Although it is not a pleasant thought, a person never really knows when disaster will strike. Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, or man-made disasters can result in an emergency, that without proper preparation, could be catastrophic for individuals and their families. In certain cases, government agencies are able to provide warnings of impending catastrophes, allowing the public substantial preparation time. However, circumstances may arise to make this impossible, and many people find they are left with only minutes to prepare for evacuation, or any other action that may be necessary. This can result in decisions being made in a panic, as well as too little time to deal with the situation appropriately.
The fate of persons faced with natural or man-made disasters in an urban area largely depends on the preparedness of the individual, as well as warnings and information made available by federal, state and local agencies. Acting correctly and confidently in any emergent episode reduces loss and injury.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Emergency Management Act recommends several courses of action be taken in order to sufficiently manage a crisis. First on the list is to design an emergency kit, which will contain items necessary for survival after a fire, flood, or any number of life threatening incidences. The kit should include enough water so that each person has a minimum of a gallon a day, as well as a three day supply of food. The food should be non-perishable, such as canned food or dry goods. A battery operated radio is also of the utmost importance so that one can remain updated on the status of the emergency they are facing. The kit should be rounded off with a first aid box, a battery operated flashlight, and dust masks. It is also imperative to include any pertinent medications in a clearly marked, waterproof container. As always, care should be taken with medication if children are present.
An out of town friend or family member should be established as a central contact that one can use, more or less, as a message center. If family members lose touch with each other, they can “check in” with the out of town contact person to form a plan to reunite. Each family member should have a charged cellphone, a prepaid calling card, and coins for a pay phone. All family members should be familiar with how to text or utilize instant messaging, as these can often circumvent network disruptions where an actual phone call would fail.
Many communities offer what is referred to as alert services which can be utilized to receive free text messages concerning road conditions and disaster updates. One should also be familiar with the local evacuation route in their community. If told by government agencies to evacuate, it is imperative that these instructions be taken seriously.
The Emergency Preparedness Cycle developed by the National Training Program is a good place to start if one wishes to pursue in depth training in emergency response to man-made or natural disasters. They promote a step by step plan which consists of training for catastrophes, and the practicing of emergency procedures. This is followed by evaluating the plan, in order to improve it, mapping out a strategy, and organizing emergency equipment so that nothing is left to chance. Emergency preparedness cannot be understated, and if executed properly it will save lives and reduce catastrophic loss.