Preparedness Resolutions

The Christmas hustle and bustle is behind us by a few days; I hope it was a joyful and happy time for you and your family. I always find the week after Christmas to be kind-of a quiet time; a time to relish the calm after the wonderful holiday storm; a time to look ahead to the new year. Next year, coming so quickly, is a page yet unwritten, and we don’t know the joys or sorrows it will bring. As you take a few moments to reflect on the things you’d like to have or be or accomplish in the next 12 months, I encourage you to include preparedness in your list of New Year’s Resolutions.
It seems that not just Americans have preparedness goals, but America itself. FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) recently releasing to the press its own Goal, a national preparedness strategy. This is in response to a directive by President Obama last April asking them to make a plan for preventing or mitigating natural and human-made disasters in our country. Marc Armbinder, a reporter for the National Journal wrote, “On Friday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which coordinates this national preparedness strategy, is releasing what it calls the Goal - a list of major identified threats and the type of actions the government can take to meet them. A full copy can be found… on FEMA's website. The Goal, obtained by National Journal, relies heavily on cooperation among state, local and federal governments, and boosts the roles and responsibilities of the private sector. It also envisions a change in the way the public views disasters: Americans have to prepare to be resilient” (Ambinder, 2011).
I’ve been saying all along that we need to be prepared to be resilient. We have to take care of ourselves because in a serious emergency, there aren’t enough First Responders to take care of everybody. Chances are really good that you’ll be waaaaay down on the list of priorities (and that’s a list you don’t want to be at the top of!)
Disasters are not the only thing you need to be prepared for. Remember the four areas of preparedness: Worst Case Scenarios, Provident Living, Emergency Preparedness, and 72-hour Survival. Each one of these areas needs your attention. So, while it’s good to get your flashlights and propane stoves, etc., don’t forget to set a few goals in other areas also. Make a plan to set aside money for a rainy day, or stock up on some long-term storage items. Start a 72-hour kit, even if you just begin with what you have on hand and put it in a cardboard box. These are all good starts.
We all hope this year is prosperous and calm, but there’s no guarantee. Set a few goals now to help yourself be prepared.
Works Cited
Ambinder, M. (2011, October 07). Obama issues preparedness goals. Retrieved January 03, 2012, from Government Executive: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1011/100711preparedness.htm