Don’t Wait to Prepare

“Government cannot do this alone. It takes the “whole community” to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster. This includes our neighborhood and condo associations, faith-based, volunteer, and civic organizations, schools, and the business community, as well as residents.” Tampa Bay Disaster Planning Guide

Having lived in Florida for 35 years, I’ve been through several hurricanes and managed to stay safe. The steps to prepare for a hurricane are similar to those of other disasters such as flooding or wildfires. The primary difference is the time afforded to prepare for a hurricane is days or even a week or more. In the case of flooding, blizzards, mudslides, wildfire, active shooter, earthquakes, and tsunamis, there is little to no warning at all. This means you have to have a plan in place at all times. Friends and family need to know the plan and remember what to do if a plan was created a year ago.

10 part series on disaster preparedness

The best time to plan is when you are not under stress, there is plenty of supplies to stockpile and people are easy to contact to consult and coordinate your plan. Scrambling at the last minute is what 99% of the population does. If you can be in the 1%, the outcome for you and your loved ones is significantly better.

Part of this planning process includes installing the Aftermath Data public safety mobile app. The AM app is changing how individual citizens can communicate before, during and after a local emergency or major regional disaster. Reading this blog indicates you have an interest in getting started in the planning and preparation cycle so let’s get started.

Source: Pasco County, FL Disaster Planning Guide. www.tampabayprepares.org
Download planning guide here.