With all the recent disasters the world has seen, it makes me want to be ready for the worst. In a report done by FEMA in 2012, there were 112 major disaster, emergency, and fire management assistance declarations. In 2011 there were 242. These are disasters like Earthquakes, Floods, Volcanic Eruptions, Tornados, Tsunamis, Wildfires, Droughts, Hailstorms, Heat Waves, Hurricanes, Epidemics, Famine, Mudflows, Solar Flares and other disasters.
Just think of all the people who were affected by Hurricane Sandy when it hit the East coast, or the wildfires in the Western United States. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a plan in place just in case you are the one hit next?
When I plan for emergency preparedness, I plan to be prepared for a three-day, three-month and a year emergency. Where I live in Utah, the most common disasters I need to prepare for are earthquakes, wildfires, getting snowed in, and drought. An epidemic, war and economic collapse could happen anywhere. In planning emergency preparedness for my family I have taken these things into consideration.
Three Day
My three-day emergency preparedness consists of 72-hour kits for my baby, wife and I. These contain basic essentials that can fit in a backpack and last three days. This is the first and most important emergency preparedness item to check off the list when planning an emergency preparedness plan for your family.
Three Month
A three-month supply should consist of all the day-to-day items your family uses in a normal three months time. Toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, ketchup, ranch, canned fruit and vegetables are a few of the things that I make sure I have a three-month supply of.
If an emergency struck and you couldn’t go to the grocery store for three months then you would be fine if you had your three-month supply. It is easy to build this supply a little at a time. As you find good deals buy enough to last three months. When you use up a bottle of mayo buy a new one and put it in the back of the line to rotate through your food.
Year Supply
In the Bible, Egypt experienced seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and set aside one fifth from each of the years of plenty to be prepared. Those who didn’t save a supply of food quickly ran out of money buying food as the prices rose. The next year they sold all of their livestock for food and the next year, they sold their land. Lucky for them, Joseph had enough for all of them and saved their lives for the next few years.
Whether you believe in the Bible or not, a year supply is a good idea. A good year supply consists of long lasting food. Wheat, rice, beans, water and other canned stores are things that have a long shelf life. Essential equipment you might need throughout the year is also important. For example, a space heater is necessary if you live in cold climates. A camp stove to cook your food is essential year round. A generator for electricity is fundamental.
Thinking back on the hurricane Sandy victims. If food, water, a heater and stove had been prepared for an emergency like this, then it would not have been as bad of a disaster for those people. Emergencies are inevitable for everyone; it is just a matter of when that it will happen for you. Everyone should be prepared for the worst to prevent the worst.
Authored by Steven Cooper Google
