Prepare KY CSEPP

12/13/2025

Know Someone Who Needs to Warm Up? Click to Find Open Centers Statewide.

With extreme cold weather in Kentucky through Monday, Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) has activated our Kentucky Shelter & Warming Center Map.

This interactive map allows you to quickly find warming centers and emergency shelters in your community, including each facility’s open/closed status, address, and contact information.

Can't find a shelter or warming center in your county? Call 800.255.2587

How to Use the Map:
• Click the link to open the dashboard.
• Zoom in on your county or use the search bar to find your location.
• Select a shelter icon to view hours, status updates, and additional information.
o Green Bed = Open
o Red Flag = Closed

Stay weather-aware and check back often; locations and statuses may change as conditions evolve.

Access the map here: https://tinyurl.com/kyshelters

Please check on neighbors, older adults, and anyone who may need assistance during this extreme cold. Stay safe, Kentucky.

07/10/2025

Free Webinar: Effective Alerts and Warnings, featuring Jeannette Sutton, PhD, The Warn Room, LLC & The University at Albany.

In this webinar, participants will learn about the social science theory that informs the research on effective alerts and warnings; observe the Warning Response Model in practice as it is applied to historical warning messages; and identify strategies to increase message outcomes that lead to motivated behaviors. Public Information Officers with a role in emergency risk communication will gain a deeper understanding of the evidence that should guide alert and warning practices for all hazards.

Jeannette specializes in disaster and risk with a primary focus on public alerts and warnings disseminated via short messaging channels. Her current work centers on message design and testing across a range of hazards for communication via Wireless Emergency Alerts and other alerting channels. Most recently, she led the research, design, training, and implementation of the FEMA-IPAWS Message Design Dashboard where she and her team developed lexicons and workflows for 48 hazards, plus All Clear, and Missing Persons messages.

Register: https://loom.ly/-A0Vs_o

05/28/2025

Join Now: Webinar "From Audit to Action: Building a Five-Year Communication Plan"

Join Link: https://loom.ly/mBbwoNs
Meeting ID: 874 1863 3772
Password: 112862

Strategic planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or boring. Join seasoned PIO Jennifer Preston as she breaks down how to turn a communication audit into a roadmap for long-term success. Whether you’ve never conducted an audit or don’t know what to do with the results, this session will help you bridge the gap between day-to-day demands and big-picture goals. Learn how to set achievable five-year targets, gain leadership buy-in, and adapt your plan as your organization and community evolve. If you’re ready to move beyond reactive messaging and start building something sustainable, this webinar is for you.

05/14/2025

Registration is open for the next CSEPP-KYEM Wednesday Webinar ”From Audit to Action: Building a Five-Year Communication Plan” Wednesday, 28 May 2025, Virtual (Zoom), @ Noon EST

REGISTER: https://tinyurl.com/yc52xks7

Make sure you select the correct course from the drop down men to ensure you receive the Zoom Join Information. May 28, 2025, Webinar-Audit to Action, Virtual

Webinar Title: From Audit to Action: Building a Five-Year Communication Plan
Description: Strategic planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or boring. Join seasoned PIO Jennifer Preston as she breaks down how to turn a communication audit into a roadmap for long-term success. Whether you’ve never conducted an audit or don’t know what to do with the results, this session will help you bridge the gap between day-to-day demands and big-picture goals. Learn how to set achievable five-year targets, gain leadership buy-in, and adapt your plan as your organization and community evolve. If you’re ready to move beyond reactive messaging and start building something sustainable, this webinar is for you.

Featured Presenter: Jennifer Preston, Public Information Officer, Town of Collierville (TN)
Jennifer manages traditional and digital media, spearheaded the launch of the Town's website, and oversaw the creation of its first logo and branding strategy. Jennifer has managed emergency communications during critical events, including a ransomware attack, the pandemic, and a grocery store mass shooting. She is a West Tennessee native and holds a journalism degree from the University of Memphis.

05/02/2025

Did you miss the live webinar? Watch the recording!

Fork In The Road: Ten Decisions, Challenges and Opportunities for Disaster Communicators is now available to watch on our YouTube channel.

