Article-A Convenient Truth

Article-A Convenient Truth March 2017

As I write this, Winter Storm Stella is moving out of the Eastern US area. Thousands were without power, and had been for at least a day. With a snowstorm, obviously temperatures are below freezing. I wonder, as I always do when any disaster occurs which causes a lot of damage and/or power loss-how many of those affected are dependent upon electricity for their health? For their lives?

A loss of power is very inconvenient for most, but is a very different situation for many. There are among us, and often living very near to us, those who are more vulnerable to harm. Although we each have our own vulnerabilities, most of us don’t depend on electricity to manage during a difficult time, and certainly not to live. That level of vulnerability is actually unthinkable for most of us. Most of us can get away from difficulty if the situation calls for it-but many cannot.

Do we tend to think about others when we are dealing with difficulty, or rather inconvenience, caused by a disaster? Even when managing life is relatively difficult for most of us if severe weather has crossed our paths, it is often an extreme situation, even life threatening, for many who have mobility limitations.

After speaking with others about the subject, I find that we often feel like there is no way to or have no idea how to assist someone else that may need it before or after a disaster-if we even take a moment to think of others at all. On the news we often do see people pitching in after a disaster, which is extremely helpful of course. But what are we not seeing on the news? Out of all of the news reports, are we hearing about those who perished who could not get away from the danger? Likewise, are we hearing about those who lost their electricity and who came very close to death before getting to a source of power at the last minute? How many other extreme examples could we list here? Examples where the situation, as bad as it may be for most, is extremely difficult for some?

What if a fairly simple step-as simple as going next door to check on your neighbor-is a main factor in surviving versus not surviving a weather event in the area? Not anything difficult or even time consuming, with no strings attached-just simply knocking on the door and saying, “Are you OK?” If you have done this before or have a plan to offer assistance in this way in the future if necessary, I thank you for your concern for the welfare of those around you.

Again, I’m not talking about a lot here. What am I talking about? Isn’t this as simple as the “networking” that we do on a daily basis? Reaching out to someone, at a very minimal level? We do that every day, we often simply do not reach out to those very near in vicinity to us. They may actually need you if something happens…and you may actually need them as well at some point. Again, this is not a lot of effort, and definitely does not need to entail any sort of commitment. Of course many have strong and dear relationships with their neighbors, and of course there is no need to worry in that case. But there is quite a different situation for many others.

This is also helpful on a macro level, for the community as a whole, and not just on a micro level. What am I talking about-what does that mean and what might that look like? What if, at a minimum, emergency planners and/or non-profit organizations who deal with emergencies and/or persons with access or functional needs, held weekly, monthly, or quarterly personal emergency plan workshops. At the workshops, those attending could be assisted by having the host walk them through their emergency plans, step by step. This would include helping them set up an emergency contact network, at the workshop, not waiting until after they go home and forget about it-just have them bring their address book! It also includes explaining to attendees how to build their emergency kit, incrementally if necessary-and giving them a tracking tool. Also include how to complete the overall emergency plan, using all of the available information from the web and the various resources readily available such as FEMA and the American Red Cross, as well as others. All of this planning is important for every man, woman and child. But isn’t it especially important for those who are more vulnerable?

Shouldn’t we just continue with the status quo and continue to allow those who are more vulnerable in disasters to plan for themselves? After all, information is available to everyone and it’s free. In talking with others with access or functional needs, I’ve found that often they do not plan for emergencies like most of us don’t, but for different reasons. They actually see the importance of emergency planning for themselves and their families, but they are often unclear about what additional planning needs to be done above what they already do every day to be prepared for emergencies. In addition, when others choose to plan for emergencies or not plan, because it is their prerogative, it’s understandable that many will choose not to plan. The same approach should be applied to all, right? But what if there were a minimal level of assistance available to those who are more vulnerable during disasters?

At a minimum, the local Emergency Management Agency or a local non-profit that deals with emergencies and/or persons with access or functional needs, could conduct workshops on a regular basis to specifically address establishing a personal emergency contact network, and emergency kit and plan for the public. A recommendation that I have with the program I’ve established, Safe and Sound on Solid Ground, is that for the emergency contact network the individual choose a nearest and next nearest neighbor that they know and trust to be those who check on them before and after a severe weather event. The individual would also include their caregiver and/or a nearby relative to their contacts list. The roles and responsibilities should be discussed before any emergency ever occurs. The roles and responsibilities are simply to check on the individual, if you are home. If power is lost or severe weather passes through the area, the neighbor and next nearest neighbor (for redundancy) will know about it! Another good idea is for the group to purchase a set of walkie-talkies that has an appropriate signal capability for the distances between group members-these are not a very expensive item. If power or phone signals are lost, these will work, as long as the batteries still have power.

I have begun a program like this already in my community where I hold a workshop at the local library and will also be doing the workshops at churches in the community. The workshops cost little to nothing for the host, depending on what you want to provide for attendees-about an hour of your time is the only minimal cost. I’ve seen for myself that those attending very much value the time that is spent assisting them in this nominal way-especially those who make up the large proportion of our population who are more vulnerable in disasters.

Those who are more vulnerable around us value this type of program. Because they deal with emergency preparedness on a daily basis, any additional assistance, understanding and knowledge that can be given is very much appreciated and heeded. Consider starting a program like this in your community-a few small steps could actually pay great dividends, it could save life. This is the convenient truth-sometimes it doesn’t take much to make a big difference.

If you are interested in more information or tips on setting up your own program, I am always available if you would like to contact me. Please visit the contact page at my website at www.adminanalysis.com, or call 334-524-7438, or email me at Contact@adminanalysis.com. I look forward to assisting you with setting up your program!

Thanks for reading, and I wish you the best on your local programs!

Deborah Link, MS (EM)

Owner, Admin Analysis, LLC

Safe and Sound on Solid Ground is a program which was created and implemented under Admin Analysis, LLC. More information can be obtained at the website www.adminanalysis.com. This is a free program for the whole community to be better prepared for disasters and thereby become more resilient.

“This is what I command you: love one another.” John 15:17