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