Emergency preparedness

biting? really? omg. that is crazy. where did that happen? 

I have no idea where specifically it was, but here's the story: http://community.livejournal.com/customers_suck/19485064.html

Hi sh,

Let's get with it, people!

I'm with you on that one! Check it out:

http://changeeverything.ca/links_to_sites_regarding_emergency_preparedness 

Al Pasternak

Biosa[tm] Bokashi Composting
++indoor, odour free & more
http://www.greatday.ca

Such a good point. The whole boiling water thing was actually pretty easy. Buying water made people feel safer than boiling it, I guess, but that's an illusion.

Why is emergency preparedness so easy to put off? I know we always put it off, and it's just stupid.

I'd like to see some support offered for folks who are finding it hard enough to put food on the table every night, let alone sink money into a disaster kit. When the crisis – whatever crisis it is – hits, they'll be among the most vulnerable: Katrina and New Orleans taught us that.

Whether it's a government program or something more community-based, some kind of subsidy or free kit distribution initiative could make an enormous difference.

Rob,

The reality of any disaster is that it takes 72 hours for a government agency to get its act together enough to provide an co-ordinated response. This happened after Katrina and after the Tsunami in East Asia. I doubt the people who are most vulnerable all the time will keep their emergency kit intact for the day they actually need it.

In the first few hours/days, it will be the local government & community services already in place that will assist those in need the most. There will be heros and villains, horror stories in which people die and random acts of kindness that save the lives of hundreds more.

Media stations still on the air will act as information clearing houses as will social web networks like this one. Outside the disaster zone, people will be informed on developments, rescue efforts, locating loved ones and other ways to help - http://worldwidehelp.blogspot.com

As it says on the airplane safety video and seat pocket card: "Put your own air mask on first, before helping someone else with theirs."

One final thought. If I don't have my emergency kit with me or it has been destroyed despite my best efforts, I am now a most vulnerable person too.

Here's a page from Vancouver's Emergency Social Services website:

http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/corpsvcs/emerg/ess/participate.htm

"We are always looking for partners for the City Emergency Social Services (ESS) Program. Contact us at 604-215-4779 or by e-mail at ess@vancouver.ca for more information. We need suppliers on hand to provide services and resources to people evacuated from their homes. You can obtain a copy of our supplier agreement that we will keep on file in case of an emergency.

We're looking for many suppliers, but here are examples:

• Motels and Hotels
• Restaurants
• Wholesale food suppliers
• Clothing outlets
• Pharmacies
• ...

We are looking for organizations who might be able to offer space to set up emergency shelter or a reception centre for evacuees ....

We are looking to partner with ethno-specific services in the city. We'd like to hear from you if you can provide the following services: ..."

Regards,

Al Pasternak

Biosa[tm] Bokashi Composting
++indoor, odour free & more
http://www.greatday.ca

Thanks for a very thoughtful reply, Al. But is it really 72 hours before we get anything meaningful from senior levels of government? Don't we have anyone in charge of Canadian emergency response who's a little more qualified than Michael Brown was at FEMA?

Rob,

I appreciate your kind words. We tend to be complacent here in B.C. Disaster preparedness for events such as earthquakes are not part of our collective culture like they are in San Fransisco and Los Angeles. Maybe the impacts of climate change will change that thinking.

Disaster response is a logistical nightmare. It is not who is in charge that matters [see why some bloggers have since apologized Michael Brown] it is the infrastructure.

For the first 72 hours the focus is on search and rescue. After that time - reality bites - "depending on injuries sustained by the victim, outside temperature, and victim access to air and water, the vast majority of those affected by a disaster will die within 72 hours after impact."[source]

Only then can recovery efforts begin in earnest and that is usually when the first outside aid begins to arrive to help the survivors.

The more we - individually and collectively - can do to make that first 72 hours less painful, the better we can cope with the aftermath

Let's see...

Wind up radio - check

Hmmm, I still have a lot of work to do....

Al