Emergency preparedness is a hot topic these days for many local government officials and spokespersons. A lot of grant money and other funds are going towards informing the public at large to be prepared. It’s as if they’re gearing up for the real possibility of emergencies occurring, and acknowledging at the same time that there are not enough first responders to help everyone. That’s being admitted in several statements in various communities across the globe. For example, Sybille Sanderson, the public safety education coordinator for the Cowichan Valley Regional District in Canada, warned residents of the need to prepare themselves for emergencies.
“If there’s an earthquake, how many here would be prepared?” Sanderson asked. “What we’re encouraging is that you don’t wait until you run out of food before you stock up and that you learn about what other things you can do to be best prepared.”
She said that if, for example, there is an earthquake — which experts say is inevitable on Vancouver Island — the likelihood of emergency crews being able to offer immediate help will likely be remote, so that means people will have to take care of themselves for days or even weeks.
She went on to state that individuals had better be ready to help each other rather than rely on police and firefighters. She’s absolutely right. Do you have the supplies and skills to respond to emergencies in your home and neighborhood?
Source:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/lakecowichangazette/news/78777457.html