Beyond Go Bags–Now What?

Presented by Sister Shaffer and Brother Dickson

This is the second installment of our summer series presenting Emergency Preparedness tips on communication, entitled “Beyond Go Bags—Now What?” You already know what to pack; now learn what to do.

Emergency preparedness means you understand what you need to carry in an emergency, and you have taken those measures to get your house in order.

Emergency communication means you understand where to find information and know how to determine its truthfulness; you also know how to convey your status in an emergency, even without cell phones, and have a plan for communication with, and about, those you minister.

The first installment included tips on Self-Reliance for the first 72-hours, Welfare Checks on Household, especially if you are elsewhere, and Essential Calls, including ministering report and family phone-tree.

Food/Meal Planning

For the first 3 days, use your pantry. Post a menu inside pantry so anyone can help. (1) Inventory pantry—Rotate staples regularly. Keep a running list of what to shop for. Date items. (2) Pans for cooking/boiling on the BBQ—Can you makeshift a stove if you have no power? (3) Avoid spoilage—Auburn Interfaith Food Closet is accessible to all. Getting food is easy enough from the food closet, but having enough storage for it all is TRICKY. How will you avoid spoilage? (4) Sharing Baskets—Do your neighbors have an overabundance of something, do you? Plan to trade.

Conveying Status

Without Cell Phones—We’re so used to having technology, but we need to prepare for a plan without: (1) Your well-being AND your location are quickly needed to relieve manpower, and alleviate worry. (2) Schools train their students to line up outside during emergency drills, holding a colored card—green means “we’re all ok and accounted for”; red means “we need help, someone’s missing”; could your neighborhood agree on a system of immediate communication by using street view windows for placing colored paper? (3) Telegram app—like a text message, but allows more flexibility in adding/deleting people to the group. It also pushes newest info to the top, avoiding sifting through messages for current updates. Training is ongoing within stake leadership. This app is helpful for communicating in emergencies when group membership changes.

Neighborhood captains—For wellness checks and communicating effectively with emergency responders: (1) Designated Block Captains—For each cul-de-sac, or block, who will be the Captain responsible for checking the welfare status/location of residents on that block only? (2) Captain Duties—All Captains in the neighborhood will merge their lists, sharing with police, sheriff, or fire. (3) Zone Leaders are assigned by bishops in each neighborhood much in the same way—to quickly identify members in need.

D&C 38:30 “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”

“I pray that we may be aware of the needs of those around us…May we ever be ready to extend to them a helping hand and a loving heart.”—President Thomas S. Monson