Networking is Vital

Regardless of the type of emergency event, or what response it requires of us – On-Foot Evacuation, Auto Evacuation, or Sheltering at Home -- NETWORKING is vital for us.  It builds warm, wonderful relationships in our everyday life and 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 even 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?  Do you have a veggie garden that allows you to share your harvest?  Give it some thought.  How could you make genuine outreaches? 

 In addition, are you known to your religious or community leaders?  If not, take that step now.  

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 any 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 told them that if I need rescue, I do not expect them to do that work, but I would need them to take my name and address to the volunteer search and rescue leaders.

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