| Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone who | | | | might not be obvious at first glance. Many people |
| has lost loved ones and suffered through the | | | | need prescriptions refilled but cannot get to the |
| recent hurricanes, floods and storms. Our prayers | | | | pharmacy. Sometimes the pharmacy has been |
| are with you as you work to put your lives and | | | | destroyed. |
| homes back together. In attempting to learn | | | | With flood events there is the lingering danger of |
| environmental lessons from these tragic events | | | | mold and other contaminants. It is essential to dry |
| we in no way mean to look past the human | | | | out flooded structures immediately in order to |
| suffering, only to learn what can be learned about | | | | protect against mold. And there is always the |
| preventing or diminishing tragedy in the future. | | | | concern about chemicals, toxins, and disease: what |
| Those who own or manage campgrounds, RV | | | | else in the water was left behind? |
| parks, resorts, vacation facilities, motels, hotels | | | | With forest fires, brushfires and dust storms |
| and various other places where people come to | | | | there is worry about allergens and dust. Those |
| stay always want to learn more and do more to | | | | with asthma and lung disease need to know |
| keep their guests safe. For them and for all of us, | | | | whether the air quality is safe. Given that many |
| the aftermath of disaster is both a time to grieve | | | | of those who use RVs are elderly and have |
| and a time to learn. | | | | chronic health problems, concerns about air quality |
| Storms are one example of where ecology and | | | | and easy access to medical care are often |
| environment meet. Ecology describes how the | | | | matters of life and death. They are always |
| earth functions. Environmental studies describe | | | | important for quality of life. |
| how ecology affects us. As biological creatures | | | | You are most likely not alone when it comes to |
| we are users and consumers of what is in our | | | | planning for emergencies. Most, if not all cities and |
| environment while at the same time being part of | | | | counties have an office of Emergency |
| our environment. Ecological upheavals remind us, | | | | Management Response. These directors are |
| often tragically, that we are vulnerable. What is in | | | | increasingly well trained, professional and |
| our environment can harm us or kill us just as | | | | conscientious men and women who take their |
| easily as it can nourish and comfort us. Here are | | | | responsibilities seriously. They work closely with |
| some learnings and reminders that come to mind. | | | | fire, rescue, transport and homeland security |
| - Heed the warnings, evacuate early and be | | | | personnel and agencies. They will be the first to |
| prepared well in advance with food, water, radio, | | | | know whether the National Guard has been |
| batteries and flashlights. | | | | activated. They will be the best informed and the |
| - Does your facility have a good working warning | | | | ones in charge when an emergency occurs. Like |
| system? Do you have a safe shelter for the | | | | the County Conservation Office, the EMR is there |
| types of storms that occur in your area? | | | | for one reason only: to serve those who need |
| - Do you have adequate first aid supplies in that | | | | their help. Make sure you keep up to date with |
| shelter? | | | | information and advice from this office when |
| - Do you have a good emergency communication | | | | there are no emergencies. Be sure to keep handy |
| system with the outside world? | | | | several numbers by which to contact them in an |
| - Are escape routes well known? | | | | emergency. |
| - Do you have a supply of safe drinking water | | | | Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Like |
| and food for several days? | | | | insurance, let's all hope it turns out that |
| - Do you have at least an outline of what needs | | | | emergency preparedness was never needed. |
| to happen afterwards? Where should people go? | | | | When it is needed it is too late to prepare. The |
| Who will be in charge? What kind of assistance will | | | | reality is that no place is totally safe from |
| most likely be needed immediately? First aid, | | | | everything: fire, power outages, wind, floods, |
| medical attention, shelter, food, water, medicine | | | | blizzards, earthquakes, pollution and many |
| and temporary sanitation will be the immediate | | | | variations thereof. |
| needs for survival. | | | | We do our best to be prepared and stick |
| Depending on the event, there are weeks or | | | | together in case something bad happens. |
| months of recovery work to be considered. Wind | | | | Again, our hearts go out to those who have been |
| events and ice storms leave downed trees to be | | | | involved in the recent and not-so-recent disasters |
| removed, power lines to be restored, medical | | | | that seem to be coming from all directions. |
| emergency transport and medical care needs that | | | | |