PRESENTATION: Three Response Strategies and Networking

The information herein is useful to all ages, but is directed toward seniors -- because our age group suffers disproportionately more injuries and fatalities in disasters.

I can attest to this from personal experience in 3 Earthquakes and 3 Civil Riots AND from searching out Lessons Learned from each national disaster. 

In all disasters I have studied, missteps -- primarily, communication breakdowns -- were made among the professionals that cost senior lives. The most dramatic is the final report about the Maui fire, made public in October 2024, revealing that 75% of fatalities were age 64 or older.  It is heartbreaking.

However, the primary reasons our age group suffers disproportionately comes down to US.  First, many of us older people are often NOT prepared at all; or, second, if we have of a kit, it is likely insufficient and inappropriate for our aging needs; and third, most seniors are not networked with younger, stronger neighbors who care, living on their same street, or connected to community or religious groups committed to include them.

I have organized my presentation NOT to address the likely emergency events we could experience, but rather the types of Responses that are relevant in any number of emergencies. 

1. Evacuating On-Foot to escape a damaged home and/or join up at a Gathering Place.
2. Evacuating by Auto—in our area, most likely it would be to escape wildfire; (see topic below)
3. Sheltering at Home, in your house or on your property; (see topic below)
4. And in all cases, Being Networked.

You may not know the 96-hour emergency kit has replaced the 72-hour kit; and in fact, professionals tell us that we should be prepared to meet our own needs for 120 hours – that’s 5 days and nights, perhaps longer.  Trust this motto: We are the HELP, until HELP arrives.  

Preparation is a personal responsibility that we never age out of. Once created, our kits require an annual review to evaluate and refresh.  Semi-annual is even better.  

Evacuation on Foot

On-Foot Evacuation is my primary concern for those of us who are aging; there is not much instruction for us on how to prepare to evacuate our home and walk to our nearest community gathering places WITH enough appropriate and essential supplies. 

Do you know the location of you gathering place?  As an example, the community of Canyon Rim in the city of Millcreek will gather at/on the grounds of Rosecrest Elementary or the Canyon Rim Academy grounds. 

In an emergency I wear a 72-hour kit.  (Goodwill, D.I.) This vest has 7 pockets in front and one large one in the back. My pants have 6 pockets.  I have water, sanitation supplies (pet poo bags and collection plastic bags), meds, energy bars, emergency whistle, a few hygiene items, plastic poncho, lip balm, hand sanitizer, lotion, pencil and small notebook that fits in a pocket. 

Under my clothing I am wearing a MONEY BELT with compartments. (Travel Store). In it I have cash (small bills), ID, Insurance and other financial information, some medications, keys to house, auto, safety deposit box.  Additional pen and paper.

By placing a light weight, compartmented CROSSOVER bag (Amazon Prime.com) I am now wearing a 96-hour kit: More water, more bags to gather my own solid waste (big box stores, or Hardware store), TP, hand sanitizer, more energy bars supplies, a few more basic first-aid and hygiene items, important papers, cell phone and power bank, charger cord. I also carry a collapsible cup.  I have a smaller crossover bag I could use instead to add more essentials – just not as many.

By adding my GROMMET BELT, (Goodwill) I upgrade my kit to 120 hours by adding more water, more sanitation bags, more food bars. You see the theme.  I can also add a useful first aid kit, flash light, battery operated radio, small water purification filter, self-defense spray, masks, and anything else I can hang. While it might not “be pretty” it allows me sustain myself for 5 days. 

As an alternative to the belt, a large fanny pack with lots of compartments would work with compartments and be strong enough that you could hang items from the belt portion.  A lightweight backpack would work also but is less convenient to access.  Keep a few things near at hand, like emergency whistle, hand sanitizer, water, sanitation bags, lip balm and a good quality lotion.  

BUT I am missing some key items:  

I cannot carry sufficient water, sheltering, cold weather clothes, sleep gear, mess gear, etc., on my body.  So. . . .

