Week 2: September 8 – 14

Make a Plan to Prepare for Disasters.

What a concept.

Make a plan.

This concept is out their way on the edge of reality. I want to shake that person’s hand came up with this idea.

Sarcasm aside, the idea of making a plan to prepare for disasters has been around for a long time.

I know because I’ve been developing plans and training people for decades.

The biggest problem with preparing for disasters broadly across the population has to do with preparedness mentality or behavior.

The latest FEMA 2018 national household survey results on disaster preparedness shows that only 37% of the people who responded have been preparing or have made disaster plans for more than a year. This is up from 34%.

Information on the 2018 national household survey can be found here: https://community.fema.gov/story/FEMA-Releases-2018-National-Household-Survey-Results-on-Individual-and-Community-Preparedness?lang=en_US

PDF of the survey can be found here: https://community.fema.gov/AP_2018_National_Household_Survey

 

Why now?

It is possible that the slight increase in prepared individuals may have something to do with the multiple disasters and emergencies that Americans have faced over the last 2 or 3 years.

There will be no relief in the oncoming years for multiple reasons.

1. With the rise of the world’s temperature, the oceans are getting hotter creating more intense hurricanes and cyclones.

2. Wildlands are becoming drier increasing the number and the intensity of wildfires.

3.Population density is growing in the coastal communities. The United States Census estimates that next year 2020, 60% of the population will be living in 10% of the landmass of the United States.

PDF Link: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coastal-population-report.pdf

4. Coastal communities are at the highest level of risk for natural disasters.

© 2014 CoreLogic, Inc

Additional information on hazard risks: https://www.corelogic.com/search.aspx?q=hazard risk&type=&page=1

 

Localized Training:

During the lead up to September, National Disaster Planning month I queried local community offices of emergency management, both County offices, and City offices to determine what they were doing to train or prepare their citizens for the upcoming hurricane season.

Blank stares were a common response to my queries.

No, I am not joking.

Are you are one of the individuals who has actively decided it is time to start developing an emergency action plan for yourself your family or your loved ones?

This blog is a good place to start.

I recommend getting started by securing a copy of the FEMA are you ready handbook.

Are You Ready an be found here: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/7877

 

How long will it take to actually develop an emergency action plan?

From my own personal experience, it will take approximately 24 hours of your time to review the information needed and actively put a plan together.

That does not mean you can do it in one day however you can spend an hour or 2 a week and accomplish the planning procedures.

Additional processes such as First-Aid training and rehearsals will add to the time to complete the plan.

If you think you do not have an hour or two in a week to develop a plan. Then you really do need to assess what you are doing with your time.

 

Another good place to start is this blog:

Below are links to the emergency action planning workshop beta test from 2018.

This is a compilation of tell, show, do educational materials.

There are videos and links to download relevant documentation that will assist you in developing your emergency action plan.

They are provided at no cost to you, just use them to find out what works for you, and what does not work for you.

Questions or concerns can be posted on the blog or at https://www.facebook.com/emergencyactionplanning

I would appreciate some feedback on what you are receiving from this material.

 

EAP Workshop:

EAP Workshop Introduction: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/03/26/eap-workshop/

Terminal Learning Objectives: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/04/02/eap-workshop-week-one/

Supplemental Reading List: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/04/08/supplemental-reading-list/

Getting Started, Types of Emergencies and Disasters: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/04/09/eap-workshop-week-2/

Risk Management, Stress and Benefits of Having a Plan: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/04/15/week-three-eap-workshop/

Getting Organized, the Home Front: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/04/22/eap-workshop-week-four/

Rally Points: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/04/30/emergency-action-planning-week-five/

Practice your plan, Food & Water: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/05/06/eap-workshop-week-six/

First Aid and Sanitation: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/05/14/eap-workshop-week-seven/

Communications: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/05/21/eap-workshop-week-eight/

Evacuation: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/05/28/week-nine-emergency-evacuation/

Food and water update: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/05/29/emergency-food-and-water-update/

Shelter: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/06/03/eap-workshop-week-ten/

Yes, I hear you. This seems like an awful lot.

Well, it is.

A well-developed emergency action plan will require many moving pieces. It is not something you can put together in a leisurely afternoon sipping lemonaid and chatting with your neighbors.

The decision is yours. Do you want to protect yourself your family or loved ones?

Or do you just want to talk about it?

 

What have you got to lose?

Your family and your loved ones are all looking to you to take them by the hand and walk them out of the dark.

Be the hero.

Email me at: [email protected]

For information on the upcoming EAP Workshop.

Till next time

 

 

 

“Be Safe”