follow-up, as needed, with the individuals it serves who require specific assistance in an emergency.
Most emergency communication messages are issued through mass media outlets. Emergency preparedness and response professionals often do not have the tools and information to communicate appropriately with people who lack access to, don.t/can.t use, or don.t trust those information sources. In addition, community organizations and service agencies have significant skills and resources that currently are not linked to emergency responders.
The Berkshire Emergency Communication Directory will provide a formal link that will significantly improve our collective ability to respond to disasters and reduce impacts on the most vulnerable groups, while fully protecting individual privacy. It will include information on appropriate staff members to contact on a 24/7 basis at organizations working with vulnerable individuals. Each agency would then follow-up, as needed, with the individuals it serves who require specific assistance in an emergency.
Berkshire Leadership Council on Crisis Communication
A number of leading social service organizations in the Berkshires have volunteered to participate in the Berkshire Leadership Council on Crisis Communication. They will help advise BCBOHA in creating the Berkshire Emergency Communication Directory and other initiatives to improve crisis communication with vulnerable individuals.
Please check the BCBOHA website for updates on this project. For more information, contact: Vivian Orlowski, Public Health Emergency Planner, email Vivian
A number of leading social service organizations in the Berkshires have volunteered to participate in the Berkshire Leadership Council on Crisis Communication. They will help advise BCBOHA in creating the Berkshire Emergency Communication Directory and other initiatives to improve crisis communication with vulnerable individuals.
Please check the BCBOHA website for updates on this project. For more information, contact: Vivian Orlowski, Public Health Emergency Planner, email Vivian
High Speed Internet Grant
Grant funds from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health were made available to regional Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coalitions across the state to purchase high speed internet access for Board of Health offices located in areas without access to cable television broadband or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service. The four Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coalitions in western Massachusetts (including the Berkshire County Boards of Health Association) worked cooperatively to implement this effort. Twenty-nine town halls, nine of which are located in Berkshire County, were identified to receive a full data internet T-1 for a period of 12 months in a Request For Proposals (RFP) issued over the summer. The results of the RFP process awarded contracts to provide these services to two vendors for three sub-regions. The T-1 lines are expected to be connected to the selected Board of Health offices by early 2006.
