11 October 2005
How prepared is the public
for a disaster? I thought I was ready for almost anything. I have
batteries and flashlights in my home, (I'm not sure where), even some
oil lamps out in the garage (behind the gardening stuff) which I've
pulled out for blackouts in the past. My can opener stands ready in my
kitchen drawer and cans of tuna are in the pantry. I even have a big
bottle of water in the fridge for emergencies, (which happens to need
refilling).After 9/11/01
the President of the United States told us we should all be prepared for
disasters or terrorists attacks. We should all have 72 hour emergency
packs ready to go. They should include first aid items, plastic and duct
tape for our windows, food, a battery powered radio with fresh
batteries, and other such emergency items. So here we are in 2005. I did
a quick survey of my neighbors and found out they are just as prepared
as I am. A couple had plywood for their windows and one had a
generator. No one remembered Pres. Bush advising us on being prepared
for emergencies. They were just doing what people in the Gulf Coast area
have always done, they stay tuned to the news and follow the advice of
the local weatherman.
February '05, my son and I joined
CAP. My husband would do the "camping" thing with my son and I would go
to the meetings. That was the arrangement until I became the PAO and
started observing people at Delta during training meetings and SAREX's.
I started seeing the bigger picture. These volunteers were honing
their skills in constant preparation for when they are called to duty.
After Katrina, CISM teams were sent into Louisiana and Mississippi to
help those who were there to help. I heard stories about the people who
had been helped, as well as, how putting action to the years of training
had made CAP members feel. Then came Rita.
Rita was heading for Houston. Houston
was heading anywhere else. CAP members? They were ready for a post-Rita
disaster. The rally point, set; generators, ready to power the radios;
planes, safely out of Rita's path. Group 13, Texas Wing, hosted the
center of operations and held everything together, while air crews and
ground teams from around Texas and the nation flew sorties over the
disaster zone. CAP was hailed by the Air Force while the media, once
again, barely noticed. The public is still clueless and unprepared. Me?
I'm putting together 72 hour emergency gear and taking the steps
necessary for whatever may come next. After all, isn't it my
responsibility to be prepared?
Article written by 2d Lt Mary Ureke |
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