I have “Wheels.” They are the primary component of my sustainable kit for 2 aging adults with health limitations.  We have 4 “wheelies”.  In a walking evacuation, we would each pull 2 carts pre-packed ready to roll.  They are intended for on-foot use only, not for lifting into a vehicle. I have practiced walking to my nearest gathering place dressed in my emergency outfit and pulling 2 carts along flat roads.  

This system allows me a quick on-foot evacuation.  But it is also an all-around storage strategy because I could take the wheelies apart and place needed supplies into my auto or use to supplement my home storage if I were sheltering in place.  

Heavy Duty Dolly #1 (Harbor Freight) is used to transport a case of water and my personal toileting set-up consisting of a boxed privacy tent (Emergency Essentials) that flips open into 6’ tee pee-shaped tent, 4’x4’ at the base, w/zipper door.  A galvanized garbage can (Ace Hardware) that holds a 5-gallon bucket with a toilet seat (Emergency Essentials). In the bucket are all my sanitation supplies. The garbage can with a very tight-fitting lid will be the collection point for my used toilet bags of solid waste. I also have some shelter items on this dolly thanks to the use of bungie cords (Home Depot). 

 

Heavy Duty Dolly #2 holds cases of water, a bed roll and a personal emergency kit. 

Cart/wagon. (This item was donated to me). Here I have a sleeping bag, blankets, warm clothing, a single burner butane stove & butane fuel canisters (Recreation Outlet), lightweight dehydrated food and cooking pan.  I store a heavy Chicago parka on the handle, a change of winter clothes, heavier flash light, personal small water filter (Katadyn), a few hygiene and first aid items, and more sanitation bags. 

A kid’s red wagon works if you build up the 4 sides with heavy cardboard so you can stack contents, or a collapsible cart (Costco) like the one I use to carry my Show N Tell items.  This cart stays in my cargo hold along with my auto evacuation supplies and my auto emergency kit. Luggage on wheels, a duffel bag or backpack on wheels can work also. (Goodwill Regional, DI, Savers) but can’t carry as many items.   

Sturdy Steel Garden Cart (Home Depot, requires assembly).  More water, more food, a personal emergency kit, blow up pillow, my CERT helmet, a summer hat and summer changes of clothes, more butane, more sanitation bags. 

I do not put individual items into carts; items go into tote bags then into my carts – making removal of supplies from carts more efficient if that were necessary.

Before you build a Wheel system, make sure you know where you are going to store them -- pre-packed, ready-to-roll.

If you have stairs to consider, or a larger cart/dolly is beyond your strength, Stair Climber “wheelies” are an appropriate product.  One or two to carry some water, sanitation bags, energy bars, snacks, a few hygiene items. You would want to wear a money belt and a cross-body bag or lightweight back-pack to augment those wheelies.  This is a lighter, easier-to-manage, more doable approach to utilizing wheelies in your on-foot evacuation.  

Assembling a pre-packed kit is best done gradually, but with regularity.  Prioritize sanitation, water, food & appropriate seasonal items.  

As we are approaching winter, you would want your warmest coat, thick scarves, gloves, heavy socks and shoes/boots.  

Now I would like to talk in more detail about the primary items you should include in your On-Foot Evacuation.  I will be including suggestions, but they are not meant to overshadow your own ideas of what you might want/need in your kit.

SANITATION:  We begin here because it is the most important component of your preparation – Safe Toileting:  This is something so crucial it cannot be overstated. In some disasters, including earthquakes, and high winds, for example, the sewer system will fail along with other utilities like electricity, safe tap water, natural gas, refuse collection.  

Do not trust sanitation needs to chance at your Gathering Place. It is most likely the sewer system will not be functioning.  Your health could depend upon you having appropriate toileting supplies in your kits. You will need a safe toilet before you have need for safe water.  Human solid waste is very toxic and must be collected/disposed of w/extreme care. Disease develops quickly. FYI: Urine is NOT toxic.  

Sanitation Suggestions:  Can you create your own toileting strategy just as I have? Many of us aging folks use adult under pants, pads, etc. YOU MUST INCLUDE THOSE IN YOUR SANITATION SUPPLIES.  Male and female urinals can be helpful. 

