Do you know that National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. That is why we are here, right? Preparedness. What is preparedness? How do I get prepared? Are my preparedness plans enough? How much food and water do I need? Do I need a team? What I do when? How come? I'm not worried about it because my neighbor prepares and well..... I've heard it all. Honestly, over 90% of our nation is a mess...even since the start of Covid-19. It will never happen to me.
Over the past six months our nation has responded to Covid-19 as well as natural disasters and a growing manmade disaster from city to city. I would encourage you, each week, during September, to identify a part of your family emergency preparedness plans to test with your family. If you don't test them, how do you know they work?
Let's start with the basics. Have you made a plan! Over the past 15 months, HFS has provided information, training, and support to help individuals start the planning process. If you don't have a well thought out plan that you have conducted a risk analysis of what you believe you are planning for and the threats to your thoughts, you may not be planning right. I do believe something is better than nothing, however if you are going to put forth the time and effort, why not do it right?
Throughout the HFS website you can find different articles and links to the FEMA and ReadyGov sites as well as the Red Cross Emergency Planning site for additional guidance. You should find sufficient information to plan for adults, children, pets and family members with special needs. Check out these links: https://www.hopeforsurvival.com/blog/categories/plans-and-processes, and https://www.hopeforsurvival.com/blog/categories/preparedness-for-children, or https://www.hopeforsurvival.com/blog/categories/people-with-disabilities. So, as you can see, most of the work has already been put together for you. You need to add your information and keep it updated.
If you haven't already, you should focus immediately on a foundation of water, food, shelter, a first aid kit and some degree of security to protect your family. You should also put together a Every Day Carry backpack for your personal vehicles in the event of an emergency while mobile. You should make a note and adjust your bags seasonal.
At a minimum you should develop a Family Emergency Preparedness Plans, a Family Evacuation Plan for your home, and a Family Communication Plan to ensure you can communicate and/or know the identified locations of family members during hazardous type events. If you are unable to communicate, where will your loved ones be located (rallied) so everyone can reconnect?
Here are some tips to consider following;
Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
Check out the linked checklists and recommendations while reflecting back on HFS courses you may have taken in the past. September is National Preparedness Month, however our theory is to be prepared daily for any event that could potentially change your way of life.
Remember, get self-reliant. Get out of the box and see things before they happen. Take control of your life. Get prepared.
Blessings,
Bravo Echo Out
Comments