"All I need is a 72 hour hit with a flashlight, first aid kit, some food and water, and a radio"
The 72 hour figure is a good minimum but in some situations may not be realistic. A more practical goal is to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 2 weeks. Why 2 weeks? As bad a Katrina was, there are numerous disaster and terrorism scenarios that could see substantially more damage and a disruption of local service for several weeks. Also, many biological scenarios may see a 2-week quarantine. Regarding supplies and equipment, be sure to customize your kit to your family's uniques needs.
Showing posts with label Katrina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katrina. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Cost of being unprepared
I'm finding it difficult to convince individuals and families of the importance of being prepared in advance for a disaster. This is especially difficult during the summer months when the weather is nice, school is out and vacations are planned.
Oregon has been fortunate that we haven't had many terrible disasters, but that is no reason to be apathetic to the dangers and possibilities. Just because you haven't had a house fire doesn't mean you would go without a smoke detector, does it?
I am so passionate about this because I spent six years with FEMA traveling from disaster to disaster all over the country. I have SEEN the unprepared. I have talked to them while they are crying. I spoke to one woman on the phone in Mississippi who was in terrible need but no one could get to her because all road and bridges were destroyed and we were out of helicopters. She wasn't prepared to take care of herself for even a few days.
No matter what you may think of or hear about FEMA as an agency, just remember that those on the ground were doing the best they could with what they were given. The first responders have to prioritize. There are not enough of them to go around. If you can take care of yourself and your family for at least 3 days (72 hours) or more, not only will you be more comfortable, but you will really help your community by not being a burden. The 911 call centers will be overrun, possible down. Power may be out, cell phone too. Please take this small step and get a kit together of the most necessary items and put them in one place.
If you are like me and busy and/or too lazy (me again) to make a kit, order one online. There are many companies out there. Google emergency kits. I have ordered from www.quakedog.com/emergencykits72 and have found their kits to be reasonable and well made.
I could and may tell you many stories about my years with FEMA if it is the only way to get you to understand. There is the possibility here of earthquakes, thunderstorms, floods, chemical spills, terrorist attacks, school shooting, bombings, snow storms, tsunamis, fires, and more. Don't think that just because we haven't had some in the past, we won't have them in the future. Our Katrina is coming. Please be prepared.
Oregon has been fortunate that we haven't had many terrible disasters, but that is no reason to be apathetic to the dangers and possibilities. Just because you haven't had a house fire doesn't mean you would go without a smoke detector, does it?
I am so passionate about this because I spent six years with FEMA traveling from disaster to disaster all over the country. I have SEEN the unprepared. I have talked to them while they are crying. I spoke to one woman on the phone in Mississippi who was in terrible need but no one could get to her because all road and bridges were destroyed and we were out of helicopters. She wasn't prepared to take care of herself for even a few days.
No matter what you may think of or hear about FEMA as an agency, just remember that those on the ground were doing the best they could with what they were given. The first responders have to prioritize. There are not enough of them to go around. If you can take care of yourself and your family for at least 3 days (72 hours) or more, not only will you be more comfortable, but you will really help your community by not being a burden. The 911 call centers will be overrun, possible down. Power may be out, cell phone too. Please take this small step and get a kit together of the most necessary items and put them in one place.
If you are like me and busy and/or too lazy (me again) to make a kit, order one online. There are many companies out there. Google emergency kits. I have ordered from www.quakedog.com/emergencykits72 and have found their kits to be reasonable and well made.
I could and may tell you many stories about my years with FEMA if it is the only way to get you to understand. There is the possibility here of earthquakes, thunderstorms, floods, chemical spills, terrorist attacks, school shooting, bombings, snow storms, tsunamis, fires, and more. Don't think that just because we haven't had some in the past, we won't have them in the future. Our Katrina is coming. Please be prepared.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Plan to take care of yourself after crisis
May 13, 2009
First responders might not have access to areas.
In Emergency Management, we commonly talk about two phases of a disaster. Phase 1 is response and phase 2 is recovery. I would like to break it down ever further.
Phase 1 begins with you responding and taking care of yourself. You are your own first responder. It is commonly suggested that you be able to care for yourself for at least 72 hours, but two weeks would be even better because truthfully, we don't know when the firefighters, police, ambulance and other "first responders" will be able to get to you.
During Hurricane Katrina, I took a turn manning the public emergency phone line in Mississippi. I received a call from a town asking when help was going to arrive. The town was completely blocked off by debris, hot electrical wires, downed bridges and ruined roads. It was impossible to get there any way but by air. Mississippi at that time only had access to five helicopters. They had to pull two back from rescuing folks off their roofs. They got to the town as soon as they could. Those people had to be their own first responders.
I hate to make it sound like you are on your own, but in the beginning … you are on your own. Your local public safety agencies will get to you as soon as possible. They will be swamped with requests for assistance. The more self-sufficient you can be, the more you will help your community.
So really there are three phases: 1. Personal responsibility 2. Response by trained personnel 3. Recovery
Be ready. Be self-sufficient. A complete list of recommended emergency kit items is posted on the Oregon Emergency Management Blog http://oem-oregon.blogspot.com.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of FEMA, is the Public Affairs Coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294 or jbailey@oem.state.or.us.Additional Facts
Learn more
Please send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon.gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov
First responders might not have access to areas.
In Emergency Management, we commonly talk about two phases of a disaster. Phase 1 is response and phase 2 is recovery. I would like to break it down ever further.
Phase 1 begins with you responding and taking care of yourself. You are your own first responder. It is commonly suggested that you be able to care for yourself for at least 72 hours, but two weeks would be even better because truthfully, we don't know when the firefighters, police, ambulance and other "first responders" will be able to get to you.
During Hurricane Katrina, I took a turn manning the public emergency phone line in Mississippi. I received a call from a town asking when help was going to arrive. The town was completely blocked off by debris, hot electrical wires, downed bridges and ruined roads. It was impossible to get there any way but by air. Mississippi at that time only had access to five helicopters. They had to pull two back from rescuing folks off their roofs. They got to the town as soon as they could. Those people had to be their own first responders.
I hate to make it sound like you are on your own, but in the beginning … you are on your own. Your local public safety agencies will get to you as soon as possible. They will be swamped with requests for assistance. The more self-sufficient you can be, the more you will help your community.
So really there are three phases: 1. Personal responsibility 2. Response by trained personnel 3. Recovery
Be ready. Be self-sufficient. A complete list of recommended emergency kit items is posted on the Oregon Emergency Management Blog http://oem-oregon.blogspot.com.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of FEMA, is the Public Affairs Coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294 or jbailey@oem.state.or.us.Additional Facts
Learn more
Please send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon.gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov
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