I am a persistent voice that toileting is best handled at the community level.  There are some sound strategies.  Encourage your community leaders to approach this need.  But you cannot count of that.  You are responsible to meet your needs.

WATER: Water is more vital than food, because our kidneys begin to shut down after a few days. At a minimum the experts tell us 6.5 oz a day will keep our kidneys working, but you will absolutely want more for comfort and healthy hydration.  You must bring your water supply with you to your gathering place.  A prime reason to have a kit on wheels. 

Water Suggestions:  At a gathering place you will have needs for water in addition to drinking. One gallon of water/person /day is the absolute minimum.  Consider cooking, re-hydrating food, hygiene, sanitation, first aid. Remember liquids are heavy – water is 8.3lbs per gallons. Put water in all components of your kit. 

Water in cases (24 bottles) for as little as $3-4 on sale and gallons (Dollar stores). 4.22 oz mylar bags (shelf life 5 years) or newly available 12 oz. cans offer a shelf life of 50 years.  (Both available on-line at Beprepared.com formerly, Emergency Essentials). Purchased water brands don’t all taste the same, so if you want a taste you like, try various brands before you select cases of water. BTW: tap water is clean and safe. If you create your own water storage, it is essential that you put tap water into clean PEET1 plastic containers. (Never use milk containers). Two litter pop bottles can be cleaned for water storage. 

FOOD: Snacks are best as treats, not the entire diet, but they are vital supplies in your kit and will sustain you: Granola, protein bars, nuts, chips, preserved cheese spread, peanut butter, cookies, crackers and little restaurant size packets of honey, jam/jelly. More substantial food boosts morale/comfort and provides more stamina. 

Food Suggestions: General suggestions that don’t require cooking: Some canned meats, pickled beets, fermented foods, pouch and mylar-packaged food, preserved vegetable cups, fruit/pudding cups, dehydrated or freeze-dried fruit/veggies/meats, dry cereal and dried milk (some brands taste better than others), powdered peanut butter. There are advantages and draw-backs to each type of food. Include packets of spices; salt is important but it does increase desire/need for water. If your food supply includes canned goods, a manual can opener is a must. If you want heated food, you will need a cooking source and pan. A single burner, lightweight butane stove is marvelous for cooking and a source of heat, along with a package of butane canisters.  (Recreation Outlet)

If you are accustomed to vitamins and mineral supplements, create some packets in small zip bags.  They are also available pre-packaged. A sprouting tray along with fast sprouting seeds could provide some nutrition.  However, don’t get overly focused on nutrition.  In a disaster situation you are primarily wanting to quell hunger and create energy.

For a single person or couple, smaller can sizes make sense. With no refrigeration, most food items, once opened, need to be consumed, not saved. You will also need a pan if you are using a cooking source. 

MESS GEAR: Don’t neglect mess supplies. Water will be too scarce to wash dishes and it is more sanitary to dispose of all eating supplies after use. Wash your hands often in a gathering situation, especially before eating.

Mess Gear Suggestions: Paper plates, bowls, cups, plastic utensils, napkins, handiwipes, plenty of zip-lock bags, etc. One of my favorite products is EZ Towel, a thick cloth wafer about the size of a mint that you hydrate with a tiny bit of water into a handiwipe-type of small towel.

SLEEP GEAR: In a large-scale disaster, you definitely should not count on having a Red Cross cot, or be in a shelter, or have access to warmth/cooling.  At least for several days. 

Sleep Gear Suggestions: Sleeping bag, thick yoga mat, warm, comfortable blanket(s), mylar blanket, a small pillow or blow-up pillow, sleep mask, earplugs, etc.  Whatever you rely upon for sleep.  

MEDICATIONS: In a serious disaster, it may be a while before pharmacies are open and stocked to meet refill needs. You must include an adequate supply of your medications in your kit, not merely enough for 96 or 120 hours. You can accumulate an emergency supply by re-ordering your meds after 3 weeks for a 30-day supply or 75 days for a 90-day supply (or as soon as your insurance will allow).  Some meds do require the full time period before refill. Pack extra eye glasses or contact lenses.

