[PBARC] Disaster planning and preparation

[E Glenn Wolf Jr]

All –

Some good information from Dale –

73, 
glenn

"When disasters happens, we want to be as well prepared as we can," the
county judge said. "We will probably all be cut off by collapsed bridges,
and we need to be able to take care of ourselves for at least 10 to
14 days." 

The more individuals are prepared to fend for themselves for a while, the
less pressure there will be immediately on emergency responders. 

"People need to be prepared to depend on themselves," Dollars said. If an
earthquake happens "they may not see anyone for several days." 

Family plans 

Maxwell said every family ought to have a disaster pack and a family plan
for any emergency that may arise. 

The first thing is to have a place to meet, the ADEM director said, and be
sure each family member has telephone numbers that they can call to let
relatives or friends away from the area, know what happened and how they
are. 

Families should go to the designated place -- front yard, side yard or
wherever, immediately and take stock before preceding to another area. 

A lot of people were separated from families for months after the Katrina
disaster because of a lack of any kind of planning or of a designated place
to meet or call, the official said. He also suggested that copies of any
medical records, important papers and other necessary information be put in
a separate place, possibly an out-of-town or out-of-state relative. 

Maxwell said all members of his family have waterproof laminated cards with
family member phone numbers in Virginia Beach and El Paso. 

The supplies kit should include food, water, medicines, baby food, special
diet items and anything else important to sustain household members for at
least 10 days. 

Maxwell said other state disaster plans include a pilot project called
"Sister County" in which an Eastern Arkansas County, as an example, would
pair with a Western Arkansas County. Each of the county disaster
preparedness and leaders would share information about each county that
would be valuable knowledge in event a disaster strikes. 

Mississippi County has paired with Benton County, he said. 

Major disasters usually devastate infrastructure, including communications
and electricity. The state's new state Arkansas Wireless Information Network
(AWIN) radio system has already proven its worth, but after an earthquake
satellite phones and amateur radio may be the only functioning forms of
communication. 

Another thing in short supply in a disaster is cash. Following Katrina, it
was days and even weeks before those affected by the hurricane could obtain
even small amounts of cash.