Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM) are joining with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to promote a national campaign encouraging Americans to make plans and learn about the resources they can use to prepare for natural or terror-related emergencies.
The campaign will run through September, which is National Preparedness Month. With more than 57 million Americans living in association-governed communities, CAI believes it is essential that this preparedness message reach residents in homeowner and condominium associations, cooperatives and other planned communities.
CAI and NBC-CAM encourage homeowners and management professionals to visit the DHS website at www.ready.gov. In addition to planning guides and an instructional video, the website has disaster preparedness materials that can be downloaded and distributed throughout communities and organizations.
The government's message to Americans is clear: "We must have the tools and plans in place to make it on our own, at least for a period of time, no matter where we are when disaster strikes. Just like having a working smoke detector, preparing for the unexpected makes sense." DHS is encouraging Americans to obtain emergency supply kits, make family emergency plans and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could affect them.
CAI has developed several publications that can help individuals and communities prepare for emergencies, natural or man made. Rather than reacting to a crisis, CAI urges homeowner and condominium associations and cooperatives to be proactive and prepared for the worst. Before Disaster Strikes, Disaster Management, and Risk Management can help communities develop action plans. More information is available at www.caisecure.net.
"It's shortsighted in today's world to be unprepared for a major crisis, whether it's natural or manmade," says CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. "We are working with the Department of Homeland Security because there is no substitute for preparedness. The upcoming fifth anniversary of 9-11 and the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, not to mention other hurricanes, wild fires and floods, are all the reminders we need."
"We strongly encourage community managers and other association leaders to take this important preparedness message to their residents," adds NBC-CAM Executive Director and CAI Senior Vice President Dawn Bauman, CAE. "It's not only the prudent thing to do, but it could turn out to be the most important task you ever perform."
CAI is a national membership organization dedicated to helping homeowner and condominium associations meet the expectations of their residents. CAI's 28,000-plus members include community managers, volunteer homeowner leaders and businesses and professionals who support associations.
NBC-CAM administers the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) program, a professional certification designed to ensure that community managers have the fundamental knowledge and expertise necessary to effectively manage homeowner and condominium associations and cooperatives.