Disaster Preparedness Trainer Ana-Marie Jones Brings Positive Message to Oakridge

Nationally-Recognized Trainer Ana-Marie Jones kept the participants actively engaged for hours.

When most of us think about disaster preparation, we think about mass food storage and survival gear. But when it comes to your average disaster, knowing your neighbors and having a ‘MacGyver’ mindset is just as important. That was one of the messages that disaster preparedness trainer Ana-Marie Jones (aka ‘Ms. Duct Tape’) gave to a workshop in Oakridge last June. 30 people attended the workshop including community leaders, agency partners, nonprofit staff, and local public. Most of them were part of the Oakridge-Westfir Community Disaster Readiness Group (CDRG). The CDRG has been meeting since May 2023 to build skills that can help first responders with disaster response, and this training was a big first step. 

Ana-Marie's message questioned some ideas about being ready for disasters. Typically, when organizations talk about getting ready for disasters, they use fear to get people to listen. But Ana-Marie shared strong proof that we should try a different, more positive way. When we share messages that make people feel capable and connect with their neighbors, we make better plans that last a long time. When we're only scared, we might do something quickly, but then forget why it matters once the fear goes away. Being hopeful and positive isn't just a good idea; it's really important for making our future safer when a disaster happens.

Ana-Marie reintroduced disaster response concepts in a way that is easy to remember. One of the most important parts of coordinated emergency response is the Incident Command System (ICS). However, this system can seem confusing, boring, and not very useful to the average person. This training helped people understand how ICS can be used as effectively in setting up a neighborhood potluck as it can be after an earthquake. If volunteers know their roles and responsibilities, they can be useful without getting in the way of first responders.

The Readiness Group wants the public to know that disaster readiness training isn’t scary, and is something that anybody can do! Whatever skills you have, we need them. Everybody, no matter their level of expertise, has something they can contribute. Oakridge and Westfir have seen these ideas come out during disasters such as the 2019 winter storm. Planning ahead for the next disaster simply takes a little planning, a few meetings, and knowing your neighbor. The first step? Throw a party or just get to know each other.

The Community Disaster Readiness Group hopes to invite back Ana-Marie for a training next month. If you are interested in joining the CDRG, WE NEED YOU! We are currently recruiting neighborhood leaders and figuring out how to best use our members’ skills. Please Fill out This Form to sign up and to help first responders fill gaps when disaster strikes.