Dear editor,
It has been 6 months since we had the first of two live earthquake/tsunami drills. Did you make plans to “Get better prepared”? I know I did.
This week is Emergency Preparedness Week and it is time to check in.
What have we done? I have a few things on my list left to do. This week will be a good time to get them checked off.
A couple of months ago I took a few minutes and made a family plan. Now I need to share it with my family and the people I have chosen to be emergency contacts. It is time to rotate the emergency food supply in our family emergency kit in a large garbage can on wheels located in the front closet. And I would love to do a family drill to see if our plan is going to work or need modifying.
I admire the Volunteer Fire Departments who meet each week. They spend time practicing their plans, developing and mastering skills and working side by side in full gear, ‘going through the motions’ so that in the event they are paged out on a call they instinctively know what to do. They are a great example to follow.
Our schools have earthquake, fire and lock down drills throughout the year so that they know how to react in a situation. I don’t think my family will be thrilled with the idea of doing a drill each week but if you happen to see us outside one evening with our large emergency can kit standing together by the street you’ll know we have made time to have a drill of our own.
Cori Neilson
Mount Waddington Emergency Program Coordinator