When a disastrous event strikes, emergency planners can often predict how extensive the damage will be and how difficult recovery will be based on two variables: vulnerability and resources.
Both communities and individuals can be at risk of unsuccessful disaster recovery.
Learn how to create and execute your disaster plan by (1) making yourself less vulnerable and (2) becoming resource independent.
Step 1. Make yourself less vulnerable
Emergency planning is essential for preparing for potential disaster. Vulnerability is something that you should understand when choosing your living situation or working to improve it. For example, does your house or apartment meet earthquake standards? Is it built in a vulnerable area, such as near a dam that could break, or partially hanging off a ledge in a high frequency earthquake zone? Take the time to learn about key vulnerabilities and work to improve your situation.
One often overlooked way to reduce vulnerability is to make sure your personal information is secure and accessible, even in the event of disaster. If your filing cabinet was destroyed, along with all your key records, passport, insurance documents, medical information, etc., it would be difficult for you to recover the lost information quickly, and some of it could be lost for good.
Step 2. Become resource independent
Resources are something that you can acquire and save ahead of time, before you are confronted with a problem. Remember that there will not be nearly enough resources to address everyone’s problems in the event of a disaster, but you can be self-sufficient by having thought through your home emergency preparedness plan. Gather an emergency kit of basic essentials. There are several government sources (such as Ready.gov and Fema.gov) that provide a list of the essential items you will need.
By mitigating the risks of vulnerability and lack of resources, you and your family may feel more prepared and may even be in a place where you can help others—serving as part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.
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