Neighborhood & Faith Organizations

As a neighborhood or faith leader, you can help your community members prepare for emergencies.

Spread the word

Before, during, and after an emergency, help disseminate information to people in your network. Go door-to-door, talk to people at your church, use social media. As a community leader, you are a trusted voice. Sign up for emergency alerts and preparedness information from NOLA Ready so that you stay in the know. Have members or neighbors who are elderly or have medical or mobility needs? Help them create a profile in Smart911 and keep their medical info up to date.

Control rumors

False information can be dangerous during an emergency. Help people in your networks understand what is and is not accurate. Ready.nola.gov and 3-1-1 are your trusted sources for information from the City of New Orleans.

Link people & resources

After an emergency, volunteers and donations tend to flow in. Help coordinate with volunteer organizations to ensure resources are getting to those who need them, because you know your community best.

Get emergency training

Consider additional training like active shooter preparedness, hand only CPR, stop the bleed, or Community Emergency Response Training. You can gain additional skills to respond to an emergency in your community. Request a training from NOLA Ready.

Improve your organization's emergency preparedness with these resources.

Learn about hazards and what to do

Read about natural & man-made emergencies that could happen in New Orleans.

Make emergency plans

Make a plan to respond to emergency scenarios that could happen at your house of worship.

FEMA's Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship offers a broad overview of what to consider in your emergency operations plan.
The NOLA Ready Business Continuity Guide covers locally specific information, like evacuation planning, re-entry, and insurance considerations.
New FEMA rules mean houses of worship and non-profit organizations might be eligible for public assistance after a disaster. See GOHSEP's presentation on the new policy.
See more: FEMA's Resources to Protect Your House of Worship

Improve your facility's security

Houses of worship and community organizations have sadly been targets of mass shootings and acts of terrorism across the country. Learn how to improve your organization's safety and security.

Request a free active shooter preparedness training from NOLA Ready staff
Request a free security assessment of your house of worship from the Department of Homeland Security
Apply for funds to increase security and harden your facility (usually available annually).
Install a SafeCam Platinum security camera and connect to the 24/7 Real-Time Crime Center.

Connect with the NOLA Ready team

We'd love to work directly with your house of worship or your community organization. Please contact us at ready@nola.gov.