Small steps make a big difference
When an ice storm in the winter of 1997 left them without power for more than a week, the Meyer family discovered the importance of preparedness. "Without the generator, we would have been in a bad situation because at that point, there were no generators available," says Shereen. "We felt very, very blessed that power lines were our only major problem that winter."
Read more about the steps the Meyers have taken.
A tool for you and your family
When a disaster strikes, the impact will lessen if people are prepared. "The Family Preparedness Guide is all about reducing the impact," says Tim Vangerud, safety and security manager, safety officer and chairperson of the Emergency Preparedness Committee at MeritCare.
A pandemic at a glance
How bad could a pandemic be? How much would it disrupt daily life? "One of the challenges in pandemic preparedness is it is impossible for public health officials to know how severe a pandemic will be until it begins," says Joan Cook, R.N., infection control manager at MeritCare.
Step-by-step: How to make a family plan
Step 1: Evaluate, Step 2: Prepare, Step 3: Monitor and Act, Step 4: Update
Helping kids cope
Disasters can be scary for everyone, but even more so for kids. After a disaster, kids most fear that they will be separated from family, the event will happen again, someone will be injured or killed or they will be left alone.
Disaster preparation for family members with special needs
Families with members who have special needs must take extra steps to make sure they're prepared in case of a crisis.
Emergency preparedness branches out
A well-planned emergency response needs teamwork, including county, community and all the entities that make a community a great place to live: schools, churches, businesses and more. How prepared is your community?
You can help – Caring for others during a disaster
Much of this special issue of Valley Health Journal focuses on how you and your family can prepare for a disaster. But if a disaster does strike, your friends, neighbors, community and state may need your help, too. One way to put your knowledge, skills and concern for others into action during a crisis is to register as a medical volunteer. Medical volunteers are individuals who may be called upon in times of disaster to help deliver important, emergency services within their own communities, their state or another state where a disaster has occurred.