Planning

Emergency Preparedness Disaster Planning

      Do you have a "what if" plan that covers the predictable disasters, like earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods that could affect your family? What would each family member do if an earthquake struck while the kids were at school, the wife was shopping and the husband was at work? What would you do if a hurricane was approaching and you had 24 hours to evacuate? What would you do if you awoke in the middle of the night and your house was on fire? What if during a severe storm, you look out your window and see a tornado approaching?

      It is important that each family member know what to do in any disaster. Planning and preparing allows you and your family members to replace shock and confusion with instant action that can save lives.

      Many survival sources think, teach and preach in terms of "heading for a remote area with a bunch of gear, supplies and ammunition" to escape the survival situation and all the chaos and turmoil associated with it. This generally won't work because:

• In the lower 48 states of the USA, there are no truly remote areas left. The whole country is remarkably well populated.


• The transportation routes headed out of any disaster zone are likely to be damaged and clogged.


• If you do get to a less populated area, you won't be alone and the resources to support life (fish, game and wild food) will be quickly exhausted.

      Because of this, we need to think in terms of:

• Your home is your primary survival refuge. Stock it and equip it to continue to serve you regardless of the changing circumstances. Allow for the disruption of infrastructures, including electricity, water, sewage, area transportation, area communications and food supply.


• Each of your family members should have contingency plans to get home if a disaster disrupts normal transportation. You should also have a contingency meeting place and communication methods in case some family members are unable to get home.


• Your neighbors are either your best friends and allies or your potential enemies. It is important to get acquainted with them and work with them to prepare for disasters before they happen. Several working together are more able to handle disruptions than one alone.


• If you should be forced out of your home, you need a bug-out plan. A bug-out plan enables you to pack and leave very quickly, know where you are going and know how you are going to get there.


• The food that you stock should be the food that you normally eat and you should keep using and replacing your old stock. This saves money and avoids the shock of trying to live on stuff that you probably don't like and possibly can't digest.


• You should use all of the tools and other items in your various kits. Just keep the kits organized and together as kits so you can access them quickly without having to hunt for missing items.