By now just about everyone of us has been affected by a disaster of some sort, whether it has been a several day stranding
by a blizzard or loss of electricity from hurricane Isabel, or a major disaster like 911 or hurricane Katrina. We all
are concerned that a terrorist attack with a dirty bomb or bioweapon will cause us to hunker down for a few days while the
experts stabilize things. Are you and your family prepared? Does your neighborhood have a plan to help each other
and help protect your families and properties? What do you really know about these threats?
The answers to these questions are easily available and can be implemented with reasonable effort. I recommend
you concentrate on education and your family plan first.
Your first stop should be the Montgomery County site - it is excellent and
has the advantage of providing information about the local services and contacts. It also provides a nice summary
about bioterrorism, the Shelter-in-Place program, and caring for frail and handicapped people.
Another nice site is the Red Cross website. They have a good list for preparing the
3 to 5 day emergency kit.
For Neighborhood plans, I recommend the 3 STEPS plan designed
by a group in Provo, UT. It is a well designed, relatively easy to implement plan that shows you how to build a community
and give people a sense of security and peace. Many cities have adopted this plan. A good summary is available
on the net and the entire 60 page booklet is available for a nominal fee of $5 (although you may not need it since the summary gives you
a pretty good idea of what needs to be done).
Be sure to secure a record of your financial records - this may be one of your most
important preparations. Review the last two articles and make sure you secure your records in multiple locations.
