Why Prepare?

The subject of disaster preparedness is a touchy one with some folk. The reason for this is probably some deep seated psychosis that I am I am not qualified to even begin to discuss. Yet these same people who will not discuss putting back some extra food for an emergency, learning first aid or even making a disaster plan, practise preparedness in other ways. These people keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen. they have smoke detectors, they buckle their seat belts in the car. Obviously no one want a fire in the kitchen or to be in a car crash, but we take steps to deal with these events should they occur. The point is that with some modest preparations we can mitigate some of the consequences of these events should they occur in our lives and of those around us. Disasters can take many forms, but most of the time localized events, such as a tornado cutting a path through a large area destroying homes and businesses.. Usually help for that area come first from the people and governments surrounding it. Federal support follows several days later, as I saw following some of the devastating tornadoes that swept through middle Tennessee in 2006 and 2007. Being prepared for events such as these not only allows you to help and help others. You may become the first responder, whether you want to be or not. Help may not always be immediate, you have to be able to rely on yourself first. Can you dress a wound? Can you start a fire with our a lighter or matches? Are you able to protect yourself against looters who sometimes show up after events to see what they can pillage?. Just look at the aftermath of hurricane Katrina that hit New Orleans to see some of the worst examples of the behavior of people and the government's response to that emergency. Some people were without food and water, and medical attention for days. Some of the issues that I will be discussing on this blog are:

1. How do we prepare?


2. What are appropriate levels?


3. Can you garden?


4. Can you defend yourself and your family?

The list goes on and on. Through out this blog Cheryl and I will be adding websites to aid you in planning and acquiring your "stuff" that you need in the event of a disaster. But to start I am giving you one to begin with. http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm