Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

A disaster is a crisis situation causing wide spread damage which far exceeds our ability to recover. The goal of Emergency and Disaster Preparedness is to reduce the impact of damage created by a disaster (Thirunavukarasu, n.d.).  Another goal of Emergency and Disaster Preparedness is to reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with (Thirunavukarasu, n.d.).  To a family or individual, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness means taking the steps to prepare for and survive a threat. 

In order to prepare for disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), recommends creating a safety or emergency kit.  This kit can be used if your family is trapped inside the house, cannot use roadways to get to stores, or in case of injury and can make a huge difference during an emergency.  A basic emergency kit should include: one gallon of water per person per day for three days, non-perishable food for each person for three days, battery powered or hand crank radio and extra batteries, flashlights for each person and extra batteries, first aid kit, whistle, filter mask or a cotton t-shirt for each person, moist towlettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties, wrench or pliers, manual can opener, plastic sheeting and duct tape, important family documents, daily prescription medicine, other things include diapers/formula for babies and special need items.  Typically a three day supply of food and water is the minimum recommendation, having a larger supply means longer survival (Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA), n.d.).  Small comfort items can be added like a few toys for children, a candy bar, or a book to read.  These small items that do not take up much space can come in handy to increase moods during survival time. 

Federal Emergency Management Agency. Build-a-kit. Retrieved on January 18, 2012 from               http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.

Thirunavukarasu, B. An integrated approach to emergency management. Retrieved on January 18, 2012 from http://www.icm.tn.gov.in/article/disaster.htm