First there was 9/11, then Katrina and Rita. We’ve all seen the pictures, and heard the horror stories of what happened when people were caught unable to keep their families operating even for a few hours. Some of this was unavoidable. After all if your home is under 20 feet of flood water, or just plain gone you need an immediate place to be etc. But if your biggest problem is the electricity is out, your probably going to have to wait. This is where preparing our homes and families makes a big difference in how well they get through a disaster.



Naturally during such times we depend on first responders from government, and groups such as the American Red Cross to come to our aid. They do so, and usually they do so very well. But getting help to those that need it during a large scale emergency takes time, and everybody can’t be first. So each individual, and family must be able to do what they can to prepare themselves for the first hours or days following a disaster. Currently the Department of Homeland Security recommends that American households aim to be self sufficient for up to 72 hours following a disaster. Those 72 hours allows your family to function while additional resources are brought in to finish the job.

One of the hardest things for someone recovering from a disaster to understand is why does it take so long to get them the help they need ? Admittedly during Katrina/Rita mistakes were made that slowed response, especially at the federal level. However even when the response effort runs perfectly (it never does) response can only be accomplished so fast. I want to look at a few reasons why.

1) The situation must be evaluated. Every disaster is different. Emergency responders never exactly know what they are dealing with until after the disaster has already happened or is happening. How many homes are flooded ? How many without power ? How many roads are blocked/ damaged. All these questions need to be answered before we even know how much of what kind of help needs to be where. Prior history can give us some idea but there are always surprises. Obviously fires and other immediate threats to life must be dealt with immediately at the same time as this evaluation process is ongoing.

2) Our first Responders had a disaster too ! The same flooded roads, power outages etc. that are making your life miserable are slowing down the ability of first responders to get you the help you need. Granted they do have larger trucks, and other equipment that helps, but it still may take them longer than usual to get to you, and there is only so much of it.

3) Volume of Service Requests. Most first response agencies are used to dealing with situations involving a handful of people at once. During a disaster they deal with hundreds or thousands of people needing help all at once. Everybody can’t be first. Priorities have to be set, and they are constantly changing. Add to this the “dual use of equipment" Some places use fire trucks to rescue people who are flooded, and need to be evacuated. However if a fire breaks out when the fire truck is on its way to you, obviously the fire truck will be diverted to the fire.

4) Outside help is not immediate ! FEMA/Department of Homeland Security are not 911 ! State and federal agencies do plan ahead. Often they have people and supplies on alert if there is advance notice. However these resources must be staged a great distance away. This is so they will not accidentally get caught up in the disaster itself. Don’t forget that during Hurricane Rita projected landfall changed from Houston to Beaumont with less than 24 hours before landfall. Some people who evacuated to the Beaumont area actually got caught in the brunt of the storm instead ! Agencies at the federal level also have to wait for local governments to tell them how much of what kinds of help are needed.

Even in the best of circumstances those who respond in times of crisis are going to need time to get to everybody. Extra bottled water, extra batteries, food that doesn’t need to be cooked aren’t just good ideas during hurricane season. Other things happen too. In fact these simple steps we take 6 months out of every year would help a lot in the event of a bio-terrorism attack etc. . I’ve been telling people for years that it is always hurricane season ! Preparedness is essential for the safety of our families. No matter what the weather, no matter what the time of year preparedness simply must become a part of our common culture. It must become that basic to all of us.