Disaster Response SMARTbook 3 – Disaster Preparedness

Sometimes things go badly and all our hopes and plans fail us. Our illusions are shattered, our expectations are beyond anyone’s capacity to fulfill, and our demands go unanswered. When this time comes, what will you do? 

Anytime you are reading about survival, you are reading about resiliency. Resiliency is the ability to recover quickly from setbacks. Preparation for emotional or physical challenges is part of the process, but there is no magic formula for resiliency that will make a disaster less destructive, disruptive, or devastating. True resiliency is more than just having a plan: it is a mindset, a decision made before the crisis that you have chosen to survive.

Be Aware, Prepared & Resilient

Disasters can happen at any time but with some careful thought and little preparation you can make choices before a disaster strikes that can directly improve your situation:

. - Learn to understand the different kinds of disasters and their effects.

. - Learn how to make your own plans and preparations that are right for you and your family.

. - Build personal resiliency and give yourself options even when facing the worst situations.

. - Know what kinds of help you can expect from government responses before, during and after the disaster.

. - Discover what the government should provide after a disaster, how government plans to provide for people’s needs and where the government will focus its efforts in response to a major disaster.

The Disaster Preparedness SMARTbook provides a step by step look at disasters and how to prepare for them. It is useful to both the experienced and novice in the field of disaster survival. Section I, Understanding Disasters and the Role of Government, covers the effects and scope of different types of disasters. Section II, Mental Resiliency and Making Your Choices, outlines options you have for developing a level of planning and preparation that fits your lifestyle, resources, level of comfort and survival kits. Section III, Descriptions of Disasters & Things You Need to Know About Disasters: This section provides you with information you will want and need when making your plans and preparations.

Disaster preparedness topics include understanding disasters, response capabilities, federal disaster response, personal preparation, how to make a good plan, mental resiliency in disaster situations, my choices worksheets, safety in numbers (be part of the team), survival kit basics, and extensive discussion of natural and man-made disasters to include: hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, volcanoes, tsunamis, tornadoes, drought & famine, blizzards & ice storms, outbreaks, epidemics & pandemics, nuclear events, civil disturbances, explosions & chemical spills.

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