Do You Have Everything Prepared?™
Do You Have Everything Prepared?™
A newsletter for those who want be prepared for emergencies.
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It was August 11, 1999. I was in my cubicle and heard a bunch of people talking. I wondered what was going on so I got up to see what was happening. A group of people had gathered at the window and were watching something. As I looked out the window, I saw a a whirling mass of debris. I immediately said, "It's a tornado!" but, a couple of people responded saying, "We don't get tornados here."
The F2 tornado ripped through the city in just a few minutes, but it caused hours of delays. A couple of hours after the tornado had passed, the company allowed us to go home. My 45 minute drive took over 3 hours. As I drove through the streets, I noticed destruction everywhere. I was lucky. I was 2 blocks away, but I realized I wasn't prepared.
Emergency preparedness takes on many shapes and sizes. Here is just a short list.
About the only ones I haven't been through on the list above are hurricanes and death. But, I can tell you, not being prepared is a scary deal. However, being prepared has made it easier to weather the storms so to speak.
I have to agree with Ted Wright. He said, "Survival for our families and especially our children is truly our own responsibility. The Bureaucracy has not yet figured how to get the aid we need down to our level. Until then, let US get US ready for the catastrophe that may come at any moment" (p. 11).
Each of us has to take on the responsibility to work on our emergency preparedness efforts to take care of ourselves and our family if we have one. Some people even generously prepare for those around them too, but don't count on it.
Our lives take us to many different places. We go to the stores to buy things we need. We go to work and school. Maybe we do some traveling or just stay at home. Each location has different hazards. We need to be prepared for problems in any location.
While we are away from our homes, we should have something such as a 72 hour kit in a car or office to help us in case we are away from where we have our supplies or help in case we need to evacuate.
Each place has its own hazards. It is up to us to look around and be aware of the hazards. Where are the exits? What can fall from above? Where is the best place to take cover? How will people react and what do we need to do in those circumstances?
It is amazing to hear or see what happens in emergency circumstances. How many drowning victims try to drown their rescuers? How many police officers are attacked by the victim when they come to protect them? Likewise, we need to be aware of this and determine what we can do ahead of time so we do not become victims while trying to help others.
Do you have Everything Prepared?™