The recent weather and geological events taking place around the globe, and the high probability of a zombie apocalypse (well maybe not that one), got us thinking more and more about emergency preparedness. What are the things we can do to be more prepared for the unexpected? Max Mayfield, the former Director of the National Hurricane Center said “Preparation through education is less costly than learning through tragedy” and that quote is a good summation of our feelings about emergency prep.
There is a great deal of “how to” information available so we won’t create just another laundry-list of tips and suggestions, instead here is four ideas from the FEMA website www.ready.gov
1. Be Informed – know what to do before, during and after an emergency
2. Make a Plan – Prepare, plan and stay informed
3. Build a Kit – Basics include water, food, batteries, flashlight, first aid kit, etc.
4. Get Involved – finding opportunities to support your community prep makes you all the more prepared
For more complete information and suggestions for building your kit visit www.ready.gov.
Why is preparation so important? Consider these examples, after Hurricane Katrina it took 8+ days to restore some basic services. Supply lines were so badly compromised that emergency response teams ran low on supplies, including fuel for portable generators further complicating recovery efforts. In Japan, after the earthquake access to electricity was impossible and keeping communication tools charged became a distraction to recovery, as officials and citizens scrambled to find alternatives. In Haiti, years removed from the major earthquake that devastated the island, there are still large portions of the island and population that are without reliable electricity or electricity at all. These examples drive home the impact of emergences, even in industrialized countries, and the importance of being ready for anything. Even zombies!
Share your ideas for what you want in your emergency kit, what are some steps you are taking or have taken to be prepared?
