You must Plan and Prepare for disasters
Responsible people consider the possibilities for catastrophes and Plan and Prepare to avoid them or to minimize their impact. You have Auto and Home insurance, so why not have a little insurance against the avoidable consequences of an impending or sudden disastrous event.
In reality, if you have survived a wide-spread disaster which has overwhelmed first responders such as, Fire and Police, but you are not at Ground Zero or "the hot zone, no one is coming to help you, at least not immediately. Rescuers prioritize their initial response in order to help those who need it most. History tells us in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, if you survive and are not in a high priority area, YOYO (YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN).
You have survived; however, you may not have power, water or habitable shelter for the time being. BUT, if you planned and prepared to help yourself, you could most likely bridge the time it takes for help to arrive. That’s why you must Plan and Prepare to help yourself, and possibly others, for at least 72 hours (3 days) immediately after a disaster.
After understanding how a disaster may affect you, the question you need to ask yourself is “What can I do to help myself, my family, or others if we became the victims of a disastrous event? The answer is “Plan and Prepare”.
PLAN: The act of listing and documenting your actions in a disaster.
- Consider the likely disastrous events that may occur in your area.
- Consider what effects the event may have on you and what you need to protect yourself.
- Designate or create an appropriate shelter area at home or work if you decide to stay.
- Create an evacuation plan and all that it will entail if you need to leave the area.
- Create a communications list of the phone and contact numbers of those closest to you for accountability of family and friends in order to reduce stress.
- Designate an off-site location to call or meet if family members or others are separated.
PREPARE: The act of enacting your plan by making disaster kits, getting your shelter and automobile ready.
- Consider methods of how you would receive early warning of a disaster in your area; radio, TV, internet, etc.
- Make a disaster kit with the items necessary to survive at least 72 hours on your own.
- Prepare your auto with disaster equipment and supplies; maintain one-half tank of gas at all times.
- Designate at least two exits to evacuate from your home or workplace if needed.
