My peppered Potato salad guy wrote again on another forum saying that we need to see the evacuation shelters and head of time so as to be able to make a wise selection based on the amenities offered. While waiting for my initial comments to download onto the forum that I just sent, a ‘V-8 light bulb’ moment of inspiration went off in my head. I think. His principal position is correct! The peppered potato salad and perked coffee with fresh donuts well seem a bit far from the basic truth but he basic truth is still there concerning hurricane preparedness.
We really DO need opportunities to become more acquainted with the REAL situation and NEEDS at disaster centers and emergency evacuation shelters. For some people the only way to get them to come to check out an evacuation center ahead of time and get some solid hurricane preparedness information and disaster planning advice is to have a ‘show and tell’ hurricane evacuation situation fully displayed in 3-D and hands on.
I am not suggesting that it be done to discern what is the most entertaining of disaster response and hurricane evacuation shelters --for that is not what is important in such disaster situations. Life is more important than entertainment, food or creature comforts.
What I am saying is that many individuals in our communities don’t have a clue as to what to expect at an emergency evacuation center. This is obvious every year by what people bring to emergency evacuation shelters. Sometimes what people bring into an emergency shelter can make one stop and scratch their heads wondering "what were these people thinking?". Few know what REALLY is important to bring especially if it is their first time at an emergency evacuation shelter. Different populations have different needs. So yes my potato salad guy is onto something. Perhaps there should be a rotating hands on exhibit during non - hurricane season to inform the community with an entire set up disaster shelter looks like in a full mock-up setting. Perhaps the day’s schedule to educate the community could look something like this
7am-9am Senior Citizens -- Yes with coffee and donuts – hopefully fresh to my potato salad guy's likening!:)
10am-12noon Day Care Centers and Pre-School offer cookies and punch
1pm-3pm Middle and High School grade students some sort of snacks teen acceptable
4pm-6pm Special Needs Populations cookies and punch
7pm-9pm General Public cookies and punch
When I was in congregational pastoral ministry, a very wise, successful and very retired senior pastor told me on more than one occasions ‘if you want people to come to a meeting feed them. If they’re in distress or upset at something – food not necessary”. I had forgotten that wise counsel until Mr. Potato Salad guy brought it back to mind.
Testimonials and peer ranking is very interesting and insightful to most people in the pubic. By teaming up with day care providers, youth and even some children to get their opinions as well for the other sections of the guide this information might be more quickly received than from officials on high. When going in together with these other groups and writing disaster information guide on evacuation shelters, it would be helpful to the community for next year’s hurricane season. It could offer some important insights that have not been looked at before.
COMMENTS WELCOMED!
Please share your thoughts, emergency preparedness tips and stories here on this blog.
All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.
Be Safe – Be Prepared – Help Others!
Terrie
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