WSAV in Georgia reports on a leadership summit for politicians, businesses and nonprofit organizations, to help prepare their communities for an H1N1 outbreak:
“The Summit for Preparedness is a national initiative to hone leadership skills needed during times of crisis and to strengthen the network of people and organizations ready to act cooperatively in an emergency. The nation’s response to events like Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 and H1N1 highlight the importance of leaders working together and sharing information and resources during major public health emergencies.”
I’m not so sure I would lump Swine Flu in with Hurricane Katrina or 9/11, but that’s beside the point. The question everyone should be asking themselves when they read or view reports like this is, “What is leadership going to do for me in an emergency?” If the mayor of my city looks calm and poised in front of the television cameras during a disaster scenario (which I can’t see because the power is out), what benefit is that for me? You can’t eat or drink “leadership skills” during a crisis.
While it’s good that they’re at least thinking about the topic, the main responsibility for emergency preparedness begins in your own home. You don’t even have to attend a meeting for it. Do some research on the web, and start coming up with your own emergency plans for an H1N1 outbreak.
Source:
http://www2.wsav.com/sav/news/local/article/swine_flu_summit_in_southeast_georgia/73025/