November 19, 2015Podcast

Disaster Preparedness Depends On Your Region

In this episode of the Disaster Podcast co-hosts Jamie Davis, the Podmedic and Sam Bradley gather some special guests to talk about disaster preparedness issues that are more likely to be encountered given your region and location. Dr. Joe Holley from Paragon Medical Education Group is on the call this week and EMS and preparedness educator Kevin Reiter is on the show.

The group talks this week about disaster preparedness using the usual disasters from your area. For example, California is more earthquake prone compared to other regions of the country. Memphis, along the Mississippi River, has to be prepared for floods as well as earthquakes due to the New Madrid Fault Line. Jamie is on the East Coast of the U.S. has to watch for potential for hurricanes and tropical storms.

Build A Home Disaster Kit

Once you know the disasters that are likely in your areas, it is incumbent on folks to prepare appropriately. The Federal Emergency Management Agency at Ready.gov proposes that everyone should have a disaster kit that includes enough resources (food, water, medicines, cash, etc.) to sustain you for at least 72 hours (3 days). Some areas that are more remote may need even more stores for longer durations.

A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Try to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them. You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.

Find out more about what Kevin Reiter is up to training people on water rescue and more at WildSafety.com, @WildSafety on Twitter, and you can email him at [email protected].

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Again, a special thank-you to Paragon Medical Education Group for their continued support of this podcast as our partners in this endeavor to bring disaster medicine to you. Check out their page and educational resources that can help your system be more prepared for what happens in your area.

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