A Word About Disaster Preparedness

A Word About Disaster Preparedness

Emergency Management Once Removed

September 20, 2024

By Jim Mullen

In presenting this, I draw on my many years of association with the preeminent community preparedness expert of our time, Dr. LuAn Johnson, whose work in Seattle, Washington, and the Washington State Emergency Management Division has achieved national and international acclaim.

No one enjoys contemplating the potential loss, disruption and  long-term uncertainty a major disaster brings.

Whether it is a household, a neighborhood, a workplace, or school, it’s important to understand what might be done to mitigate (i.e. minimize the negative consequences of a disaster), reduce risk both short and long-term, and respond productively in the moment. That awareness is the essence of what is frequently called a resilient community.

Some disasters can be foreseen – weather events can spring up suddenly, but many of the worst, like hurricanes are detectable in advance. Earthquakes, and tornados  are less predictable, but certainly can be mitigated and prepared for in advance with some forethought.

Each profession, each household has unique concerns that would become paramount in an emergency situation. We can’t predict all of them but given the known hazards that exist in various regions, there are some important common categories of preparedness, mitigation, response and ultimately recovery that individuals and companies have a shared interest in promoting.

The first acknowledgment in addressing gaps in disaster preparedness is that some matters are best tended to on an individual basis – that is, accepting personal responsibility to firming up plans for schools, workplace, home, etc. Preserving legal documents (ownership of home, vehicles, insured items),assuring medication and medical requirements are documented,  are among those. Local emergency management offices have guides for citizens to assist, many offer programs and seminars to schools and businesses and to individuals and families.

To consider what you need to do to protect yourself, your job, your families and business it is important to review what type of incident and loss would impact your future, and then take steps to minimize the likelihood of the worst case happening.

A second “must” is to not expect to have to dwell on an impending crisis every single moment – the most prepared folks are those who over time, perhaps months, make a point of reviewing their readiness and building what some call “a culture of preparedness”  – for example, with building trades professionals it’s critical to the entire society that those personal measures are in place so the rebuilding can begin once the immediate crisis has passed. Medical professionals, public safety personnel, even those professions that seemingly would have little role in an immediate disaster response all need to be prepared to assist, or at least not become part of the problem, if possible.

Preparedness is a serious objective, but it need not be a somber endeavor – knowing that a successful step has occurred should be cause for at least mild celebration, and prompt additional efforts.  It’s a marathon, not a sprint , and slow and steady can yield tremendous benefits to individuals and the greater society.