What have we learned from Sandy?

I want you to spend a little bit of time watching the video that is linked below.

This video is about the Mormon Helping Hands organization and how they jumped to action following Hurricane Sandy in New York City.  These people didn't do this just to spread their religion; they did this because it was the right thing to do. 

I want you to pay close attention to the surroundings and the environment that they were working in.  Put yourself in the victims’ shoes.  How would you react to this situation?  What if you were evacuated before the storm, and had no idea how bad your home would be when you finally were allowed back into the area…Are you prepared mentally and emotionally to deal with the aftermath of a catastrophe?

Helping Hands Video 

After watching this video, I realized one major flaw in my preparedness plan.

I have spent a lot of time worrying and preparing for the "event", but I haven't spent any time at all thinking or preparing for the aftermath.  Am I prepared to clean this mess up?  Do I have the tools necessary to do the job?

A catastrophe like this will have a HUGE psychological impact on the victims.  What can I do now to prepare myself and my loved ones for something like this?  This subject needs it's own blog post that I will work on soon...

In the mean time - I also picked up on a couple things that I need to purchase.

The volunteers all were wearing Rain or Flood Boots.

They all used Double Gloves.  

      1 - Nitrile Gloves (latex and powder free) 

      2 - Thicker Rubber or PVC Gloves over the top.

Face Masks are a Must! - You don't want to breathe the mold and other toxins that are in the air after a catastrophe like this.

I also noticed that one of the volunteers was dragging a sled.  That's a great idea!  Much easier to drag water-logged materials than to try to carry it.

What else did I miss?


Mormon Helping Hands Organization

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Self-Reliance?

self-re·li·ance
Reliance on one's own capabilities, judgment, or resources; independence.

I pulled this screenshot off of the Drudge Report tonight.

• Drivers waiting 6 hours for gas in NYC
• "We have nothing"
• Residents furious RED CROSS offering cookies and hot chocolate, not blankets or clothes
• Staten Islanders plead for help, "We Need Food"
• Dire
• NJ counties enact 70s style gas rationing

A lot of these people are NOT self-reliant.  They are waiting for help to come.  They are told that help is coming, but what are they supposed to do in the mean time?  The word is that FEMA is out and about, but there is not enough of them to do any good.  People have to help themselves AND help each other.  The government can not be relied upon.
Please understand...I'm not passing judgement on the people that are screaming for the government to help.  They are in a very desperate situation.  I get that. I am so blessed to not be stuck on the east coast like these people are.  My heart goes out to them.
But...
I HAVE TO learn from this catastrophe and begin reassessing myself and my level of self-reliance.  As I sit back and really think about it...I am nowhere near where I need to be if I were put into this situation.

A couple of things I have learned by reading first hand accounts as well as news articles, concerning Super Storm Sandy

1 - Back to Basics - It's the basic things that these people need.  More than anything else, they need Food, Water, Shelter, Clothing.  For a lot of people, a basic 72 hour kit would have made all the difference in the world for some of these people.  A 96 hour kit would have been that much better.  These people are going on day 5 without the basics.  When was the last time you updated your kit? - http://www.prepyourfamily.com/search?q=kit

2- Information - Without electricity, television, the internet, cell phones...These people are not getting the information they need to stay alive.  Where can I find some food?  How do I find my family?  What's going on with the weather? - I am the kind of guy that needs information.  I absolutely have to know what is going on, and what to expect.  At the very least, make sure you have a battery powered radio!  If you have the money, go for an Eton Emergency Radio like the FRX3
As far as communicating with others, get some GMRS/FRS (Walkie-Talkies).  You can purchase some inexpensive radios or some that are a bit higher priced.  The best thing is that they are all interoperable, and invaluable when cell service is down.  Another cool radio I found is the Midland GMRS/FRS Crank Radio - Great for those times that you can't find batteries.  Just crank it up and you are good to go.

I guess that's all I have tonight.  I have so much more that I want to write, but I have a lot of work to do.  I am NOT (yet) prepared fully.  

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