Lessons from 9/11: Prepare for Disaster Today
This is a special week--we are remembering the panic and fear that hit us so suddenly 5 years ago. "How could they do this?" "What was next?" "Could as many as 50,000 people be in the Towers?" "Was this the beginning of an all-out assault?" "Will they strike in our hometown next?"
These questions ran through everyone's minds. How quickly we forget. For many of us, it has become business as usual.
A common thought today is that terrorism is something that affects other people, not us. Even Hurricane Katrina was something that happened to "those people." I would think that every American with any compassion or concern for their loved ones would stop and think about the horrors our fellow citizens have suffered in the recent past, both natural and man-made. Many thousands still feel the pain every day for their losses. And yet we do nothing.
Is it a normal human response to avoid the painful thoughts and feelings that could move us to action? Is it normal to ignore this fear and, in so doing, to risk the our lives of ourselves and those of loved ones? Could this explain why so many people living in disaster-prone areas seem surprised when a catastrophe hits?
I know of many who live in Los Angeles or San Francisco who are almost proud of the fact that the only preparedness supplies they have in case of a big earthquake are an extra package of toilet paper and a 6-pack of Diet Coke. If you live in an area that is threatened by hurricanes yearly, how hard is it to keep extra food and water and gas in the tank? We hear from experts "in the know" that it is not IF the terrorists hit us again but WHEN and WHERE.
To its credit, our government keeps trying to remind us to be prepared. I often hear radio messages and read billboards, all calling us to action. The news media really tries to keep the threat at the forefront of our attention. And yet, most of us seem to have this instinctive need to believe it will never happen to us.
What will it take to stir us to action? How many times do we need to see and experience the devastating loss of others before we are compelled to prepare ourselves for a potential disaster-- whether it is a natural disaster or an act of terror?
Here is a challenge for you -- take a few moments and think about what you have done to protect yourself and your loved ones. How have you prepared for the loss of electricity? No police or fire protection? No heat for your homes or gas for your car? No food at the stores or water in the pipes? Then if you realize that you are not prepared, do something about it. Buy some water and flashlight batteries. Always keep your car's gas tank half full. Talk to your neighbors. Then you have taken the first steps to being ready, just in case. Not because of fear, but because it is the right thing to do.
Consider this ancient Chinese saying: "Is it not already too late if one waits until one is thirsty to begin digging a well?" *
*"When Technology Fails", Matthew Stein, Clear Light Publishers, 2000
Related Topics: Docs at Front Line of Terror War, WebMD University: Planning Ahead: Preparing for Disaster
Technorati Tags: 911, disaster preparedness
These questions ran through everyone's minds. How quickly we forget. For many of us, it has become business as usual.
A common thought today is that terrorism is something that affects other people, not us. Even Hurricane Katrina was something that happened to "those people." I would think that every American with any compassion or concern for their loved ones would stop and think about the horrors our fellow citizens have suffered in the recent past, both natural and man-made. Many thousands still feel the pain every day for their losses. And yet we do nothing.
Is it a normal human response to avoid the painful thoughts and feelings that could move us to action? Is it normal to ignore this fear and, in so doing, to risk the our lives of ourselves and those of loved ones? Could this explain why so many people living in disaster-prone areas seem surprised when a catastrophe hits?
I know of many who live in Los Angeles or San Francisco who are almost proud of the fact that the only preparedness supplies they have in case of a big earthquake are an extra package of toilet paper and a 6-pack of Diet Coke. If you live in an area that is threatened by hurricanes yearly, how hard is it to keep extra food and water and gas in the tank? We hear from experts "in the know" that it is not IF the terrorists hit us again but WHEN and WHERE.
To its credit, our government keeps trying to remind us to be prepared. I often hear radio messages and read billboards, all calling us to action. The news media really tries to keep the threat at the forefront of our attention. And yet, most of us seem to have this instinctive need to believe it will never happen to us.
What will it take to stir us to action? How many times do we need to see and experience the devastating loss of others before we are compelled to prepare ourselves for a potential disaster-- whether it is a natural disaster or an act of terror?
Here is a challenge for you -- take a few moments and think about what you have done to protect yourself and your loved ones. How have you prepared for the loss of electricity? No police or fire protection? No heat for your homes or gas for your car? No food at the stores or water in the pipes? Then if you realize that you are not prepared, do something about it. Buy some water and flashlight batteries. Always keep your car's gas tank half full. Talk to your neighbors. Then you have taken the first steps to being ready, just in case. Not because of fear, but because it is the right thing to do.