If you can, keep meds in original pill bottles. If you have to conserve space, transfer meds into small zip bags and be sure to label accurately with the medication name and dose. Include prescription data.  Review and rotate your kit meds every 6 to 12 months and use them. Be sure to restock your kit.

FIRST-AID: Serious disasters create medical needs. We neighbors will be on our own for days to minister to each other’s first-aid needs. 

First-Aid Suggestions: N-95 medical (or N-100) face masks, stomach remedies -- Imodium, laxative, anti-acid – lots of latex or nitrile gloves, rubbing alcohol, Ace bandages, Band-Aids, 4” sterile gauze pads, hypo-allergenic adhesive tape, cravats (large triangular pieces of fabric – good for a sling and other uses), antibiotic cream, cotton-tipped swabs, cotton balls, thermometer, anti-itch cream, pain reliever, petroleum jelly, burn treatment, anti-inflammatory, saline solution, eye drops. Do you use antihistamines, decongestants, hemorrhoid ointments?  Small scissors, tweezers, wrist splints, etc. 

 

PERSONAL HYGIENE: It can boost your morale to feel as fresh as possible but think twice before using much water for that purpose, if you have only brought 1 gallon per day. (This is a good reason for bringing extra water).  A travel kit could work nicely for hygiene. 

Personal Hygiene Suggestions: 3 Wash clothes (not a towel to conserve space) -- one for washing/one for drying, an extra one, soap, hand sanitizer (small ones that fit in your pocket and maybe a refill bottle that stays in your kit), anti-perspirant, dental items, tissues, a medical grade lotion to repair dry, cracked hands, nail clipper/file, several lip balms for pockets, breath mints, dry shampoo, a few make-up items/remover, small mirror. Needle/thread/safety pins.  

SEASONAL: Include a change of clothing: Package seasons separately so you can swap out one season for another easily as temperatures change.

Winter Package Suggestions: Underwear, thermal underwear, sweaters, knit hat, earmuffs, heavy coat, heavy scarf, gloves, warm socks, study shoes, Include hand/foot warmer for cold weather, dark glasses. 

Summer Package Suggestions: Underwear, practical summer top & pants and long sleeves and long pants too, sturdy shoes/socks, sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug repellent, plastic rain poncho. Include small kerchiefs that can be wet to tie around neck, wrists, ankles for cooling. Pack cold packs that can be activated for temporary relief, dark glasses.  

COMFORT & ENTERTAINMENT: A piece of Styrofoam for sitting would be more comfortable than ground.  

It may seem frivolous now, but having sources of distraction and entertainment will be priceless.

Entertainment Suggestions: Paperback book(s), a diary, paper, pens/pencils, deck of cards, spiritual materials, crossword puzzle book, favorite board game, knitting, etc.

PET KIT: This is such an important topic. Pets are family.  Make sure each pet has a tag with your identification. You must bring pets in carriers to any gathering/shelter environment– another use for wheelies as part of your kit. Pets also must have leashes.  Include pet medical records, (especially proof of immunization). Should you end up in an American Red Cross shelter please know they permit only legitimate service dogs inside shelters. If you are a pet owner, I suggest you join w/other pet owners in your locale to create a safe place for pets adjacent to your human gathering location/shelter.  No one is going to set this up for you. This will be a result of networking, pre-need.  

Pet Kit Suggestions: Most important is sufficient water and food for the size and health of your pet(s). A small dog or cat could be okay with a quart of water/day; a large dog could need a gallon or more. Include dry food and/or canned/pouched food sufficient for 120 hours. Do not introduce a food that is unfamiliar to your pet(s). Include collapsible bowls in your pet kit. A foldable flat gift box is easy to include in your kit and can be lined with plastic bag and a few inches of litter or saw dust for your cat (that you must bring). Include scoop and plastic bags for cleaning up your pet’s waste. Pack familiar toys and bedding, pet comb/brush, etc. Recommended first-aid supplies (anti-diarrheal, antibiotic and pain medications) are available at pet store.  Carry a photo of you and pets in same photo; it may be important in establishing you are the pet’s parent.  

