Betsy Shand

As  a nationally published author on Surviving Natural Disasters and Man-Made disasters I am often asked at presentations, “what more can I do to get myself and my neighbors ready”? If there is one point that I like to emphasize beyond the basic survival list, it is planning on a variety of different communication methods for before, during and after a disaster. I highly recommend getting on-line to sites like this one and blogs to see what is being said and how to access this info. I also recommend that neighbors create a google groups list of folks on their blocks or streets in their neighborhoods. Also establish google groups floor by floor for condo buildings so that people can check on each other through social media. Another great idea might be to establish hashtags for your neighborhood, condo or community to use to set up emergency plans that you can share. I highly recommend that everyone get on Twitter to see how it works and that younger friends or family members  help elder residents connect to Facebook so that they can communicate to out of the area family in disaster. No matter where you are going today, there is someone who can access Twitter or facebook – even in a disaster!! Be the one!! I give more extensive details in my book about what you can do with social media before, during and after a disaster.