If disaster strikes, do you know what to do or where to go? Are you aware what campus resources are available to help? UNL aims to promote emergency preparedness in the minds of faculty, staff, students and campus visitors through campus participation in a pair of awareness events this month.

The campus happenings – an April 7 Twitter chat and a “ReadyCampus” event geared toward student involvement on April 10 – are part of America’s PreparAthon, a nationwide, community-based campaign to increase emergency preparedness through drills, group discussions and other exercises. UNL is partnering with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to participate in and host the events.

“Emergency preparedness is so important for all of us, but especially the student population,” said Veronica Riepe, director of student involvement at UNL. “Events such as this create awareness that allow our students to plan ahead and be prepared, not only when they are living in Lincoln, but anywhere.”

The April 7 Twitter chat will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Those interested can join @UNLinvolved, @NEMAtweets, @FEMARegion7 and others during a live disaster-preparedness and awareness discussion.

Participants will learn how local, state and federal agencies support communities before, during and after emergencies. They also will learn how to best use social media during emergencies. Follow the discussion and participate using the hashtag #ReadyUNL. Non-Twitter users can follow the discussion at http://go.unl.edu/pujp.

The April 10 “ReadyCampus” event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nebraska Union. Participants will be able to:

• Learn about programs and resources available to them for emergency preparedness and discover opportunities for student involvement;
• Walk through a mock POD, or Point of Distribution — which, in the event of a disaster, might deliver food, medicine and other critical supplies; and
• Learn from FEMA representatives about the fastest and best ways to use social media to find disaster-related updates and connect with loved ones during emergencies.

For more information on America’s PreparAthon, go to http://1.usa.gov/1jxiCS7. For more information on participating in emergency planning on campus, visit http://emergency.unl.edu or contact UNL Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Mark Robertson at 402-472-2222 or mrobertson5@unl.edu.