VITAL DOCUMENTS: As a normal practice, emergency experts tell us to have multiple copies of vital papers in different locations. It is an important project to assemble and copy. (print or copy 2-sided to reduce number of pages of vital records).  You are doing it because it’s conceivable that this collection of vital records is the only copy that survives a disaster event. A small external drive can hold all the documents; or the Cloud.  But in the short run, a paper copy could expedite things like insurance claims, proving you are the person you say you are, that you are the home owner, the owner of the automobile. Proof can aid you in applying for an emergency loan, getting funds from your bank or credit union, transferring funds, etc.

Vital Documents Suggestions: If you are not computer-literate, ask for help in creating a thumb drive w/copies of all vital and personal records, or save them to the Cloud: Driver’s License, Passport, or other official photo ID, marriage or divorce papers, Social Security card, birth/death certificates, wills, directives, insurance papers – home health/ auto, immunization and other medical records, property deeds, mortgage papers, current credit card and banking statements, bank assets, debt statements, investment accounts, passwords. include pet vital and medical records also. Place a copy with adult children in a separate location, safety deposit box, trusted personnel in your estate matters. Some of the above suggestions may be helpful for you to include as a paper copy as part of your emergency kit, particularly copies of ID and insurance papers and a recent copy of banking statement(s). You must be vigilant in safeguarding information in your kit.  Safest to keep it on your person.  

Here is an important question:  At the time of a disaster, are you still able to pull your cart(s)? 

You have your wheelies, but as you age, can you still pull it/them to your gathering place?  IF YOU CAN’T PULL YOUR CART(S), ASK A NEIGHBOR.  A strong teen will do. Arrange this, pre-need. 

Evacuation by Auto

The most likely emergency that will prompt auto evacuation is a wildfire or quickly out of control series of house fires near you.  I saw that happen in Tooele just a few years ago.  You must consider that flames could reach your home before firefighters could extinguish them. Your focus in such circumstance it to GET OUT IMMEDIATELY.

  

Sometimes, entire parts of cities get consumed so quickly, residents cannot safely exit with any belongings.  

MAKE A LIST of wildfire evacuation items.  Here are questions/suggestions to get your list started:

• What is precious, sentimental and not replaceable?  
• What would be expensive to replace, that will fit in your auto?  
• Is your digital data backed-up in the Cloud? Verify. Do you have external drives? 
• What digital equipment and chargers would you take? 
• If you work from home, do you have work product you need to protect?  Is it digital or paper?  
• Cash, collectibles, jewelry and precious metals.  
• Financial, legal, religious records.
• When preparing your evacuation list, ask each household member what is valuable to them and include, if appropriate. 
• Your pets will be coming too. They will need food, water, bowls and carriers/ leashes.  

Print out the list and give a copy to each household member. Give a copy to adult children not living with you.  Ask their advice.  Your Estate Advisor might be another person to review your list. 

Remember to finalize the list after you have thought it over, received input. 

  

Next, Set priorities now with a clear head.  What are most important items to grab quickly, if you have little notice.  Color code those.  Be certain to include important documents.  (Refer to the earlier section in On-Foot Evacuation).  Store your high priority items together if at all possible, so you don’t have to run about gathering them in the precious seconds of a quick evacuation. If they are not together most will have to be left behind. 

Next identify things you would take if you had a 10–15-minute notice.  Color code with a different color. Note location of each so they can be gathered efficiently.

If you have 20–30-minute notice you may have time to gather everything on your list if you have noted their location.  

Review this list every year as your priorities may have changed as well as the locations of items. 

Leave room for any people that need to be in your auto. 

What about essential items like medication, sanitation supplies, water, food, hygiene items, flash lights, etc.?  These are standard emergency kit items; THEY SHOULD ALREADY BE IN A KIT THAT LIVES IN THE TRUNK OR CARGO HOLD OF YOUR AUTO, OR KEPT NEAR THE DOOR as a Grab & Go bag.  Evacuation warnings would not be the time to create an emergency kit.

Dollar store thermal bags are perfect for cold food/beverages you pull from your refrigerator to supplement what you have in your emergency kit.  Grab some snacks and treats if time permits.

