The Haitian Earthquake is Another Wake-up Call

     Many, whose families and friends were not affected by the earthquake and tsunami that hit the Pacific Islands in Tonga and Samoa on September 27, 2009, might already have forgotten about that disaster. How easy it is to put unpleasant events behind us if they do not affect us directly. Now, the devastating earthquake that took place in Haiti on January 12 is another serious wake-up call for everyone who lives in an earthquake area.
     Of course, this might include most of America. What might surprise many is the fact that there are earthquake faults throughout the Midwestern United States and even in the Atlantic region of this country. Geologists say that the time might be overdue for an earthquake to occur in other major urban centers in this country.
     We all know, too well, the danger posed by hurricanes, tornadoes, mudslides and other natural and man-made disasters. So, no area of this country is safe from a potential disaster. How many times have we heard that we must prepare ourselves and our families with enough food and medical supplies to survive on our own for 72 hours in case a disaster occurs. The majority of us have probably not done this.
      But it is not a question of "if" a disaster strikes, it is becoming all too clear, it's now a case of "when" the disaster strikes. We're told, "Don't panic. Simply prepare." Of course, there are those who will always say, "What will be, will be." This might be true, but we have choices and, given the choice, an ounce of prevention and planning is always better than a pound of trying to manage when you're in the middle of the creek without a lifeboat, life preserver or paddle.
      The U.S. Federal Government is now requiring all cities and municipalities to have emergency preparedness plans. Residents should be required to have them, too. The life saved might be one's own. It might also be the life of a friend or a loved one.
     For more information on my show which talks about what one city is doing to prepare for a natural or man-made disaster, log onto www.epatoday.org/tv.html and read about Emergency Preparedness: Creating a Master Plan. You can now also see a slideshow I posted that features the guests who appeared on my show in October 2009. That show, called Dealing with a Natural Disaster, discussed the earthquake and tsunami that hit the Pacific Islands.
     Now I need to ask, "Are you prepared for any impending disaster that might affect you and your family when it strikes in your area?" Have you done anything at all to stock up on non-perishable food and medical supplies? If you haven't made any preparations, why not?