Emergency Preparedness: How To Ensure You Are Prepared

Emergency preparedness is the buzz words from June 1 to November 30 if you live in the Hurricane Belt. Hurricane centres are on the ball and throughout the hurricane season, they keep us abreast and issue tropical storm and hurricane warnings, watches, and hits.

Hurricanes In Review

We have had some real devastating hurricanes in my lifetime.

1980’s

• Hurricane Gilbert ripped through Jamaica in 1988.
• In the following year, 1989, Hurricane Hugo created a $7 billion destructive path through the Caribbean and parts of the USA.

1990’s

• Hurricane Andrew simply walloped South Florida in 1992.

2000’s

• Eastern Caribbean islands of Grenada and Barbados along with Alabama got battered by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
• Who can forget Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
• Cuba and Louisiana got pounded by Hurricane Gustav in 2008.
• In 2011 Hurricane Irene took a march across the USA from south to east.
• Superstorm Sandy in 2012 left over 100 persons dead in her wake.
• In 2017 Hurricane Irma decimated the Leeward Islands and in the same year Hurricane Harvey came swinging its hammer leaving in its wake over $120 billion in damages.
• Less than two years ago in 2019 we watched Hurricane Dorian sit on top the islands of the Bahamas and refused to move.

With all these storms, and this is just a handful, one would think we would always be prepared, right?

A Call To Preparedness

The preparedness story may be different where you live, but in Jamaica, our level of emergency preparedness is woefully lacking. Jamaicans always cry about not having money but let a storm warning come, you wouldn’t believe the lines to the grocery stores. (Talk truth) Our (Jamaicans) definition of emergency preparedness is, buy out the supermarket and every grocery store, just before the storm hits.  My fellow Jamaicans, we need to be better prepared than this.

Every year the government embarks on a Hurricane Preparedness Campaign around May, but do we take heed? Is this sufficient time though to be preparing for an emergency? Don’t you think emergency preparedness should be ongoing?

Over the years we have translated emergency preparedness to mean hurricane preparedness and herein lies the problem. So if there should be a fire, flash flood, shortage, or outage and we are not prepared, then what?

Our level of preparedness affects how quickly we recover. There are things that the government is expected to take care of, but this post will take an inward look – how prepared are we (our households) for an emergency?

Now, I will acknowledge that there have been some uncommon, unprecedented emergencies in recent times, which caught many of us “off guard”. Truth is, the term “off guard” tells us that we should have been “on our guard”, we should be prepared (albeit, as best as possible).

Two weeks ago Tropical Storm Elsa passed through with rain, rain, and more rain. Guess what happened? Flood, flood, and more flood. Blocked drains (debris and vegetation), collapsed waterways, swelling rivers, and landslides resulted in rising water levels – dramatic footage was all over the media.

Growing up, I was a Brownie and then a Girl Guide, so “be prepared” is part of my psyche. My dears, Elsa showed me that I needed to UP my emergency preparedness game. Are you perhaps in the same “reality” boat?

Emergency Preparedness – On the move

The flooding that came with Elsa brought 3 important activities that were not really on my emergency preparedness list.

1. Bug out bag

2. Emergency evacuation route

3. Important papers in one place and in waterproof material

In an emergency that requires us to move quickly, this is really what we need.

1) Bug out Bag

This is a bag with your emergency supplies packed and ready to be strapped to your back (or throw in your vehicle) and go. Get a backpack for each family member. I would suggest different colours so we know whose bag is whose because they may be stacked with items specific to the individual. (Please remember to prep a bag for the baby as well.) In each bag, pack at least 3 days’ emergency supplies. Here are a few things to include:

• EMERGENCY: Flashlight (with extra batteries); Battery operated or crank radio; Matches; Fire starter; Sturdy black garbage bags; Multifunctional tool like a Swiss Army knife; Nylon rope; Duct tape; Glow sticks; Charger; Portable battery bank;
• FOOD: Easy food packs – little or no cooking required; Baby food; Bottles/Pouches of water – one gallon per person, per day; Eating untensils; Can opener
• HYGIENE: Baby wipes; Tissue; Deodorant; Toothbrush; Toothpaste; Soap
• FIRST AID: Band aid, bandages, OTC medication, bug/insect ointment,  rubbing alcohol, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, safety pins, etc. (when combined, it makes a larger kit for the family and perhaps to help others); Medication (and prescription), Inhalers, EpiPens; Masks (N95 preferably); Sanitiser; Glow sticks
• CLOTHING: Baby cloths; Baby diapers; Change of clothes; Underwear; Blanket; Rain gear; Sturdy shoes; Gloves (latex and hard);
• OTHER: Whistle; Sewing kit; Pen/Pencil and paper (adults and children); Paper map; Cash; Information card – name, number, emergency contact

With a bag like this, you are better prepared for the worst. Your emergency preparedness go-bag is ready for the move-out. Be sure to keep it locked and loaded.

2) Emergency Evacuation Route

My dears, I have to be honest, I have no clue what the evacuation route out of my community is. I have been meaning to figure it out, but alas, I haven’t. Time to phone a friend and go find the route.

This then leads to another question, once we get out, do we know where you are headed – emergency shelter (do you know where they are located), family member (do they know they are part of your evacuation plan), or a hotel (is there availability)?

3) Important Documents

Keep these together in a binder or plastic folder or Ziploc bag or whatever waterproof container you have available. So Rona V, what are some of these “important” documents?

• Birth and death certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Family members information
• Insurance documents (life, home, car)
• Passports
• Bank account numbers
• Credit/Debit card numbers
• Emergency contact numbers
• Educational certificates
• Family pictures and keepsakes

Keep your emergency document packet in a dry safe area. When it’s time to move, throw it in your Bug Out Bag and go.

Emergency Preparedness – Staying in

Everything you need for “on the go” you will also need to stay in (+plus). Here is a list of some additional emergency preparedness items/supplies you should have on hand.

• EMERGENCY: In your hurricane kit, you will need batten down supplies – board, shutters, nails, hammer, ropes, sand bags; Different batteries for electronic devices; Plastic sheeting; Drop cloths; Pocket knife; Garbage bags; Candles; Fire extinguisher; Small shovel; Axe; Generator; Tarp
• FOOD: Can goods of all sorts and other non-perishable foods (that your family will eat); Water, water purifying supplies; Camping stove (with fuel); Igloo; Disposable plates, cups and utensils
• HYGIENE: Bleach and other disinfectants
• FIRST AID: First aid kit
• CLOTHING: Warmers (if you are in a cold climate); Reflective gear (if this can fit in your Bug out Bag, put it in); Extra clothing;
• OTHER: Family emergency plan; Board or card games; Two-way radio; Fill gas tanks (home and car); Keep yard trimmed (trees, shrub, grass); Pet food

The emergency preparedness lists may seem daunting (by the way, they are by no means exhaustive), but we are not expected to get everything in one purchase. It is less strain on our pockets if we get our emergency supplies over time instead of in a rush.

Emergency preparedness is not about “set it and forget it”. From time to time, check your supplies to ensure everything works, nothing has expired, everything is up-to-date, and everything that should be there is there.

Oh, put a little extra in your supplies that you could help someone. 😉

The hurricane season has just started, but emergencies can happen at any time. Take the information in this post and do a self-audit. Where are those changes needed in your emergency preparedness plan?

Let’s BE PREPARED!

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