Personal Preparedness is Key

A disaster strikes! What's the first thing you think about -- helping others? Try again! The best way to help others is to first take care of yourself, and to better be prepared for that eventuality, I will provide some resources on what you can do as an individual to be better prepared for a disaster so you can immediately assess your own safety and move on to helping others.

To start, check out ready.gov/ which gives a basic, yet thorough break-down for personal preparedness:

1. Get a Kit which should include some, if not all of the following:
* Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
* Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
* Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* First aid kit
* Whistle to signal for help
* Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
* Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
* Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
* Local maps
* Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

2. Make a Plan, which should include the following information:
* Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
* Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
* Teach family members how to use text messaging (also knows as SMS or Short Message Service). Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
* Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Sign up by visiting your local Office of Emergency Management web site.

3. Be Informed

Other helpful resources:
Disability Preparedness
FEMA - Are you ready?
72 Hours