Description: When disaster strikes, you are there to make a difference – and you will be faced with decisions, challenges, and opportunities that will define success for you and the people you serve. In this session, Ed Conley will provide practical real-world perspectives on how to overcome setbacks, develop teams, respond compassionately, and serve with integrity. These practices are derived from years of working in the “eye of the storm” – from 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti Earthquake to Superstorm Sandy, and the Columbine School Shooting to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. As communicators, it is crucial that we are prepared to make decisions amid chaos, set operational priorities, and engage with the public in the most challenging scenarios imaginable.

Featured Presenter: Ed Conley, Author and retired FEMA Public Affairs Officer. Ed served nearly three decades with FEMA, leading teams around the globe in response to some of history's most significant disasters. He has also managed national incidents and international emergencies with the (US) Coast Guard, Secret Service, Centers for Disease Control, and Department of State. Appointed as a US Liaison Representative with NATO, Ed traveled throughout Europe on emergency preparedness assignments. Before joining FEMA, he spent seven winters on the National Ski Patrol. Ed is also a public speaker and the author of Promote the Dog Sitter: And Other Principles for Leading During Disasters. He resides in Seattle, Washington.

CSEPP-KYEM Wednesday Webinar Recording Date: Wednesday, 30 April 2025, Virtual (Zoom) Noon EST

For more information, contact: David Davis, CSEPP Public Information Officer, [email protected]; (502) 607-1049

All webinars will be archived on YouTube: https://loom.ly/6qwCcgs

Wednesday Webinar Series: The Wednesday Webinar Series was established to provide Public Information Officers (PIOs) and other communication related fields with virtual opportunities to address topic specific issues in quick 1-hour monthly webinars. Monthly topics and featured speakers will be selected and scheduled accordingly to help provide attendees with real-world application to the following: planning and developing a process with clearly defined procedures to gather and provide accurate, timely, and accessible information on an event as it approaches or as it has occurred.

https://loom.ly/Ln1rcaY

04/14/2025

Registration is open for the next CSEPP-KYEM Wednesday Webinar ”Fork In The Road: Ten Decisions, Challenges and Opportunities for Disaster Communicators” Wednesday, 30 April 2025, Virtual (Zoom), @ Noon EST

Webinar Title: Fork In The Road: Ten Decisions, Challenges and Opportunities for Disaster Communicators
Description: When disaster strikes, you are there to make a difference – and you will be faced with decisions, challenges, and opportunities that will define success for you and the people you serve. In this session, Ed Conley will provide practical real-world perspectives on how to overcome setbacks, develop teams, respond compassionately, and serve with integrity. These practices are derived from years of working in the “eye of the storm” – from 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti Earthquake to Superstorm Sandy, and the Columbine School Shooting to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. As communicators, it is crucial that we are prepared to make decisions amid chaos, set operational priorities, and engage with the public in the most challenging scenarios imaginable.

Featured Presenter: Ed Conley, Author and retired FEMA Public Affairs Officer
BIO: Ed served nearly three decades with FEMA, leading teams around the globe in response to some of history's most significant disasters. He has also managed national incidents and international emergencies with the (US) Coast Guard, Secret Service, Centers for Disease Control, and Department of State. Appointed as a US Liaison Representative with NATO, Ed traveled throughout Europe on emergency preparedness assignments. Before joining FEMA, he spent seven winters on the National Ski Patrol. Ed is also a public speaker and the author of Promote the Dog Sitter: And Other Principles for Leading During Disasters. He resides in Seattle, Washington.

For more information, contact: David Davis, CSEPP Public Information Officer, [email protected]; (502) 607-1049

Wednesday Webinar Series: The Wednesday Webinar Series was established to provide Public Information Officers (PIOs) and other communication related fields with virtual opportunities to address topic specific issues in quick 1-hour monthly webinars. Monthly topics and featured speakers will be selected and scheduled accordingly to help provide attendees with real-world application to the following: planning and developing a process with clearly defined procedures to gather and provide accurate, timely, and accessible information on an event as it approaches or as it has occurred. All webinars will be archived on YouTube: https://loom.ly/6qwCc

https://loom.ly/y5V5YKE

03/04/2025

03/04/2025

Always check the weather before heading out on the road and attempt to make alternate plans if severe weather is possible. If you are caught driving when a tornado warning is issued for the area, try and find a sturdy building to take shelter in, as soon as you are able to. Debris from tornadoes turns into deadly projectiles which causes injuries and deaths during tornadoes. Taking shelter quickly when a warning is issued remains critical to preventing casualties along with other protective measures such as laying low to the ground.

