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Categories: Articles, Hazel Rosetta Smith,
By Hazel Rosetta Smith
I
t is impossible to live in a metropolis like New York City and not experience the searing screech of fire trucks, the raging urgency of flashing police vehicles, or the alternate beeping of ambulances signaling to get out of the way.
Those are the sounds of urgent help needed and responders are on their way. All help is equally important; however, what happens when help cannot get through to you? Are you ready to go if the fire alarm resounds in your building and you have to evacuate your apartment? Or, the city is under blackout or bricks are falling, all around.
Reality says we may never be prepared for disasters, they come unexpectedly and inconveniently. Though we do not want to imagine being jolted into an emergency moment, there are steps to be taken that are necessary and will prove to be your saving grace in the end.
I attended a session recently held by the New York State Citizen Preparedness Corps. Three words – Prepare, Respond, and Recover were guidelines for understanding how to help you and your family in an emergency.
The basics of instruction for preparedness are four steps: Develop an Emergency Plan (emergency contact information of family and friends); Build a Kit (electricity and telephone service may not work, be prepared to be on your own for at least 7-10 days, maybe longer.); Be Aware (pay attention to news reports and know your surroundings); Get Involved (learn what types of programs for volunteers exist within your community and attend training classes.)
Every member of your family should have a grab-and-go bag. Just in case items are mandatory, such as bandages, hygiene and sanitizing wipes, batteries, a flashlight, and even a whistle, among others. Copies of photo IDs, proof of property ownership, deeds, leases, health insurance membership cards, and other insurance policies, phone numbers, and email contacts, secured in a plastic zip-lock bag.
As I listened to how to create my grab-and-go bag, I thought about the life-saving prescriptions I consume daily. This is an important conversation to have with your primary physician as to whether you can purchase additional refills for emergencies.
There were pertinent inquiries from attendees and valuable information provided by Emmanuel A. Acevedo and Anthony Chen, members of the Army National Guard, and leaders of the program for Citizen Preparedness Corps. [For information contact www.prepare.ny.gov]
The preparedness session was presented to the Harlem community as mind, body, and spirit programming by Linda Thompson, leader of the Health Ministry of the Abyssinian Baptist Church. In addition to an Emergency Information Handbook, attendees were given a hefty backpack of survival items.
This event was another example of how knowledge is power. You will not know until you go to the kind of programs that will open your mind to ways to do better and be better, healthy, and happy. Touche Thompson!
[Hazel Rosetta Smith is a journalist, playwright, and artistic director for Help Somebody Theatrical Ministries. Contact: misshazel@twc.com]
