If individuals and their neighborhoods are prepared to mutually assist each other during these critical hours, lives can be saved, property can be spared, and emergency services can be freed to respond to the most devastated areas. Utilizing the skills and knowledge the neighborhood currently possesses. A city whose population is prepared at home will see a significant reduction in the need for police, fire, and ambulance support. Virtually every major disaster proves that police, fire, and other emergency support agencies are not available to many people during the first 72 hours of a disaster. Consequently, neighborhoods must be prepared to care for themselves for these critical three days.
Prepared neighborhoods know what to do.
Right now, they do not waste precious time figuring out who can do what. They use this time to save a life, reduce the severity of an injury, and lessen property damage. Damage Assessment - assesses the damage the block has sustained, reports their findings to the Communications Team, and assists their neighbors with the documentation of any damage. First Aid - establishes a Neighborhood First Aid Station, and provides basic first aid. Each of these teams has a simple one-page task description that clearly outlines the responsibilities of that team when responding to disasters.