Disaster Preparedness for Your Family

By Justin Edwards

Most of you do not know my professional field of work is in bioterrorism response. While my world is  likely quite different than yours in terms of thinking about natural or man-made disasters, I find it troubling that most people I talk to in casual conversations have no sort of disaster plan for themselves or their families. Although Americans have been through several catastrophic events over the last decade, the public is largely complacent when it comes to disaster preparedness. We have mostly lost touch with the reality of another 9/11 (or worse) because we live by the lie that "ignorance is bliss" and have our proverbial heads in the sand. The truth is, we are overdue for a major catastrophe here in America as the world continues to contract with the birth pangs of the end times, and when the inevitable comes, most Americans will find themselves in panic having no idea what to do or how to survive the worst-case scenario.

In a follow-up to last week's post, Merry Terror?, I'd like to provide you with some resources to encourage you to think about and prepare your family for an impending disaster. These resources will help you plan for a man-made disaster (intentional or incidental) or natural catastrophe (2010, by the way, was the deadliest year of disaster in more than a generation as earthquakes, heat waves, floods, volcanoes, super typhoons, blizzards, landslides and droughts killed at least a quarter million people). While I am not promoting or endorsing hording, preparing your family for the short term following any type of disaster is merely taking steps to be responsible for the health and safety of your family. Depending on the government to help you is not an option, so it must start with the wisdom and resources God provides you to get through these events.

To use the old cliche, it's not a matter of if these things will happen, but when they will happen. There are dark days ahead with a frail economy, rumors of war and terrorism, and an increase in natural disasters. As Christians eagerly awaiting our Savior's return, we are to expect these things and not be afraid, but we can take steps now to be prepared for when disaster strikes.

Please feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.

1. CDC - Personal Preparedness for Bio/Chem/Rad/Nuc Terrorism

The possibility of public health emergencies arising in the United States concerns many people in the wake of recent hurricanes, tsunamis, acts of terrorism, and the threat of pandemic influenza. Though some people feel it is impossible to be prepared for unexpected events, the truth is that taking preparedness actions helps people deal with disasters of all sorts much more effectively when they do occur.

To help, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Red Cross have teamed up to answer common questions and provide step by step guidance you can take now to protect you and your loved ones.

2. FEMA Basic Preparedness: Are You Ready?

Are You Ready? provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by walking the reader through how to get informed about local emergency plans, how to identify hazards that affect their local area, and how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit. Other topics covered include evacuation, emergency public shelters, animals in disaster, and information specific to people with disabilities.

3. Ready.Gov (How to Prepare a Kit)

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.

4. Emergency Supplies (Vendor)

“Helping People Prepare…for over 20 years. Offering Food Storage, Emergency Kits, Water Filtration, First Aid, MRE (Meals Ready to Eat), Survival Kits, Camping Gear, disaster preparedness and more! We are committed to serving you with over 900 products!"

5. Family Disaster Plan (Checklist and Guideline)

This booklet is a plan template and is intended to give you a format and possible suggestions about information you might want to include in a family disaster plan. It is not all inclusive and should be modified by the user as needed. Each individual or family should adapt this plan to their specific needs or requirements.

6. American Red Cross 

Do you know what to do? Do you have a plan? Fire, police and emergency medical services may be delayed in responding. You need to learn what to do, have a plan, and be prepared to take care of yourself, your family and your community. 

7. Nuclear Preparedness (Power Plants)

We always expect our nuclear stations to operate safely, but in the unlikely event of a nuclear station emergency, we want you to be prepared. We’ve prepared emergency planning information in conjunction with the states and counties around our nuclear facilities. These plans are designed to protect you. If you hear sirens, we want you to know what they mean and what you need to do.