Consider this ancient Chinese saying: "Is it not already too late if one waits until one is thirsty to begin digging a well?" *
*"When Technology Fails", Matthew Stein, Clear Light Publishers, 2000
Related Topics: Docs at Front Line of Terror War, WebMD University: Planning Ahead: Preparing for Disaster
Technorati Tags: 911, disaster preparedness
9 Comments:
Dr. Marks is absolutely correct. It is all about taking control and being responsible. It is the welfare mentality, the "it is the governments responsibility", my kid does poorly in school "because of bad teachers"...on and on and on. We need to take responsibility and participate in our own life. Learn from events and hold OURSELVES accountable. I will admit that I have done little to insure my own survival should a catastrophe strike. This means that I will be a victim in the worse sense and that I am responsible for that. We all need to figure out that the helping hand is on the other end of our own arm.
I fully agree with Dr. Marks comments on the lack of proper preparartions by most people for natural or terrorist spawned disasters or emergencies. Growing up on the Texas coastline where hurricanes are always a threat, our family got in the habit of keeping some of the essential items as mentioned on hand at all times, as "last minute" preparations can be iffy and things can get overlooked. It is much better to plan ahead, and it is not very costly or difficult to do, and can save lives.
If you think you live in an area that is very unlikely to be "hit" any time by a disaster, it might be worth considering one potential terrorist threat that does not get as much attention as it should: An electomagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. While any attack would be tragic, EMP may be one with the most dire of consequences, and requires special preparations and attention. Here is one of many links for more EMP information:
http://www.unitedstatesaction.com/emp-terror.htm
Taking decisive action now and making adequate preparations is not "living in fear", but rather being responsible for your own well-being and those we love, instead of being a victim.
If interested you may want to go to CNN Channel to see breaking news. FYI - Breaking News - Car bomb & gunfire reported NEAR or around the US Embassy in Damascus, Syria. The Embassy Diplomats are safe, thankfully. However, a Syrian guard has been killed. Reports of other deaths has not been confirmed. 2-4 gunman are said to have been involved, possibly arrested, details not confirmed. With all the reminders of 9/11 & the ways in which Americans came together to help one another, maybe we can say a prayer or keep a good thought for those abroad. Whether or not we are for or against troop involvement & current events, we might still keep them in our hearts. While meditating or relaxing, we could take time to remember those who protect our freedom & honor the memory of the victims & survivors everywhere. Thank you. May you have a good day.
Dr. Marks hit the nail on the head! In the case of being prepared for any kind of catastrophic event the old addage holds true, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" Although no one wants to dwell on the possibilities of another terror attack, an earthquake, or a hurricane, the reality is that it is not a question of if they might happen again but when. In Switzerland, a country that has managed to stay neutral through two world wars, every home is urged to have a "safe room"--a place that can serve as shelter in time of crisis--stocked and refreshed with the basic necessities. Being prepared for an emergency is like buying car insurance--you never want to use it but when you need it you're grateful to have it. I urge every American family to take action against the terrorists by taking back control--have a plan, keep your gas tanks filled, assemble a cache of basic supplies (water, food, medications, flashlights)--then, go back to living your life peacefully and confidently, knowing that in the event of crisis you and your family can take care of yourselves and even be available to help others!
Thank you Dr. Marks, you have opened my eyes to something that has slipped to the back burner! Growing up in Oregon, we always had an "Earthquake" box, with all supplies needed to live for up to three weeks after an event. Since we moved, I don't think about, "What if something was to happen". Even though we may not suffer an earthquake, who knows what else may happen. I will start slowly, purchasing products from the store- to make our "What if box". Thank you again Dr. Marks! :)
Boy do I find myself lacking. I have lived in both earthquake country and Hurricane ally, lived on military installations and think I am safe. I will take with the Doctor says to heart and BE prepared, I can be "one of those other people". I want to be ready and be the one who can help "those other people" Thanks Dr!
Think about the Amish,
They do not rely on the government power grid, stores or other outside help. They are a self sustaining community and are prepared for most disasters. Although they will accept outside help when need arises, they prefer to owe no man so they provide for each other in time of need as a community. If modern society could live a month in this life style they would begin to appreciate their "conviences" but realize also that these will not function with no power while the simpler lifestyle will go on with out much notice of inconvience or change in their daily lifes.
I believe Dr. Marks is headed in the right direction by alerting people to be prepared. He has asked many questions that I beleive could be answered by trying an Amish lifestyle and I believe if he tried this lifestyle he would agree with me on this.
Dr. Marks has made a brilliant point. It is so often that we become complacent in our lives and forget what true evil there is out there waiting to hurt us as Americans. Until you or someone you know has had to face such tragedy you don’t realize how much of an affect not “acting now” will have on your life. As the wife of an agent who was shot protecting our border, I had to face the reality of the kind of evil that is out there. You must be prepared NOW! Do not wait and learn the hard way like I did. You just never know what will happen next and the current events tell us just that! Thank you, Dr. Marks for giving us the instruction we need to prepare for the reality of protecting ourselves and our loved ones when we least expect it!
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