If you are no longer driving, you must connect with neighbors who do drive.  This must be done, pre-need. 

If you are a passenger in someone else’s auto, there may be little room for you to bring items.  So chose carefully what you can hold on your lap in a tote bag.

It is important to communicate clearly to first responders who may do a drive-by assessment.  Use the (FEMA) uniform color messaging:  a long green ribbon or scarf tied to your front doorknob or mailbox indicates you have evacuated.  Red would mean you are still there and need help.

As you exit, turn off utilities, lock windows & doors; close window coverings.  Lock any autos left behind. 

If you have more than one auto and have access to more than one driver -- load both autos with items and kits supplies.

Important Reminder:  Reliably keep at least half a tank of fuel in all family autos.  You do not want to run out of gas during evacuation or have to be in a long gas line.  I have a life experience that convinced me to drive on the top quarter of my tank always leaving me with at least ¾ of a tank full of fuel at all times. 

SHELTERING:  In a community-wide disaster, the American Red Cross is the usual provider of temporary sheltering in schools and churches; They also participate with groups like VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTER –VOAD in mass feeding. 

Do you have friends or relatives with whom you would be staying?  What if you cannot return to your home?  Where would you stay? Has this been discussed/agreed upon?

It does not take a huge wildfire to threaten your safety. A home fire is the single most common disaster in our country. In such a case you will escape with your life and little or nothing else. Do you have an escape plan?  Have you considered having important documents and valuables in a location other than your home?  

BTW, if you get a chance to learn how to use a fire extinguisher, take that opportunity.  Some have learned by going to a fire station. I learned at a Prepare Fair. That know-how prevented a stove-top grease fire from quickly getting out of hand in my kitchen.

Sheltering at Home or on Your own Property

Many of us would strongly elect to remain in our home, or at least on our own property in the event of a disaster. The key point: Is it safe?

A natural disaster or man-caused event could make us feel it is unsafe to leave our home unattended.  If it comes to a choice between safe-guarding your life or well-being, or protecting your home, please protect yourself. 

We could also be mandated to remain at home as happened with COVID. 

How do we prepare to Shelter at Home?  Here is a simple strategy for building home storage:  For a week or two, notice what you use and consume regularly.  Do the same for your pets.

Make sure you have enough of those items on-hand for two weeks, then three, then a month, then 3 months, then 6 months.  It is common to do this gradually, but with regularity.  Do not store food you won’t eat.  Make you regular meals from your storage and then replace what you use. 

Do you have sufficient food staples and ingredients on-hand to make meals you enjoy?  Do you have electrolyte replacement drinks or electrolyte products to add to water?  How about treats and snacks you enjoy?  

Do you have enough medications on hand?  See Medications section above in On-Foot Evacuation Section earlier in this article. 

If you have an On-Foot evacuation emergency kit, or an Auto evacuation kit, you can always “borrow” items from them to augment your Home Sheltering items.  Important note:  Replace the items you “borrow.”

Some events that would cause us to shelter at home would not affect our utilities -- but a home sheltering event could also be accompanied by a breakdown of utilities.  No preparation for home sheltering is complete without a toileting strategy in case the sewer system is down. 

Kathryn McMullin, of the Utah Department of Emergency Management is an expert in alternative toileting for home sheltering.  Visit this link at “BeReadyUtah.gov” for more information on this topic.  

Safe drinking water is a must.  Stock up now.  If your community has treated municipal water, you can put water directly from the tap into CLEAN glass bottles or 2-liter soda bottles or any other PEET 1 plastic container.  DO NOT USE PLASTIC MILK BOTTLES/JUGS; they are not safe for water storage.

Do you have enough hand, dish and laundry soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and other hygiene products in your home supplies? How about batteries?  Check those packages of batteries now and again as well as the items in which you have placed batteries. It is an unwelcome surprise to need an item, only to find the batteries are dead. Batteries will last longer if you keep them next to the item they power, rather than inside the item.

How about paper products?  Toilet paper, paper towels, strong tissue.  