12/20/2024

10 Affordable Ways to Keep Warm This Winter

Over the last few weeks, cold weather has blanketed much of the country. Want to break the ice but not the bank? Discover 10 affordable ways to stay warm indoors and outdoors by visiting FEMA.gov. https://loom.ly/CyM0chk

12/19/2024

New Prepare with Pedro Storybook Helps Kids Prepare for Winter Storms

As we face the cold weather this winter season, are the children in your community ready and prepared? Let Pedro the penguin show them how to get prepared! Pedro is a penguin who loves learning about how he can be prepared and take action during an emergency to help stay safe.

The Prepare with Pedro Winter Storm Storybook is the latest in a series of storybook releases by FEMA and the American Red Cross that feature Pedro as he goes on adventures and learns how to take action in an emergency.

It is released in English and Spanish for children in kindergarten through second graders. This storybook follows Pedro the preparedness penguin as he navigates what to do before, during and after a winter storm.

You can download this storybook and others for free by visiting Ready.gov. https://loom.ly/DmbmJ6k

11/20/2024

Preparedness starts with knowledge, and there’s no better time to start building that knowledge than with our youth. FEMA (Region 9) is excited to launch a Youth Preparedness Toolkit, a resource designed to engage young people across elementary, junior high, and high school levels in understanding and practicing emergency readiness.

The Toolkit uses a Learn-Practice-Share model that connects age-appropriate activities with FEMA most significant hazards—like Extreme Heat, Floods, Severe Weather, and others. The toolkit empowers young people to take meaningful preparedness actions. Whether through games, community projects or leadership roles, each activity encourages youth to develop safety skills, think creatively and gain confidence in their ability to respond to emergencies.

Activities by Age Group:
• Elementary Students can dive into fun, hands-on projects like creating personalized emergency kits with the Prepare with Pedro and Rocket’s Emergency Preparedness programs, introducing them to safety basics.
• Junior High Students take a step further, engaging in community-focused activities such as Teen CERT, creating Family Communication Plans and even preparing emergency kits for pets.
• High School Students are encouraged to take on leadership through the Youth Preparedness Council, leading social media campaigns and organizing school-based preparedness clubs.

The Toolkit isn’t just about responding to disasters; it’s about building resilience and inspiring young leaders to take safety into their own hands. Ready to get started? Explore the toolkit and bring preparedness to life in your community by visiting, FEMA.gov. https://loom.ly/Awgwhvo

11/18/2024

FEMA Speaks Your Language

Don't let language be a barrier for you to apply for FEMA assistance. Regardless of language or accessibility needs, FEMA is here to help all eligible survivors of Hurricane Helene.

If you are a non-English speaker, you can receive assistance in your language when applying for FEMA disaster aid. Additionally, you can request assistive communication tools if needed.

Interpreters for many languages are available to those who call the FEMA Helpline. Multilingual phone operators are available to help non-English speaking survivors register for disaster aid and answer questions. After dialing the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362, callers should choose Option 2 for Spanish or Option 3 for other languages.

The Disaster Recovery Centers have a sign with the phrase “I Speak” in over 40 languages, which staff members can use to connect you with an interpreter who speaks your language.

Survivors can visit any Disaster Recovery Center to connect with American Sign Language interpreters by requesting one ahead of time or in real-time using Video Relay Services or Video Remote Interpreters. Assistive listening devices, amplified phones and caption phones for survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing are also available at the Disaster Recovery Centers.

Magnifying devices and printed information in Braille and large print are available for people who are blind or have low vision. https://loom.ly/aLSCsF4