Emergency Survival Kits & Supplies

PK Safety Supply is located in Northern California. That means we have always had a special affinity for natural disasters. While people from other parts of the country may think we constantly worry about the next ‘Big One’ to hit, the reality is that once you have lived here a while it sort of fades into the background. After all, other than the occasional rumble that many don’t even notice, we may go decades without a serious temblor.

And of course, that is the problem. Constant worrying solves nothing, but taking small actions now gives piece of mind and prepares you for the inevitable. In our case, an Earthquake will happen, just as surely as the Sun will rise. Other parts of the country have Tornados, which may strike a particular place rarely, but whose regular annual visits serve to warn the unwary. On the Gulf Coast it was a Hurricane that brought home the message. In the North East it may be an epic Snowstorm. All of these events may in some way have their trauma blunted for those who are prepared.

This does not have to be an expensive or dramatic undertaking. As our Checklist serves to highlight, many of the items needed for your environment are already either in your home or office, or are readily available. All that is needed is to make a plan and share it with the people in your home or office. Further, many other actions, such as making an inventory of your possessions, are helpful even if the disaster is not caused by Mother Nature.

As Hurricane Katrina has shown us, in the event of a natural disaster we will most likely be on our own for a few days to a few weeks. And unless some fairly dramatic changes occur in our Government response agencies, this won’t get better anytime soon. As a leader, whether in your home or office, it then becomes our responsibility to prepare at least a basic plan of action. This may involve putting Disaster Kits in place, or perhaps working out a communications plan so that employees may work from home where appropriate. The point is to brainstorm some likely scenarios for your area so that our families or employees can make preparations off the same page.

Many communities have volunteer Disaster Preparedness groups supported by local first responder agencies such as police and fire departments. These are in many cases your best source of area specific planning help. A phone call or a visit now, before a calamity, is a good way to get the ball rolling. In my area, some employers even give paid time to participate in planning sessions with local agencies. Fostering a relationship with your Police or Fire Department now can be beneficial in the future.

Rick Pedley
pks-store@pksafety.com