Preparation is a Potent Antidote to Danger
September 2, 2010 at 9:34 pm By Roz PotterEveryday life fulfills our most basic expectations. Lights go on. Store shelves are stocked. Banks open. Water is safe to drink. Medical, nursing, fire, and law enforcement personnel respond to emergencies.
But what if one day, the lights don’t work? Food, medicine, and gasoline deliveries stop. Banks and ATMs are closed. Water supplies are disrupted. There aren’t enough responders.
Whether from another Katrina-like climate disaster, a massive earthquake, a nuclear terrorist attack, or widespread electrical grid failure, it takes only one event of sufficient magnitude to transport us from lives of comfort and convenience to stressed-out survivors in need of food, shelter, sanitation, clean water and urgent medical attention.
These are clear possibilities from past events: the 1906 San Francisco, 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge quakes in California and more lethal quakes in Haiti, China, Turkey, Indonesia and elsewhere; 9/11; Chernobyl and Three Mile Island nuclear incidents; Hurricanes Katrina, and Andrew; the Indonesian tsunami. Other long-forgotten catastrophes should be considered. One such event occurred in September, 1900. A hurricane and storm surge that converged with high tide in Galveston, Texas, killed more than 6,000 people, placing it among worst natural disasters in the Nation’s history. And there is nothing to stop such an event from happening again.
An unrelenting hum of destruction is felt around the world: Volcanoes and wars erupt; massive floods and droughts sweep the land; hurricanes and tornadoes level large areas; epidemics and pandemics emerge and spread; massive pollution fouls the air, earth and waters; ecosystems and habitats are lost; earthquakes spawn ruin; and terrorists destroy. As we consider disaster preparedness, which of these do we heed and in what manner?
Each area has local vulnerabilities for which preparation is essential, whether for floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, industrial accidents, fires, or some combination. But there are many other catastrophic events that deserve a place in the public consciousness and preparedness activities. These include another devastating (nuclear, cyber?) attack by terrorists, a severe pandemic, extreme climate or atmospheric convulsion, or a massive electrical grid failure – all would bring an abrupt end to life as we know it, possibly for extended periods. Preparedness cannot save us all from the most destructive events. But planning, preparation and knowledge can greatly reduce risks, stress, suffering, and loss of life and property, for a variety of threats.
Everyone who has health, homeowners, or auto insurance or wears seatbelts or helmets is already preparing for an emergency. But the sheer scale of some calamities assures that neither insurance compensation, nor any hope of adequate government protection or provisions will be forthcoming. These are the disasters that can place you, your household, neighbors and community, utterly on your own for hours, days or even weeks.
September is Preparedness Month. Now, before disaster strikes, seize a portion of each weekend for a preparedness activity. Involve your family. Develop a family disaster/communication/evacuation plan so each household member will know what to do if you’re separated at the time of the disaster and communications are cut off or roads impassable. Involve every person named in your plan as well as friends, family members, neighbors and others in your community. Remember that preparedness requires information and knowledge, as well as plans and supplies.
Stock at least a 7 day supply of water, 1 gallon per day for each family member and pet. Purchase familiar non-perishable food items to store in your disaster stockpile. Include a manual can opener and other tools. Assemble or purchase a first-rate first aid kit, and add a first aid book. Stock at least a one to two week supply of all essential medications and vitamins and a two week supply of cash and coins. Don’t forget a battery operated radio, flashlights, headlights, light sticks and other alternative light, heat and cooking sources plus extra fuel or batteries for each, comfort as well as recreational items such as card and board games. Also, supplies for infants and others with special needs. A mini version of your stockpile, a “go” bag with 3 days of provisions should be packed for each family member, for home, school and work, and even for pets.
And if you can, set aside one weekend day this month for an home-based exercise. Purchase a single one gallon bottle of water for each family member and pet, place a family member’s name on each and request that any water use, whether for drinking, cooking, or hygiene, be limited to that one gallon for a 24 hour period. For more adventurous souls, make all electrical use off-limits for at least 12 hours. That means no TV, appliances, stereo, lights, or computers. At the end of the exercise, ask family members if they would be willing to assist with development of disaster, communication and evacuation plans for your household. You’re likely to have some takers.
For advice on preparedness visit www.ready.gov, www.ready.gov, www.cdc.gov, or www.72hours.org. You may also want to visit this website’s ”Resources” page for an extensive listing of sources for emergency and disaster information.
If it doesn’t look as though disaster preparedness will make it to the top of September’s to-do list, another chance awaits. On Saturday, October 2, 2010 Defying Disaster is underwriting two preparedness workshops at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Napa. See today’s post titled “Get Your Family Ready: A Disaster Preparedness Day with 2 Workshops”, for more information. Or, submit an inquiry using the form on the Contact page of this website.
Of Note