Believe it or not, emergency preparedness training has become big business for colleges and universities, as well as entire government agencies dedicated to the cause. The University of Washington even offers an online degree in Disaster Management in which the graduate will learn how the infrastructure that we take for granted is affected by disasters, and how to plan so that vulnerabilities in those systems are minimized.
Whew. Enough big words for a while. The real question is what can you do, personally, to ensure that your family will be well prepared for a disaster?
The Basics of Emergency Preparedness Training
There are a few things you should know that will help in the event of a natural disaster. Things like:
• How to turn off the natural gas line into your home. Especially for those living in earthquake prone areas, one of the most important things you can do after a major earthquake is to shut off the gas at the meter, thus eliminating the possibility that your house will fill with explosive gas and cause a secondary fire.
• Learning how to administer basic first aid, including CPR and resuscitation techniques, are all part of disaster preparedness training in the event of a life-threatening emergency. Although we tend to think of emergencies on a community or national level, even just learning the proper technique for the Heimlich Manuever (used when someone is choking) is all part of emergency preparedness training.
Have An Emergency Management Plan
Part of emergency preparedness training is simply putting together a plan for when it happens. Since life tends to throw surprises at you, it may not be the exact kind of emergency you've planned for when it happens—but that doesn't mean your planning will have been in vain. Whether the emergency is a man-made disaster or a natural one, there are certain elements that are common to every emergency. Needs like:
• Communication between leaders and coordination immediately following the disaster
• Evacuation plan (in the event of an earthquake or tornado, for example)
• A place for all loved ones to meet after the emergency is over
Employers: Emergency Preparedness Training
Businesses are required by law to have an emergency management plan in place in the event of an emergency. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration is the government agency tasked with ensuring that employers are up to date with all emergency preparedness training, and the degree to which a business is unprepared for an emergency is the degree to which property loss and even potentially loss of human life will be the consequence. The nation saw what could happen to a community if the emergency preparedness training is faulty when Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana in 2005. Massive failure of the dikes protecting the city caused floods which ended up making Katrina the most expensive hurricane ever in U.S. history with $108 billion in damage.
Having An Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Besides emergency preparedness training, it's a good idea to have emergency preparedness supplies somewhere near to your house in case emergency services don't arrive right away. You can make one of these yourself, or purchase one directly from a company that manufactures them. Make sure your emergency kit contains:
• Water or water purification tablets for a 3-day supply.
• Medical supplies for anyone with special health needs.
• A change of clothes for everyone in the household.
• A basic first aid kit.
• Cash and car keys (extra set).
• Flashlight with extra batteries.
Emergency Preparedness Training For Children
One good way to involve your kids in emergency preparedness training, while also tapping into their natural creativity, is to ask them what items they would include in an emergency preparedness supplies kit. By involving them in the process, they will have a better chance of remembering the things that are talked about and agreed upon. As a bonus, they may even add a few things to your kit you may not have thought of! The kids can also help with rotating food and perishable items in the kit, which is something most adults will overlook once they've prepared a kit.
An Emergency Preparedness Checklist: Communications
Since communicating with other affected family members is such an important part of any disaster preparedness training, it's a good idea to pick one or two relatives living in another state that the family can contact and let them know they're the go-to person. Make sure each family member has their phone number and contact information memorized. Having emergency telephone numbers posted up near the phone, as well as teaching the kids that 9-1-1 is the number to dial for any emergency, is another important step in emergency preparedness training.
