Blog
2
Emergency
Preparedness
Planning
for emergencies is a daunting task; it requires a good deal of ingenuity and
consideration for possible scenarios that we often do not normally
consider. Take for example, two
disasters that occur in my home state.
Flooding and Heavy Blizzards, each of these disasters can result in
horror, not only for the families but the surrounding neighborhood. As we explore these dangerous situations, and
consider the risks involved let us plan for a safer future for our children. When planning for a disaster please keep in mind,
that there are stages of planning that must be considered (Robertson,C. 2016).
- · Planning phase- seeing the information and planning for possibilities, and risk reduction
- · Impact phase- Enacting your plan, who is to be notified, decisions that are made in the process
- · Relief phase- Providing care for those in need, activities which helps meet those needs
- · Recovery phase- Learning to cope with the after affects, and reinventing holes in the original plan
When looking towards the
future it is important to keep these factors and phases in mind in order to execute
a well thought out preparedness plan.
Flooding
Idaho is no stranger to floods; just recently Rexburg,
Idaho suffered a sudden flash flood throughout the city proper. Many schools and homes were affected,
resulting in thousands of dollars in damage (Petersen,S. 2014). Many children and families were evacuated
into disaster shelters until their homes could be properly cleared. How does this happen in a mountainous region,
well it has a great deal to do with runoff and permeability. Summer storms can bring torrential rains, and
the ground is either a sandy loam or heavy clay. In Rexburg clay is the most common feature,
leaving the community vulnerable to runoff.
This can cause the water to gather in heavy pools until the water is
absorbed. Most homes are built to handle
some of the threat with flood basements, in Ririe Idaho all homes and buildings
are installed with these flood basements because we live in an area of sandy
loam soil and a high water table.
Flooding is bound to happen particularly when summer rains become vicious
resulting in our damns needing to release excess water. This however is not a clear solve, for
flooding can cause damage to foundations of homes and pose health risk contaminating
food storage and water supply. No one is
completely safe, but there are some guidelines that are helpful in these situations
(Robertson, C. 2016).
·
Keep an emergency preparedness kit handy,
this should include at least 7 days of food for your household, and 2 weeks’ worth
of water.
·
Inflatable devices are also handy for staying
above water if water levels do not permit habitable conditions.
·
Knowing
the natural contours of the land is also helpful, seeking high ground and staying
out of path of travel if the flood is a flash flood.
·
If warning permits, have a evacuation procedure.
·
Notify parents, or guardians of any
threat to child.
·
Keep a bivouac (camp) set handy,
coordinate with local emergency shelters.
Floods
can devastate not only homes but also mental rigidity, cause children to feel
unsafe. It is important to remain as
calm as possible, when navigating these disasters.
Heavy Blizzards
I remember my first heavy blizzard like it was yesterday,
the school announced over the P.A. system that school was closed and once the
buses were ready we would be taken home.
This was a joyous moment, until the P.A. system announced that parents
were being notified that the cold would not permit the buses to start. Suddenly, my level of fear began to
climax. We spent that night huddled in
the gymnasium with teachers, comforting students and a make shift kitchen
nearby. We played games and when night
fall came, the janitor brought terribly itchy blankets for us to use as
makeshift beds. Once the blizzard
concluded we were buried in roughly 4 feet of snow, lucky the roads faired much
better than our school. We were
retrieved in the following afternoon once plows were able to break through the
snow drifts.
In Idaho, blizzards are a way of life; we experience
roughly 3 heavy blizzards a year. These
snow flurries cause all sorts of mayhem from accidents on the road, to entire
power outages from downed power lines.
Leaving many schools and homes vulnerable to freezing conditions. It is important as teachers to always keep an
emergency preparedness kit, for these occasions (America’s PreparAthon!, 2017). Like my example above, there are important
Items to always have handy.
- · Blankets and bedding to stay warm
- · Heating units, or a generator to supply energy for your shelter
- · Games to keep children entertained (nothing is as dangerous as a wandering mind)
- · A food source to supply food for at least a week
- · A personal Cleaning supply, soap, wipes etcetera.
- · First Aid Kit
Always
be certain to police children while under your care, and never under any
circumstance allow them to run outside during these flurries. They can quickly become disoriented and lost
in the storm. If it all possible, have a
voluntary crew in place to help facilitate your shelter. Most schools prefer to send you home before
these emergencies happen, however sometimes this is not possible due to “Acts
of God”
Lastly,
be certain to involve parents in the planning process for disasters. They are often the ones who provide an
excellent source of help and support in our time of need.
References
Petersen, Sarah (2014) BYU-Idaho, Rexburg experience flooding after heavy thunderstorms
Retrieved from https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865606990/Severe-flooding-at-BYU---Idaho-and-throughout-Madison-County.html
Robertson, C. (2016) Safety, Nutrition, & Health in Early Education 6th
Edition
America’s PreparAthon! (2017) Prepare your
organization fo A Winter Storm PLAYBOOK Retireved from https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1409866131999-cd67474088f6e1eef8997242f261ed1a/prepareathon_playbook_winter_storms_final_090414_508a.pdf
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