Nine years ago, this community began to prepare. Nine years ago, we ran this article, and nine years later, it is still relevant. This was (I think) it is the very first “Cordova Prepared” article I ever submitted. I didn’t know very much at that time, but I knew more about disaster than the average reader, so it was worth sharing that knowledge. I’m sharing that article again, because it is perhaps the most important article I have written. We must get our families ready. Please be encouraged to actually do it.
“Is your family ready? Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. Cordova’s potential hazards may include an earthquake, an avalanche, a pandemic flu, a tsunami, a plane crash or ash falling from the sky. Your family may have to abruptly leave your home or be confined to your home. Families can – and do – cope with disasters such as these by preparing in advance.
The first step to protect yourselves is to prepare a Family Disaster Plan. This plan is not a vague ideology, a random list of ideas, or an evening discussion with your kids. Instead, it is a purposeful, deliberate set of actions that require commitment and time. The family disaster plan begins by educating yourselves; find out what could happen to your family in Cordova.
Cordova’s disaster management team has created a list of potential hazards in Cordova, which can be viewed on the city website. Go to www.cityofcordova.net and click on the link for “Cordova Prepared.” You will find the hazards in the Emergency Operations Plan. For each of those potential hazards, gather information on how to prepare for them. Much of that specific information will be discussed in this column over the next six months.
So, what can you do now, today? You may begin this week by finding out what the disaster plan is at your workplace, your children’s school or day care center, your church, and other places where your family spends time. As you ask, you may find that many places do not yet have a plan. The city of Cordova is not unlike many other small towns across America, just beginning this process. Disaster planning is time-consuming and hard to relate to, until a disaster actually happens. Let’s be one step ahead. If there is no plan in place where you inquire, don’t complain — offer to help create one.
As always. Be prudent. Be ready. Be prepared.
So that was it, the first article. We are closer to our goal of being prepared now. Cordovans have taken it very seriously, have worked very hard training and have supported our efforts to prepare the city. And I have had the honor to be a part of that effort. I thank you for your hard work, as I hand off the job to two capable and exciting young Cordova women this summer. Please support them as enthusiastically as you have me. They have been working with Dick Groff and I for months, as we have been mentoring them. They did this on their own time with no compensation. Welcome!
Heather Brannon and Stephanie Belgarde to the world of disasters. Dreaming disasters. Planning for disasters. Training for disasters. You will take Cordova to the next level.
And as soon as they feel like they know enough to write articles, maybe you will see more Cordova Prepared missives. I can promise you they write better than I do!
As always. Be prudent. Be ready. Be Prepared.
