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View Full Version : Emergency Preparedness: overarching principles of having what you need in emergency



iris lily
3-17-14, 10:57pm
If there is enough discussion here we may start a new "Emergency Preparedness" forum.

This forum really seems to be the best one, to me, for discussion Emergency preparedness. Isn't that topic really about being organized? Having papers, foodstuffs, medicines, gas in the car, coals for the BBQ pit, etc.

What is your biggest disaster threat? For me, it's weather. Here in tornado alley, the big winds happen. My neighborhood was heavily damaged by the tornado that came through St. Louis in 1896. It could happen again.

bae
3-17-14, 11:46pm
For me, my biggest threats are:

- wildfire
- heavy wind storm
- heavy rains/snow
- supply chain disruption due to problems with docks/ferries/boats
- earthquake/tsunami
- economic

For me, the key is skill, organization, planning, and community action.

Spartana
3-18-14, 1:15am
My biggest threats would be earthquakes (had one today with many aftershocks) and the potential gas line ruptures and fire/explosions from that. Add to that the water line ruptures and lack of potable water for many days (weeks? months?),downed power grid, damaged roads that will inhibit re-stocking bottled water and food to an urban area of close to 30 million people (SoCal) in a desert-like environment. No way in or out for many and limited emergency services. Hmmm....zombies are starting to look good :-)!. Of course here in SoCal they will all starve to death too as we are mostly made of plastic and silicone :-)!

Oh and the ever present mega-drought which will not only wipe out our immediate water supply, but much of the nations food supply. Of course we can all head north to Oregon and Washington where the water is. Hmm... bet if that happened (30 plus million invading Californians) zombies would begin too look good to them too :-)!

The good thing - and probably saving grace for us Californians (at least SoCalians) - is the weather. If you can horde enough water and some basic non-perishable foods you can camp in a tent forever without fear of freezing to death or constantly being soaked from torrential rains. So that is where I prepare the best - have both camping stuff in the house with tons of bottled water, and a bug-out bag with camping stuff and some purification tablets and a filter (can last a week or 2), as well as one in my car in case an earthquake/disaster happens while I'm away from home and I have to walk home from many miles away. Have extra dog food too that I can share with the dog if needed - it's wet Beneful which looks better than most stuff we humans have for dinner :-)! Turkey Medley in a mushroom sauce - yum!

mschrisgo2
3-18-14, 1:22am
For me, by far the biggest threat is earthquake. Just this morning I rotated out the backup water bottles, made a note of food stuff I need to replace tomorrow, and refilled the first aid kits. I also need to get a change of clothes and a pair of sneakers back into my van. I do have food, water, blankets, dog food, extra collar and leash, proof of dog's vaccines, and a collapsible dog crate in there. I figure its wise to have the van as prepared as possible, since I'm away from home more than at home.

Spartana
3-18-14, 2:14am
For me, by far the biggest threat is earthquake. Just this morning I rotated out the backup water bottles, made a note of food stuff I need to replace tomorrow, and refilled the first aid kits. I also need to get a change of clothes and a pair of sneakers back into my van. I do have food, water, blankets, dog food, extra collar and leash, proof of dog's vaccines, and a collapsible dog crate in there. I figure its wise to have the van as prepared as possible, since I'm away from home more than at home.I always keep some water bottles outside in case my house collapses or catches fire. I probably should do the same with food too as I'd hate to see my little stock pile of food and water get squished and useless in my collapsed house during an earthquake.

bae
3-18-14, 2:16am
I always keep some water bottles outside in case my house collapses or catches fire. I probably should do the same with food too as I'd hate to see my little stock pile of food and water get squished and useless in my collapsed house during an earthquake.

Exactly - I keep some supplies outside the house in the woodshed, and in the boat!

happystuff
3-23-14, 6:55am
I think our biggest threat is actually flood, which is why I tended to concentrate on the grab-n-go bags in the past. As the kids are getting older and starting drive, I'm thinking it may be time to put more effort into car packs. Hmmm.....

bae
3-23-14, 2:46pm
In our Rescue Academy class last week, this video was presented which I thought was quite good, and had lessons that were applicable to many practices, not just to the fire service.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og9Usv82CdU

Spartana
3-23-14, 4:54pm
I think our biggest threat is actually flood, which is why I tended to concentrate on the grab-n-go bags in the past. As the kids are getting older and starting drive, I'm thinking it may be time to put more effort into car packs. Hmmm.....I know some people in flood prone areas keep extra sandbags stored in case they need them. They also keep some food and water (and important papers) in their attics in case the water gets too and high floods the bottom floor. They also keep some kind of tool to saw/cut their way out of the attic so they can get onto the roof if the house is totally submerged. I have heard of lots of people in floods and a hurricane storm surges becoming trapped in their attics from rising water with no way to get out.

iris lily
3-24-14, 10:46am
bae I liked that video, I watched the entire thing. Sloooooooooooowwwwww Doooowwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn indeed.

RosieTR
3-24-14, 11:26am
The biggest threats for me would depend. Making the house unlivable? Regular house fire or tornado. Impeding my ability to get to/from work? Flood or blizzard. Causing a shutdown of the entire area? Blizzard (short term), power grid problem or very serious plague (longer term). I think it's good for me to have a couple of months of supplies in case of having to "bug in" with no power or no physical contact with others but I am not planning for a years-long disaster. I could do better with a car kit, though. Physically, I stay fit enough to walk 10 miles in adverse weather, and wear/bring appropriate clothing that if I had to, I could on all but maybe the very coldest days which aren't likely to have huge snowstorms or floods. Always travel in comfortable shoes, but I could stand to bring some water and granola bars just in case, esp if it's a high chance of snow and/or thunderstorm.
This series of threads reminds me that I should check in with my sister, who lives in the Seattle area. Way more chances for catastrophic problems there and I'm not sure what her preparedness is like.

Gardenarian
3-24-14, 2:53pm
Fire and earthquake are our biggest threats - we live next to a state park in coastal California.