Disasters Happen - Even Here!

Yes, Virginia
Disasters DO happen even in New Mexico!

A disaster, emergency or crisis can happen anywhere, at anytime; they come in all shapes and sizes.

These crises will NOT be convenient.

They will NOT wait until you and yours are all at home and ready.

No, instead they will happen when we least expect them.

In the opening sentence of the New Mexico Family Emergency Preparedness Guide (pg 4 found in PDF @ http://www.nmdhsem.org/uploads/files/New%20Mexico%20Family%20Emergency%20Preparedness%20Guide%20High%20Quality.pdf) by New Mexico Department of Homeland Security it states:

“Even in New Mexico – disasters happen. Every community in our state is vulnerable. As New Mexicans, we face the threat of a variety of natural disasters and the threat of man-made disasters. In the last year, New Mexico has dealt with an unprecedented series of emergencies from drought to fire, flooding to severe winter weather, and even tornadoes.”

In the New Mexico Family Emergency Preparedness Guide (pg found in PDF pg 3 @ http://www.health.state.nm.us/ohem/Publications/Family-Emergency-Preparedness-Guide.pdf) by New Mexico Department of Health states:

“Communities throughout the Southwest are subject to a number of potential natural disasters such as fires, tornadoes, flooding, severe storms, earthquakes, dam failures, landslides. While we all hope that such occurrences never happen, it has been shown time and time again that being prepared for disasters is prudent. Emergency services and government agencies may not be able to respond to your needs immediately. Their buildings, equipment, personnel, communications, and mobility may be severely hampered by the event. …”

I have lived all over the United States so please believe me when I say that the quotes above can apply to any state in the United States of America.

To top it off check out the some federal preparedness sites:

From FEMA @ http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/why_prepare.shtm it states:

“The need to prepare is real.

• Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Each disaster has lasting effects, both to people and property.
• If a disaster occurs in your community, local government and disaster-relief organizations will try to help you, but you need to be ready as well. Local responders may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may need to focus their efforts elsewhere.
• You should know how to respond to severe weather or any disaster that could occur in your area - hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme cold, flooding, or terrorism.
• You should also be ready to be self-sufficient for at least three days. This may mean providing for your own shelter, first aid, food, water, and sanitation. …”

At the DHS site @ http://www.dhs.gov/files/prepresprecovery.shtm

“Preparedness, Response & Recovery

In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will provide a coordinated, comprehensive federal response and mount a swift and effective recovery effort.

The Department assumes primary responsibility for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. …”

Preparedness, Response & Recovery Activities & Programs ..."

The DoD has what they call the Domestic Preparedness Support Initiative or DPSI @ http://policy.defense.gov/domesticprep/index.aspx to aid local, state and federal level First Responders. To quote their home page they plan to do this through:

“Through the DoD Domestic Preparedness Support Initiative, the DoD fulfills Congress’ intent to support public safety and homeland security by leveraging taxpayer investments in defense technology and equipment. Partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), and communications with first responders, are critical for success in this important mission! Working closely with DHS and DOJ, we promote the advancement, commercialization, and transition of high priority DoD projects that can result in first responder capability improvements.”

The agencies above and many others strive to help us in a time of crisis – Yet they are ALL telling us that we will most likely be On Our Own for at least 3 Days (72 hours).

Preparedness is NOT being a doomsayer; it is NOT being irrational and it is most definitely NOT crazy to be prepared.

Take Responsibility
Make a Plan
Have a Kit
Practice
Stay Aware

Read about the 10 Preparedness Tips that you and your family can take at http://www.scribd.com/doc/61314128/Disasters-Happen-Even-Here

It has a list of resources to help you along ;-}

For a list of New Mexico disasters see New Mexico Crisis History & Information

Today is the Tomorrow
that you worried about Yesterday

TNT