| Emergencies and Disasters happen more often | | | | 3. Take Immediate Action to Address. Now take |
| than we like to think about. The topic of | | | | action to address the most immediately crucial |
| Emergency Preparedness is being talked about | | | | situations. If you have been somewhat thoughtful |
| more and more often. Natural disasters seem to | | | | in your preparedness, you may have access to |
| be increasing. Terrorist threats are in the news. | | | | your emergency preparedness kit and your first |
| The question of emergency preparedness covers | | | | aid supplies. (These should be in every home, |
| many areas, from mindset to materials. | | | | auto, business, classroom, etc..) Render the first |
| This article is designed to help you begin your | | | | aid that is needs, move away from danger that |
| emergency preparedness efforts. We start with a | | | | still exists. Help people who need it the most. |
| list that you will initially find unexpected, yet also | | | | 4. Look for safe, close shelter. Once you have |
| common sense. Being prepared is not something | | | | addressed anything that is immediately life |
| that you do once and then forget about. It is a | | | | threatening as best as possible, it is time to think |
| mindset; a lifestyle; a way of being the world. This | | | | ahead. Find a safe shelter as close as possible, so |
| is not meant to frighten but in fact to comfort. | | | | that anyone looking for you can find you. If you |
| Being prepared for a disaster limits the initial panic | | | | are in your car, stay there (unless the car itself is |
| when something horrific occurs, thus increasing | | | | dangerous). Cars can provide a wealth of safety, |
| the likelihood that you and your family will survive | | | | shelter and heat. (Again, when you think about |
| the days ahead. | | | | emergency preparedness you car is a place you |
| There is not much that can be done while an | | | | should be prepared to live in for at least 5 days -- |
| event, such an an earthquake, tornado or bomb is | | | | at all times). |
| occurring, if you have not been able to get away | | | | 5. Stay as calm as possible. Panic uses valuable |
| from the area. But after it is over, there are five | | | | energy. You now need to think about conserving |
| top things that you need to do next. | | | | your energy, your body heat, water and food. |
| 1. Move Slowly. This is very counter-intuitive, as | | | | Good emergency preparedness means that you |
| the first inclination is to jump into action. Adrenalin | | | | have some kind of kit that contains water, food, |
| is flowing and panic is setting in. Moving slowly | | | | heat source, and shelter in your home and in your |
| does not mean to do nothing, or even to not | | | | car. Ideally in your office as well. Think about this |
| take action. It means to take deep breaths and | | | | TODAY and take action TODAY to set this up |
| to work hard to think and than act. Even an extra | | | | for yourself and your family. |
| 5-10 seconds of thought will allow your brain the | | | | This list is only meant to be the very beginning of |
| time to make better judgments as to what | | | | your education. It does not even touch upon a |
| actions to take. | | | | the huge overview of items to acquire; training |
| 2. Survey the Scene. Assess the situation and | | | | and education; lists to be made and checked off; |
| determine what is MOST life threatening. Is | | | | plans to be developed. But it is a starting place, |
| someone in dire need of first aid? Is there a gas | | | | and you need to start somewhere in developing |
| leak? Is a person pinned under a beam? Is there | | | | an emergency preparedness mindset and an |
| potential for another event or attack? This is a | | | | emergency preparedness plan for yourself, your |
| triage moment. There will be many things to | | | | family and your community. |
| focus on. Immediate danger is first. | | | | |