Remember the Importance of Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation

We must remember that the current hurricane season will not end until November 30, 2006 and as such, disaster preparedness and mitigation are still very essential in our daily lives. While the developing countries will continue to receive the hardest hit by natural and man-made disasters from floods, fires, droughts, human-driven climate changes, environmental degradation and population pressures, for examples, the USA is certainly not immune. Hence, complacency is unacceptable and can be very dangerous.

While the United States is correctly placing emphasis on Terrorism and the results of such possible acts against this Nation that can constitute a disaster, the traditional meaning of disaster and preparations will continue to be the main focus. Recent and vivid examples are Hurricane Katrina and the floods that hit Pennsylvania Counties this summer. The damages done are well known, in both cases, and many lives have been changed because of this. Therefore, whether it is a natural disaster, an accident or an act of terrorism, preparation in advance may ease our level of stress and decrease the emotional impact on our families. Preparation improves our chance of survival and makes us feel less helpless. Hence, preparation is a very essential action that we can take to protect ourselves and to feel less overwhelmed or burdened in the face of disasters (Helpguide, Coping with Disasters…)

Professionals in the field of Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation have stated that, in preparing, meeting basic needs, being with love ones and having adequate information are among the most important needs to be met in the face of a disaster. Being with love ones also include family pets. For all of us, learning how to prepare in advance and finding ways to cope in response to witnessing, hearing or living through a disaster are significant means to maintaining our emotional health during stressful disasters pre, present and post times. Protecting our safety and security then become critical to us. Psychological, physical, emotional, cognitive and other forms of preparatory support from families, neighbors, city, state and federal individuals and institutions then become a must! But we have to actively seek after this support, collectively or individually. Here, basic human legal rights become important to us and we need to receive them for our own wellbeing before, during and after a disaster. Knowledge of city, state and federal procedures will be necessary to seek or apply for benefits/help and receive them without undue delays.

For individuals in particular, apart from the above, it is important that we remember to keep emergency supplies handy. These will include flashlights with extra batteries, first aid kits, basic home tools, 3 -7 days of uncontaminated water and food, among other basic preparatory items. For businesses, the experts say we need to generally identify which natural and technological hazards occur or may happen in our area, schedule our workplace preparedness training for our teams, develop a disaster response team and plan for our work site, keep current stock and inventory of first aid kits, disaster kits, water and food for staff and customers, network with others in the same building or block, to develop contingency management plans, gather information from local risk management associations or chapters, develop a business continuity plan (that is, how we will get the business up and running following the disaster) and obtain detailed disaster safety information and CPR/first aid training from our Health and Safety groups, among other preparatory activities (Business and Industry Guide, Preparing Your Business for the Unthinkable). Therefore, the critically important point of all is that no small or large business that have peoples lives at risk every day should operate without a disaster plan. Disaster recovery, the experts say, begins before the disaster.

Furthermore, the impact of natural disasters, the professionals tell us, goes beyond physical effects and often result in a range of stresses. All who have been through a disaster can verify this fact of life. Stress can be very detrimental to our health. Stress has often been associated with negative outcomes including ill health, loss of motivation and depression. Children in particular can be very adversely affected by stress that may lead to serious consequences. The need to seek and receive all forms of preparatory and post disaster support then become essential to lessen the impact of stress on us. Mental health (not just physical health injuries from disasters) is important. Because of this, professionals advice us not to underestimate the importance of food, water, shelter, medicines and others alike, to positive mental health preparation and recovery. Family must help families, neighbors must help neighbors, co-workers must help co-workers and so on, to prevent or reduce the continued presence or decrease in normal mental perceptions before and after a disaster (National Center for PTSD, Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Natural Disasters and Mental Health…)

We all need, therefore, to remember the importance of disaster preparedness and management. Whether we are an individual, family, business and National Government, this issue is essential for us all. Good preparation will lessen the impact of a disaster on our physical, mental, psychological, emotional and other aspect of our human lives and love ones. Businesses in particular that will have people lives at stake during a disaster must make the correct and effective pre and post disaster actions. City, State and Federal Governments need to function quickly, effectively and consistently to assist us before, during and after the critical times of disasters. But we must all remember to prepare!