Emergency Preparedness Plan

**Rick** · 03-23-2011, 07:43 PM

We spend a lot of time talking about what we should do to prepared for emergencies but have you taken the time to document the step by step actions others should take in your absence? Let's face it, if a disaster is going to strike it will happen at the worst possible time. You might be 100 miles away and your family is home alone. Do they know what to do? Have you shared your knowledge with them or created action plans that should be implemented?

As an example: Hanging above the transfer switch is a set of instructions for transferring the house to generator should commercial power fail. It also provides details about refilling the fuel tank on the generator. I had my wife walk through the instructions and transfer the house over to generator. We run monthly tests and she can make the change even if I'm not here.

If your family is dependent upon you to get them through the next disaster then you have failed a crucial part of your planning. Your family should be as well versed as you are in what to do and/or have access to step by step instructions should they need them.

Just some food for thought.

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 03-23-2011, 07:46 PM

Great Post Rick! Thing is yeah everything is dependant on me and I can't change that much. I am doing everything I can, but your thread sure makes me think!

**Rick** · 03-23-2011, 07:52 PM

If you're a single parent then you might think out of the box for the safety of your kiddies. You don't have to reveal any details on here but I assume she is with someone when not at school and you are at work. What has that person done to ensure her protection. Do they know where to take shelter, how to turn off gas and electricity? Do they know first aid? There are a lot of things those who help you can do if you're not there.

And she's old enough to take a simple first aid course. Check with your local hospital or Red Cross. The classes are around $35 or so.

**Rick** · 03-24-2011, 07:02 AM

Thanks, sjj. I think it's terribly important, too. Hanging a fire extinguisher doesn't do much good if no one in your family knows the proper way to use it or you lose your house because they didn't know how to turn off the gas. You can spend as much money on gear or as much time in the field as you want but if the rest of your family can't function when you are gone then you have some work to do.

**OhioGrizzLapp** · 03-24-2011, 07:39 AM

Great and meaningful post Rick...thank you...rep sent

**your_comforting_company** · 03-24-2011, 07:52 AM

Thankfully the water and electricity here are very simple and very easily accessible. Don't worry about individual breakers, turn off the MAINs. My wife also knows how to do it for a few of the neighbors houses too, so once OUR house is secure and IF everyone here is safe, we can look out for each other in the neighborhood too.

This came up at just the right time as there were recently two mild earthquakes in N. AL. Most of the houses in our neighborhood are on pilings, so being able to shut off the utilities could be a major factor in saving lives or at the very least making it safer for rescuers to come in and help. Tornados are a more realistic threat in my area at least, and knowing where to go for safety, where to meet after the storm, and what to do to help others is critical in community rescue efforts.

**Winnie** · 03-24-2011, 09:02 AM

When Winnie jnr finally left home, he made me a what to do if..., folder. It has all the stuff you mentioned plus emergency numbers. All the pages have been laminated. I copied it and now have one indoors and one in the shed. Attached to both are a key for the gas, and a water turn off tool(not sure what they're called!)

**Pal334** · 03-24-2011, 11:12 AM

Good post. I have always kept my kids and by extension my wife in the loop on the "around the house" preps, to include as you mentioned utilities issues.They all know how to fire up the generator (we use extensions, not a hardwire system) use the lamps etc. I have noticed that more and more of the neighbors (godsons parents included) are getting involved in the local CERT. That is a good sign, since they are becoming aware of hazards and really opening their eyes as to preparations

**TangoFoxtrot** · 05-08-2011, 09:26 AM

Even a poor plan is better than no plan.

**aflineman** · 05-08-2011, 10:13 AM

We have been going over the everyday stuff both here and at my MIL's home. Shut-offs and where tools, tarps, nails, lumber is stored. Simple things, but important since I am not here most days to take immediate action. Kind of gratifying as my Kids asked where stuff was. Seems the local schools have been going over some of this stuff at the behest of teachers. Many of them have lived through various disasters. With the disasters that have been in the news lately, they got the school board to let them teach some basic stuff and pass out some fliers. Not anything really specific, but some good basic info that has got the kids thinking.

**Rick** · 05-08-2011, 02:53 PM

that is good to hear. I've said it before but most things are like a clock pendulum. Bad things happen so everyone gets on the preparedness band wagon. Then things go along pretty well and the pendulum begins to swing back toward the unprepared side until we find ourselves in the full scope of disaster completely unprepared then the pendulum begins to swing back toward the preparedness side. Safety is that way, too. The trick is to never let the pendulum swing back to the bad side.