Category Archives: How To Prepare

ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL

All Hazards Emergency Plan and Continuity of Operations, All hazards plan, Continuity of Operations, Disaster Planning, How To Prepare, ,

ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL

ALL HAZARDS PLANNING

Joanne Hull |October 27, 2014

It’s highly recommended that we go for our annual checkup once a year.   No one likes it.  It certainly isn’t the high-point of anyone’s day.  But, we do it!

There are basic tests we all have to take and others specific to gender, weight, age, and past medical history.   You know the drill.  We all hate checkups but once it’s over we sure feel relieved and somewhat reassured that we have done something to control our future.

The same is true for your emergency planning.  ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL.

Recently, I attended a community tabletop exercise.  Captains of local Industry were seated at all of the respective tables ready for the latest tabletop scenario to begin.  What I found mind boggling was the fact that most in attendance had no idea how to adjust the only planned scenario they had on file to any other new or proposed catastrophic event.   Their plans appeared to be cookie cutter, made from a template and any deviation created stress and confusion.

Now, readers….. I’m sure that you get the point.  At the very least, your emergency management and contingency plan needs an annual checkup as well.    Your life may depend on it!

Don’t be fooled.  Don’t hire someone to create your plan and not be an active participant in the process.  Don’t accept a template or a cookie cutter plan and, by all means hire someone with experience.   It’s easy to” talk the talk” however, make sure who you hire has” walked the walk”, or,  be prepared for that look of confusion when presented with an event other than what was written for you in that expensive three ring binder you paid a good buck for and now call your plan.

Just like your visit to the doctor, you need a specific plan for your specific circumstances,  in your specific job or, specific region of the country.  Find the weak links even if the weak link is your plan itself or the firm you hired and, step away from the obvious by connecting all of the dots and recognizing anomalies to meet your specific challenges.

Measure your plan against effectiveness re-imagined for the 21st century.  Then, an only then, you’ll have the game changer.

 

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH ????

Disaster Planning, Emergency Management, How To Prepare, ,

SEPTEMBER—NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH ????

(Shouldn’t every month be National Preparedness Month?)

Joanne Hull|September 2014

In this day and age, do we really need a designated month to prepare?   Shouldn’t we be preparing every day ?

I remember working in a state that had several hurricanes.  They struck the state one after the other, each one more violent than the next.  One night thoroughly exhausted as usual, I arrived “home” to my hotel in time for the 11PM news.  I turned on the television trying to unwind and heard the best 60 seconds ever.  A frustrated elected official was being interviewed and he said words to the effect……  Look, we live in a state that gets hurricanes.  Is it too much to ask to have a few days of bottled water and non-perishable items until help can get to you?

Words to live by since September also happens to be the month when more hurricanes have occurred that any other month.

BE PREPARED.  HAVE A PLAN.  What would happen if you become the only person your family has to count on until help arrives?

HIKING THE NORTHVILLE/PLACID TRAIL

Disaster Safety, Emergency Management, How To Prepare, , ,

HIKING THE NORTHVILLE /PLACID TRAIL

 Tracking off the Grid 

Joanne Hull| July 11, 2014 

I admit, I’m not the avid hiker in the family however, some people very close to me are avid hikers and they’re planning to hike the Northville /Placid Trail.  From Trail-head in Benson NY, to the final segment in the high peaks wilderness just outside of Lake Placid NY, they will be hiking approximately 133 miles.  The last 50 miles of this trip are some of the most rugged, desolate (yet beautiful) areas in the Adirondack Park.

Translation…THEY WERE GOING OFF THE CONVENTIONAL GRID.

NO cell phone service and NO easy way to summon emergency help.

That said, and because these folks are very dear to me and probably because of the work that I do for a living in Emergency Management, I realized that I would not rest an easy night without knowing that they would be able to summon help in case of an accident or any other catastrophic event.

ENTER THE SPOT GEN 3—Satellite GPS Messenger

This hike will obviously take them beyond cell phone service.  I wanted to know that they were okay during this two week adventure.  It appears, from my research, that Spot Gen3 was just what I was looking for.  A lifesaving line of communication.  The “just in case factor” should they ever need emergency help.  It works by pressing a button.   SPOT sends your exact GPS location to an emergency response coordination center at the press of a button and, it can also send pre-set messages to stay in contact with your friends and family along the way to let them know all is well.

 Translation….GPS TRACKING OFF THE GRID

NOT A BAD IDEA, RIGHT? 

I’m sure that there are many other devices to choose from.  Check them all out if you’re interested.  However, here is the link below to the SPOT home page.  I just purchased one last night.  I hope I never have to use it.

It may be a little pricey however, if it works like it says it does, I think it may just be worth the cost the first time you ever have to press the SOS.   That said,  I hope I never have to find out!!

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

 

THIS STORY HAS A MORAL

Disaster Planning, Emergency Management, How To Prepare,

THIS STORY HAS A MORAL

TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY—-HOW TO BE PREPARED ON VACATION (subtitle- A Little Piece Of The Job Has Rubbed off On Me).

Joanne Hull | March 24, 2014

I admit, I’m not the easiest person to vacation with! 

Let’s face it, when you spend the majority of your life traveling and your day job is disasters, it’s difficult not to notice things that most of your happy vacationer friends won’t be looking for.   I don’t go on vacation with the mission critical presumption- to have fun- cannot fail.

Touch Down- Tropical Island Paradise ??

The minute the plane touches down and the rest of party heads to the hotel to throw on a bathing suit, I’m back in the car off to get supplies.  For Instance; plenty of water, non-perishable food, flashlights. I make sure the car is always filled with gas, I will only stay in a hotel with a backup generator,  never book a room on the ground floor no matter how close to the  water that private patio is and, I always carry a weather radio.

Why you ask?? 

I’ve been in plenty of tropical storms and hurricanes on the job.   Try to find water or pump gas without electricity, try to find food or, see how you feel when your room heats up to over 100 degrees without a backup generator.  See how you feel when your shoes and suitcases are floating on the floor when water comes through the patio door or, how you feel when the lights finally go out and you can’t see your hand in front of your face.

My Friends think it’s funny (for now).

Two days later, they weren’t laughing when a storm hit our beautiful “tropical island paradise”.    Lights out all over the island, wind howling and, one by one they came climbing up the stair and knocking on my door.  It’s amazing what happens and how popular you become when you are the only one in the group with a dry room, sustenance, libations and light.  A veritable port in a storm…….pun intended !!!

Moral :

Even a tropical paradise has a dark side.  Go prepared!