Disaster !

[Moose]

Hey Dudes....

So I used to work as an EMT here in Seattle. I've always been "above the curve" when it comes to being prepared for emergencies and the like. I have a Med kit in the truck, road repair gear, and in the fall/winter I store a chain saw on board. We have had winter storms up here lately that have left people without power for over a week and shut down major roads with downed trees and power lines.

I have a good at home kit as well. 1 weeks worth of MRE's for 4, water filtering gear, batteries, Weather radio, etc. But I feel that I could be doing more. I just recently signed up for my cities CERT team. (Civilian Emergency Response Team)

This is something I feel I can do for my community. My wife is brilliant and resourceful. I know that once we are sure our family is safe, she has no problem with me going to help others.

Do any of you guys do anything similar? How do your wives feel about it?

[Nichevo]

My wife sometimes scratches her head at why I have MREs, water etc. stashed in the garage and in the basement. At the same time, she knows that based on my occupation, I work off of the "worst case" scenario when it comes to planning. The only thing I would add to your list is a small generator and some fuel to go with it.

[Shadow Papa]

Before DW and I married I was a volunteer with the local American Red Cross Disaster Action Team. The DAT team I was on was very active--we responded to every residential fire call and provided immediate assitance to those who were unprepared. I enjoyed the volunteer service and took full advantage of the preparedness training provided by the ARC.

We lived together before marriage and she was experienced my being pulled out of bed at all hours in all sorts of weather. Shortly after we were engaged she told me that A) she worried about me being on scene when fires or other events were occuring and was frequently unable to rest well until I returned home and B) in the event of a mass casualty disaster she was concerned that secondary affects may jeopardize family safety while I was working at a shelter or other service.

I understood both points. We were not first responders but we frequently arrived with the second or third engine to house fires. I saw explosions and a host of unpredictable things. Further, having seen families cope with their losses it was very clear that they needed each other. My wife and I were dating when 9/11 occured. I came home from work and, at some point, we just held each other and wept. We didn't know anybody directly killed or directly affected, but we were both deeply moved. I'm glad I was able to support her and she me that day. Had I been on DAT in the area, I would have felt obligated to run a shelter or otherwise answer the call to serve, and I would have missed the chance to support my (future) wife. I would have missed an opportunity to improve our connection.

While I truly understand the call to service I feel my place is with my family and my neighborhood.

[Shadow Papa]

By-the-by.... those of you who find it a good fit for your unique family:



Thank you for your service. After all, it is a job that does need to get done.

[dadinblue]

Once my family is taken care of and safe, then I go to work; as a police officer, I have to get in to work ASAP, after taking care of my family.

I am glad that SOME people are taking their own precautions in hand. The VAST majority of people trust the .gov to step in.

Sure worked well in NOLA, didn't it?

Now contrast with California last month, where people helped each other instead of looting.

[jcfelt]

Originally Posted by dadinblue

Now contrast with California last month, where people helped each other instead of looting.

Actually, not to detract from your point, there was some looting that took place, but nothing major, and i don't think it really made the news at all.

Anyway, as to the topic at hand, I'm sorely unprepared for any sort of disaster. The sad thing is I know this, and yet still fail to take initiative and do anything about it. I'm a terrible procrastinator, and this is one of those "easy" things to put off, because you never really want to consider/think about yourself being caught in one of these tragedies, even though anyone and everyone is fair game.

Maybe just seeing this thread and reading the others' responses will spur me into action. Bad me, bad!

[kaylee18]

Yeah, we ought to be prepared in case of hurricane too... but we're not :

[Blooming]

A bit off topic....


But what do you have to be prepared? I would like to be prepared without being wasteful and getting crazy over it.

Thanks!

[editmom]

I am with Blooming, tell us how to be prepared without being wasteful. If MRES are not avail, what else might we do? I think this should be it's own thread. Especially with heating costs what they are. Thanks.

[Shadow Papa]

Originally Posted by Blooming

A bit off topic....


But what do you have to be prepared? I would like to be prepared without being wasteful and getting crazy over it.

Thanks!

Call your local chapter of the American Red Cross and ask for family preparation booklets. They have been helping families cope with the immediate impacts of minor and major diasters for 100 years... they know how to be practical and frugal.

Originally Posted by momtomany

I am with Blooming, tell us how to be prepared without being wasteful. If MRES are not avail, what else might we do? I think this should be it's own thread. Especially with heating costs what they are. Thanks.

Preparation can be regionally appropriate. If you think you'll have water issues-store some reserve water, fill the bath tub so you can flush waste, keep a brand new box of black trash bags (thick ones) in your emergency kit. If power is an issue, keep batteries and flash lights. Candles are nice but can be an additional hazard in some disaster situations.

Think about getting through at least five days. This should be done with both basic needs (food, water, health, & warmth/cooling) and comfort in mind. We keep extra no-cook food, water, first aid, medicine, batteries, and games at the ready. Use your normal food first... the reserves should be use when every thing else is gone... think of it as the last five days before help arrives. If help isn't coming... well... that is a bigger problem.

It is recommended that entertainment or shared activities be included, like cards or small games. Nothing worse than cabin fever when the outside world is filled with scary, unfamiliar things. Kids will need to stay busy to avoid the unknown hazards of post disaster envirnments. Play with them and try to enjoy the forced family time!

Talk to your family and come up with a list together. Those who are first responders likely know, practice and drills make the real event less stressful as they have some standard protocols to rely on. This can be translated to a family level, too. Make planning fun!

[2lilsweetfoxes]

(Not a dad, but here's a handy checklist for disaster-related evacuation preparedness)

http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Prepared.asp


*note #9 for your dear wife or girlfriend and any preteen or teen daughters*