Family Finances:  Could you manage with a temporary interruption in paychecks or benefit checks not getting deposited?  Do you have autopay for all or some of your bills?  Do the accounts from which you pay your obligations have a safety buffer of emergency funds?  If not, can you transfer from savings at home to cover your predicted expenses when needed?  

Do you have the kind of relationship with your bank or credit union manager or loan officer that you could call and arrange a temporary loan to see you through an emergency?  

If preparing for emergency financial matters is confusing, or overwhelming, talk this over with an adult child or other trusted loved one or advisor who can help you get them in order.  Finances can quickly become a secondary emergency.

In all three responses in this article NETWORKING is vital for us; it builds warm, wonderful relationships in our everyday life; in a crisis it saves lives.  

Do you have rapport with some of the younger, stronger neighbors on your street?  Neighbors you could approach about your vulnerabilities and concerns regarding a large-scale disaster or a local emergency?

If you lack that rapport, now would be a perfect time to cultivate genuine neighborly friendships.  Do you bake?  Make soups?  Repair things?  Babysit?  Have a veggie garden that allows you to share your harvest?  Give it some thought.  How could you make a genuine outreach?  

In addition, are you known to your religious leaders?  Or to the community leaders?

Like some of you, I have physical limitations in addition to old age.  A few years ago, I contacted three different neighbors and asked them if they would put my household on their radar and check on my household in the event of an emergency.  They all said YES. In addition to their abundant kindness, it may have helped that I have my own emergency supplies and would not be dependent upon their family emergency supplies.  I have asked that if I need rescue, I do not expect them to do that, but I would need them to take my name and address to the volunteer search and rescue leaders at the gathering place.

To repeat: In everyday life Networking builds warm, wonderful relationships; in a crisis it saves lives.    

Instead of needing help, some of us may be prepared to lend help.  Remember: We are the HELP until HELP arrives.    

We seniors can be a valuable resource in the aftermath of disaster.  Many of us have life experience and training that can help. And some of us are capable of getting more training.  CERT, Amateur Radio for example. Some of us own equipment or items that could aid search and rescue and early recovery. This information should be related to neighborhood networks.   

Emergency Plans:  We each need a Plan to inform our appropriate preparation, manage our involvement and gain/share know-how.  Do you/your household have an Emergency Plan?

In addition, your neighborhood, congregation, council area, or city may have an Emergency Plan.  Find out.  Take an interest; ask to see it. You are not asking for the purpose of challenge anyone, but to show genuine interest.  Does the Plan address your needs as a senior or someone with Access & Functional Needs.  When was that Plan last practiced? When will it be practiced next? If you able, consider asking how you can help with this Planning. 

Is senior residential living or assisted living in your future?  Please put Emergency Planning on your list of features you expect from such a facility. They are required by state law to have a Plan and practice it annually. You can ask a marketing manager “Does this facility have an Emergency Plan?  May I see it?”  Better yet, get a copy you can take home and read leisurely.  Let them know their preparedness for an emergency will influence your decision.  

Do you have loved ones in care facilities? Please go to the General Manager and ask to see the Plan.  Ask them when it was last practiced.  This is not a confrontational conversation; it needs to be cordial, in a spirit of helpfulness. You are advocating for the safety and well-being of your aging loved ones and all others in that facility. If appropriate to the health level of your loved one, go over the Plan with them and prepare a small emergency kit for them.

Some facilities are owned by corporations headquartered outside of Utah. That does not relieve them of their responsibility to have an effective and practiced Emergency Plan.

Information Resources

I want to urge you to be a frequent visitor to the Utah Commission on Aging website.  It is weighted with marvelous information and resources that aid and inform every part of an aging life and it is useful for Access & Functional Needs matters.  You will want to go back to this resource time and time again.  The website is Utahaging.org.  Be sure and click on the Utah Master Plan for Aging (MPA) on first page. 

   

Our state has an extensive Emergency Preparedness library: BeReadyUtah.gov. They have a website and a YouTube channel.  Be certain to checkout their BUZZ series of very short (many less than 90 seconds) and entertaining Tips.  

The American Red Cross also has Preparation, Response and Recovery information.  

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