In January, we marked the 321st anniversary of the last full-rip 9.0 Cascadia earthquake. In March, we note the 20th anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake. Even though we live in earthquake country, we aren’t ready for a significant event. Will we ever be?

Is getting people to prepare an impossible pipe dream or a worthy goal? Why is it so difficult? Are Emergency Managers the right people to carry the preparedness message? If not, why not? If not, who is?

This class will use research from applied behavioral science, the principles of adult education, and findings from marketing efforts to shed light on how emergency
managers can better target the time they spend on preparedness, leading to better results. We’ll explore ways emergency managers can evaluate their particular
situation to determine where/how they can increase the effectiveness of their preparedness programs.

The class examines the key errors in thinking that prevent people from getting prepared, as well as the one element that can be most effectively leveraged to get people to take action. Using brief content delivery modules, followed by interactive small group exercises, the class provides a platform for continuing conversations among class participants on what is working and not working in their preparedness efforts. If desired, students may schedule a one-hour consultation after the class on a preparedness topic chosen by the student.

More information to follow. Proceeds will go to the Jamye Wisecup Scholarship at:
https://pencol.edu/foundation/give

About the Author: Deb Moller

Deb Moller is the former public-private partnerships manager at the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. She is a senior fellow at the Center of Excellence, Homeland Security -Emergency Management. As principal of Moller Consulting, Deb has over ten years of experience assisting local, state, federal and tribal governments, as well as private profit and not-for-profit organizations, achieve performance goals. Deb’s experience includes twenty years designing and managing adult education and job training programs for marginalized populations. She holds an M.A. in applied behavioral science from Bastyr University. She is the founder of Cascadia Calling, a community based earthquake preparedness organization.