Applied lessons
The Hurricane Katrina disaster is teaching us all lessons in what is possible in the aftermath of a disaster. What makes the difference is how you apply the lessons learned. While we in Wisconsin do not have to worry about the catastophic damage of a hurricane or earthquake, we do face natural threats that can create chaos over the short term. Severe tornados, blizzards, and ice storms can leave us in vulnerable positions, not to mention the threat of mass destruction weapons. Now is the time to start applying the lessons you are learning.
Start at home. Some people are uncomfortable building up huge supplies for emergencies. That's fine, but it is no excuse for not having any. In a severe disaster, help will come, but it won't come quickly. Have a water supply available to you, and at least a few days of non-perishable food. This does not even have to be a designated emergency supply. Take my parents, for example. They buy in bulk, so in a closet in their basement they have a nice supply of food and beverages. While the initial expense of doing this is a little high, it pays of for you pocket book in the long run. Instead of running the supplies down to nothing and then replenishing, they replenish as they go. It isn't an emergency supply, it's just their food supply. But it will make a nice emergency supply should the time come.
Staying at home, think of how you will handle the various disasters Wisconsin is prone to. You don't need to create a manual on your disaster plan, but have a good idea as to what you plan to do. I used to live in an apartment in town, and last summer a funnel cloud went right over it. My wife and I did not have much of a plan, and had it touched down, we'd have been in serious trouble in our second story apartment. Others in the complex had a plan. They knew of a close by shelter, and they went there this summer when my city did experience tornados.
Next, do a little research. See if your city has any plans in place for disasters your town may be suceptible to. If you find your city doesn't have a plan, get involved in your local government to make sure it does. You can't complain about your government's failure if you could not take the time to make sure it had workable plans in the first place.
Do not count on the Feds. The Federal Government is a huge entity, and it will always take some time to get it swung into action, and the most critical time is right after the disaster. A president's job during this time is to sign off on what the local officals need. Disasters are local-in scope and in initial response. Don't let your city and state repeat the errors of others.
Start at home. Some people are uncomfortable building up huge supplies for emergencies. That's fine, but it is no excuse for not having any. In a severe disaster, help will come, but it won't come quickly. Have a water supply available to you, and at least a few days of non-perishable food. This does not even have to be a designated emergency supply. Take my parents, for example. They buy in bulk, so in a closet in their basement they have a nice supply of food and beverages. While the initial expense of doing this is a little high, it pays of for you pocket book in the long run. Instead of running the supplies down to nothing and then replenishing, they replenish as they go. It isn't an emergency supply, it's just their food supply. But it will make a nice emergency supply should the time come.
Staying at home, think of how you will handle the various disasters Wisconsin is prone to. You don't need to create a manual on your disaster plan, but have a good idea as to what you plan to do. I used to live in an apartment in town, and last summer a funnel cloud went right over it. My wife and I did not have much of a plan, and had it touched down, we'd have been in serious trouble in our second story apartment. Others in the complex had a plan. They knew of a close by shelter, and they went there this summer when my city did experience tornados.
Next, do a little research. See if your city has any plans in place for disasters your town may be suceptible to. If you find your city doesn't have a plan, get involved in your local government to make sure it does. You can't complain about your government's failure if you could not take the time to make sure it had workable plans in the first place.
Do not count on the Feds. The Federal Government is a huge entity, and it will always take some time to get it swung into action, and the most critical time is right after the disaster. A president's job during this time is to sign off on what the local officals need. Disasters are local-in scope and in initial response. Don't let your city and state repeat the errors of others.
posted by Jib @ 2:17 PM
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