Can one prepare for everything? This is a question that many ask. The answer is both yes and no – no because there are too many variables in what the future may bring, but the answer is yes if you look at events differently. If you prepare by looking at the components rather than focusing on the event itself you can be prepared for a multitude of different events. The components are the common needs that will be present at all events. We can identify them when we make our plan or checklist. You will find the differences between events will generally fall on external or environmental issues – the prevailing weather conditions. Common to most events, such as an ice storm, electric outage, flooding, or other events you will have one of two options, that is to stay or leave, also known as, Shelter in Place or Evacuation. First, look at sheltering in place which is basically staying at home as long as your house is habitable. The main component of sheltering-in-place preparedness centers on your food and water supplies and your house being habitable. Habitable also means that your house is not damaged by the event and you have a heat source if it is cold out and electricity or some other power source such as a generator or battery power supply. If your house is not habitable then your option is to evacuate. The best way to evacuate is to go to a relative or friend’s home that is in a safe location. The last resort is to go to a public shelter. When you run the numbers there is no way that any town can provide shelter for every person that resides in it. Probably a realistic number that our shelters can handle is somewhere between 5 and 10 percent of the full-time population. Once you identified the core components and have determined what you need to be prepared then focus on the differences between events, which we have already identified as external or environmental issues. You prepare for these by purchasing everyday items that have multiple uses. For example, purchase a raincoat that is large enough to wear over a jacket or sweater so you can use it in both warm and cold weather. Purchase hip boots to wear in flooding conditions and for your fishing trip, Also get them large enough to wear heavy socks in the winter. Most individuals and families will have most of what they need on hand to start with. Probably the only thing that most will need is to add several days of extra non-perishable food supplies to their pantry. Making a plan is simple when you consider we make plans all the time. Most of the plans are in our minds as we think over what we need to do before we do something, other times we make checklists or as many do cross off lists when we travel or go grocery shopping, whether it be what clothes to pack, what route to take, or what to purchase. We like checklists, whether it be a Do then Check off the list or Check and then Do the action type of List, either way, you get the same result – that is you are prepared for what you intend on doing. To learn more about the different things needed be prepared check out the preparedness links by clicking on the “Be Prepared” link at the top of the page and on the right-hand column.
