Disasters
Disasters can come in many forms, and preparation for possible events and planning for post-event recovery is important. Floods, thunderstorms and lightning, tornadoes, winter storms, landslides, fires and wildfires, hazardous material spills, heat or cold waves, and terrorism are the most well-known possibilities. Disasters can also affect adults and children in many ways other than physical damage—the memories of a disaster can last a lifetime.
The Extension Diaster Deducation Network (EDEN)
The Extension Disaster Education Network is a collaborative multi-state effort by Extension Services across the country to improve the delivery of services to citizens affected by disasters.
This site serves primarily Extension agents and educators by providing them access to resources on disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery that will enhance their short- and long-term programming efforts. It includes a password-protected “Intranet” section, where internal working documents are shared among the delegates. Learn more about the Cooperative Extension System.
Mission
The mission of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) is to share education resources to reduce the impact of natural and man-made disasters:
This mission is carried out through:
- Interdisciplinary and multi-state research and education programs addressing disaster mitigation, preparation, response and recovery;
- Linkages with federal state and local agencies and organizations;
- Anticipation of future disaster education needs and actions;
- Timely and prompt communications and delivery of information that meets audience needs;
- Credible and reliable information
For material on a variety of possible disaster scenarios, you can visit the West Virginia Disaster and Emergency Management Resource Manual – This is an old site with limited connections, however the PDF Fact Sheets at the bottom of the page are useful.
By design, disasters that are most prevalent in West Virginia, such as floods and winter storms, are featured. On the other hand, certain types of disaster events that have limited consequences in West Virginia, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, are not included. The final sections are devoted to disaster recovery activities in the home and on property impacted by a disaster.
See Disaster and Emergency Management Resources – The purpose of this Web site is to provide links to a variety of resources to help West Virginians prepare for the unexpected or to respond and recover from a disaster or emergency event. This includes both natural and man-made disasters as well as the threat of terrorism and animal or human disease outbreaks. Emergency topics range from Home and Family to Agricultural and Rural Emergencies. This too is a dated site that is will be taken offline.
Suggest an event for inclusion on the Extension calendar
See also:
Preparing for an Emergency – WVU National Environmental Services Center information site.
OSHA 5600 Disaster Site Worker Train-the-Trainer Course
West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
