[KYHAM] KEN Training for Oct.: TERRORISM and You! Part 3

[Ron Dodson]

TERRORISM and You! Part 3: ACCEPTING THE RISK 
By Ron Dodson, KA4MAP
SEC Ky


"While any terrorist event is horrible, if I act with respect to my own
real risk and the probability that I, personally, will be affected, then
I can return to a more normal life. If I act as if each terrorist act
will be directed specifically at me, then I will hide, and collectively
we will all hide." - Terrorism and You -- The Real Odds. by Michael L.
Rothschild. November 2001.

Two months ago, I talked with you about being prepared to be treated AS
a security threat because you are an amateur radio operator and carry
what some may consider "suspicious" equipment.  Last month, we learned
that terrorism is something that is now a part of our lives. No one
really lives in a fortress which is invulnerable to terrorism. This
month, I want to address how you can ACCEPT THE RISK and become better
prepared for having done so. 

We must all face the fact that we live in a world of risk!  Some
examples: The odds of dying in an automobile accident each year are
about one in 7,000, yet people drive with little thought to accidents
each day. They speed, cut through traffic, drink and drive and all
manner of things which increase their risk of dying in a traffic
accident. Do they care?  No, not so you'd notice!

The odds of dying from heart disease in any given year are one in 400
and of dying from cancer one in 600, yet many of us refuse to exercise
or maintain a healthy diet. (I too, plead GUILTY to this one!) 

We have learned to live with these common threats to our health. Yet
people fear terrorism and acts of dark figures off to the side who may
or may not pose a serious threat except on rare occasion! Hurricanes
threaten the coastal areas each year, yet until Katrina's wake was
thrust into the headlines, no one serious became too upset and it all
seemed a matter of course to live with them. Why people do such things
is a source of great debate.  Likely because the threats we have on a
regular basis, we become "desensitized" to. The threats are there, we
just ignore them and consider them a normal part of life.  It just seems
to be human nature.  We must ACCEPT RISKS as a part of life or we would
become paranoid and scared to even go out of doors.  Psychologists
theorize people feel better when they know what to expect. Learning what
risks we face and how to deal with them is, in all probability, the best
way to handle it all.  

Many people already have looked at their community's hazard analysis and
even considered what can happen to them at home.  Some even went so far
as to actually set themselves up family disaster supplies kits.  Many
more people never have, maybe never will and should a disaster befall
them, will wonder why they are thirsty, hungry, cold or can't talk
because their radio has dead batteries! 

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_589_,00.html has an
excellent site on creating family disaster plans and
http://www.ready.gov/ is also quite helpful.  The Center for Disease
Control also has an excellent site with good info at:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/ .  Every household and business needs a copy of
"ARE YOU READY?" in its possession.  It can be accessed via the internet
at: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/ .

All these sources will give you information you need on terrorism and
all other hazards which may confront you or your family and community.
Knowledge is power! Knowing the risks can lead to accepting them and
being all the better prepared for having done so.  No amateur radio
operator can ever assist with any emergency situation so long as his or
her family has not prepared themselves for the calamity. If you are
worried about family concerns, your contributions to the overall effort
will be few.  Accepting the risks and preparing now will save a lot of
trouble later.