Why Consider Preparedness?

September is Disaster Preparedness Month

The Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition, which includes the ISU Extension Office and the Project Joseph committee, will be sharing information through the next few months and will have ongoing some activities to help citizens understand what preparedness might involve.

Scott Hansen, Benton County Emergency Management Coordinator states, “So far in Benton County, individuals, government agencies, and utilities have worked together to handle the past disasters and recovery periods quite well, but we can do even better.

“The foundation of a successful emergency management program is well prepared citizens. Government agencies and responders can do only so much during a disaster. Individuals and families must take personal responsibility for being prepared to take care of themselves as well as helping other family, friends and neighbors.”

He continued, “I strongly encourage individual households to follow the current recommendations for preparedness at the level they feel comfortable”.

“We don’t know when the next disaster will occur or how long it will take to recover. Whatever the situation, the better each individual is prepared will directly affect how quickly our whole community will recover and be even more resilient against the next disaster,” Hansen noted.

When one hears the word “disaster,” it might evoke feelings of fear or dread, or being out of control. If that is the case, consider this: 1) By preparing, you are taking some control back into your hands  2) You can have not only some supplies to survive, but survive with a bit comfort 3) By taking action now, you can avoid just “reacting” as a disaster unfolds. That is more painful.

Here are some opportunities with which to begin.  Go to http://beready.iowa.gov/letstacklepreparedness.html and click on the third link to “find out more and download your playbook” then click on “individual/families” link. Here you can find the “playbook” which has a lot of info, so don’t get overwhelmed. Take one section a week, for example, and digest it slowly.

The playbook centers on 1) Having a game plan which includes a family plan to communicate and connect when a disaster occurs, consider people with special needs, pets, etc. 2) Build an emergency kit or bag  3) Be aware of hazards that affect your area. Have a way to get news and alerts on your phone or NOAA radio.

The “20 Weeks to Preparedness” is a pamphlet that will suggest to you what to gradually buy or do, so that the whole idea getting prepared does not overwhelm you, as well as break your budget. If you would like hard copy of this brochure, or call your local EMA office at 319-472-4519 or e-mail projectjoseph00@gmail.com.

It may be helpful to know that even those of us on the Project Joseph committee are in various stages of “preparedness.”  For example, I just got my own emergency bag or kit last week. There is nothing in it yet. I have some supplies for it, but they are still in the sack from the store. I can go to a website, and get overwhelmed by the amount of information and choices I am faced with. The things the Project Joseph committee has learned about preparedness will be shared in the following months.

 Now, I don’t share this with you to make you want to hibernate or shut down. I share it to let you know that only you can decide how you feel led to prepare your household. I have decided this is not a sprint, but more likely a journey. Take small bites only. It will taste better.