The First 72 Hours
Today’s “In the Know” message comes from Sister Shaffer and Brother Dickson.
As we become attuned to what this year’s fire season will bring, we know that being prepared is always the surest line of defense. We are presenting a summer series of 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.
Here’s what to keep in mind for the first 72 hours of an emergency:
Self-Reliance
Plan to meet your own needs within the first 3 days before help arrives.
Neighborhood wellness checks—Neighbors are first responders. Have a plan for sharing/storing food and aid. Who is the captain of your block? Who has emergency training? Who can help? Who will likely need your help?
Ward’s Most Vulnerable—Bishopric attends to the most vulnerable in ward within the first 3 days.
No Cell Service—Have a plan to convey your status. Try colored paper in the window (Red=distress/help; Green=OK here). Do the neighbors know the code? This saves lives when firefighters can skip knocking on the door and move to the next house without signs.
You’re Elsewhere
Have a plan for those within your household, including pets.
Does a trusted neighbor have keys, or other access to check on your home?
Welfare Check on Your Dependents—Pets, kids, elderly relative at home? Do they know the plan? Who can help them evacuate?
Checking on Your Most Vulnerable Neighbors—Do you know how to reach their family?
Essential Calls
Put Important Numbers On Paper (Nobody memorizes family phone numbers anymore)
Ministering Report—RS will ask sisters to report status of how and where they are—get a contact phone/name if they’ve relocated; RS will then share info through chain of command, providing services, prioritizing most urgent needs
Family Phone-tree—If cell service is down, keep numbers written down inside your Go-Bag. Have a point person outside of your disaster area contact others on your behalf. They should also know how to discern truthful information. Disaster reports are fast coming and not always fact-checked.
Family Meeting Plan—Set 2 meeting spots; one nearby so you can travel together, and one outside disaster area, in case of evacuation. When will your household evacuate without you?
Categories of Phone Numbers to Put on Paper Today
Family within household; nearby relatives; out of state relatives
Church Contacts: ministering partner, Visitee 1, Visitee 2, Visitee 3, Report to Ministering Route; do you have your ward’s general contact card to reach a Bishopric member?
Neighbors: block captains, vulnerable neighbor
Friends: to stay with outside of disaster area; friends outside to bring you supplies
Our next installment will come in two weeks.
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