Emergency Preparedness

This week I received a phone call from someone that I have worked with for many years. Living with a variety of chronic conditions, she was watching and reading about the struggles in Haiti after the earthquake. Like many people with chronic illness, she is not in a position to be making monetary contributions, but wants others to know who is doing what and where they might want to consider donating.

There was another important issue for her. If a natural disaster struck, how could she help the people in her building, many of whom are elderly or living with a significant disability? She pointed out that it had been a long time since she had taken anything like a basic first aid course. What could she do?

To address her concerns, below are some suggestions on how to prepare for a disaster.

• Keep in mind the airline attendants instructions, “in the event of an emergency, put the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping children and others around you.” Make sure you are okay first, so you are in the best possible shape to help others.

• Ready. Gov: Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed This government website provides information on setting up:
- A basic survival kit.
- A plan so that family and close friends know how to contact one another and what you can do in different situations. There are online family planning tools you can use to make this easier.
- Be informed. Learn more about possible risks for your community and how you can prepare for them.

• Talk to your neighbors about how to work together in case of an emergency. Find out what emergency plans are in place where you live, work, play, pray and go to school.

• Learn how to shelter in place: This means how to take immediate shelter regardless of where you are.

• If you have pets, make sure your plan includes them.

• CDC’s Emergency Preparedness and Response: Addresses specific hazards, such as bioterrorism, chemical emergencies, radiation emergencies, mass causalities, natural disasters and severe weather, and recent outbreaks and incidences

• Learn basic first aid and CPR-Contact your local Red Cross Chapter