Quick Guide

This is the quick guide to the Red Road Community Emergency Plan – Part 1 [Part 1 is the community section; Parts 2 & 3 are for community response volunteers.

Red Road Community Emergency Response Plan

 

Prepared by and for shoreline communities along Hwy 137 (“The Red Road”). Intended to serve as a a guide for preparation, response, and recovery. It was created by community volunteers who identified risks specific to our area, mapped people and places needing extra assistance and then compiled essential supplies and resources.

 

This is a living document – updated as we learn together.

 

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 Why We Need a Plan

  • We live in a vulnerable coastal area.
  • Disasters we face: tropical storms, tsunamis, lava flows.
  • Outside help may take 14+ days to reach us.
  • Power, water, and communication may be down for weeks.
  • We must be ready to take care of ourselves and each other.

 

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How the Plan Works

  • For Everyone → What each household needs to do. (Part 1)
  • For Volunteers → How to step into community roles. (Part 2)
  • For Disaster Response Volunteers → The procedures/forms needed (Part 3)

 

👉 Your first responsibility is your own household’s safety.

 

             Key Terms

  • Go Bag → A ready-to-carry bag with food, water, meds, flashlight, radio, cash, docs.                                     
  • Evacuation → Leaving the area for safety.
  • Stay-in-Place → Staying home with at least 14 days of supplies.
  • Civil Defense (CD) → County agency leading emergency response.
  • Emergency Command Group (ECG) → Local volunteers organizing response until help arrives.
  •  Local Hub → a community or neighborhood gathering point to plan localized disaster preparation and response
  • Specialized Response Hub → a hub offering a range of response services to all (e.g., communications, planning, resource distribution, triage and information). Location determined by post-impact survey of facility condition and road access.

 

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 Phases of Disaster

  1. Blue Skies (Preparation) – Make plans, gather supplies, strengthen homes.
  2. Anticipatory (Warning) – Get ready, refresh go bags, decide stay or evacuate.
  3. Impact (During Event) – Stay safe, protect yourself and family.
  4. Response (After Event) – Check in, help neighbors, clear roads, share info.
  5. Recovery (Long-Term) – Rebuild homes, support community, care for the ʻāina.

 

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 What To Do in Each Phase

 

🌞 Blue Skies (Preparation = Normal Times)

 

At Home

  • Stock 14+ days food, water, and medicine.
  • Build go bags for each family member + pets.
  • Store cash, copies of important documents.
  • Secure house: tie-downs, storm shutters, safe propane + fuel storage.
  • Keep communication tools: hand-crank or solar radio, backup power.

 

With Neighbors

  • Exchange phone/email/radio contacts.
  • Identify kupuna, keiki, and anyone who needs extra support.
  • Make a resource map: who has tools, skills, generators, medical training.

 

With Community

  • Support or join the disaster response team.
  • Train in first aid, CPR, chainsaw safety, radio ops.
  • Stay informed via Civil Defense alerts + Hawai‘i Tracker.

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🌺 Anticipatory Phase (Warning Signs)

 

When an alert is issued (storm, lava, tsunami):

 

            At Home

  • Charge devices, fill gas tanks, fill water containers.
  • Refresh go bags: meds, cash, food, documents.
  • Decide: evacuate or stay? Follow county evacuation orders.
  • Secure outdoor items, protect windows, store extra fuel safely.

 

            With Neighbors

  • Check in with vulnerable households.
  • Share info (alerts, evacuation routes).
  • Offer rides or safe shelter if needed.

 

            With Community

  • ECG undertakes pre-activation (checking resources)
  • Confirm roles: medical, search & rescue, logistics, comms.
  • Prep community kitchens, water collection, fuel, and first aid.

 

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🌊 Impact Phase (During the Event)

 

Stay safe, stay calm.

 

            At Home

  • Shelter in a safe place away from windows.
  • Use battery or solar radio for updates.
  • Conserve food, water, and batteries.
  • Stay put unless evacuation becomes necessary.

 

            With Neighbors

  • Only help if it is safe to do so.
  • Keep radios or agreed signals (whistles, bells) ready.

 

            With Community

  • ECG remains sheltered and tracks conditions.
  • No movement unless essential.

 

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🌱 Response Phase (Immediately After)

 

First 72 hours are critical.

 

At Home

  • Check safety of your family.
  • Treat injuries with your first aid kit.
  • Use food and water wisely.

 

With Neighbors

  • Check in: Are you safe? Do you need help?
  • Organize quick teams for road clearing, debris removal.
  • Share critical supplies if neighbors are in danger.

 

With Community

  • ECG sets up at a specialized response hub.
  • Post community updates on boards or radios.
  • Organize volunteers for:
  • Medical aid (triage/first aid station)
  • Food & water distribution
  • Search & rescue for missing or trapped people
  • Communication team to relay info to Civil Defense

 

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🌿 Recovery Phase (Long-Term)

 

Rebuilding together.