Madrid is a wakeup call: Be prepared

[BEER980]

Get your BOB together

By THERESA BISCHOFF

The unexpected and horrific bombing of commuter trains in Madrid last week underscored how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected on your commute, in your home and in your office. Yet 2-1/2 years after Sept. 11, a new survey shows that most New Yorkers are still not fully prepared for an emergency and need more training.
In a recent poll - telephone interviews with 602 city residents and 204 small businesses the week of Feb. 23 - the American Red Cross in Greater New York found that 74% of residents and 61% of business owners are only "somewhat" or "not very prepared" for an emergency.

About half of the city's residents and business leaders have taken basic steps, such as creating an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, water, batteries, etc., and these are important steps. But flashlights are not enough.

"I am somewhat prepared, but you can't do everything," replied one poll respondent.

The truth is that you can do a lot more. Whether it's a blizzard or a blackout, business leaders need to shore up their facilities, their data and have a postdisaster plan in place. Residents need to have a communications plan, a meeting place and a supplies kit and get trained in basic first aid or CPR. About half the residents say they have not planned an evacuation route - a very important step.

So why aren't more New Yorkers prepared? Most respondents say they don't have the time or the money, but there are deeper reasons as well.

"I guess the element of the unknown; not having a clue where it's going to come from makes it difficult," said another poll respondent.

Not knowing exactly what type of emergency might occur and fear of the unknown are major obstacles. That is understandable. But the truth is, the essentials of preparing are useful in any emergency. Whatever the crisis, you will still want to reach your family and friends; you will still need basic supplies such as water and food, and you need to have meeting places planned in advance.

In addition, mental health experts tell me that when you are prepared, you feel better and act more effectively. Preparedness is the antidote to fear. Creating a plan is relatively easy and takes only a few hours. We urge all New Yorkers to take the time to think about their own preparedness and what they will do in the event of an emergency - a natural disaster or otherwise.

New Yorkers are smart and resilient. The steps to preparedness are easy, and we are there to help. Bischoff is chief executive officer of the American Red Cross in Greater New York.

Originally published on March 19, 2004


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[Guest]

In addition, mental health experts tell me that when you are prepared, you feel better and act more effectively. Preparedness is the antidote to fear. Creating a plan is relatively easy and takes only a few hours. We urge all New Yorkers to take the time to think about their own preparedness and what they will do in the event of an emergency - a natural disaster or otherwise.

Plus you are confident ( not over-confident) about your chances of survival if an incident should take place.

[Rainband]

Seems like they know something they aren't saying

[Colin]

Isn't that always how it is Johnathan?

[streetsoldier]

I have been preaching preparedness for YEARS....and more often than not, my call has fallen upon deaf ears.

It seems as though "If one hears the sound of a distant drummer, close the window".

[azskyman]

Bill, in this instance, the drummers are multiplying ten fold, then a hundred fold, in celebration of the political clout that murder seems to carry.

Your warnings may fall on deaf ears, but they will not silence the noise of those who work at fever-pitch to buy their way to eternity with a ticket made with explosives.

The world will see more ugliness like Madrid. So will the US of A, I'm afraid.

[streetsoldier]

Well, the lines are drawn, aren't they?

OK, then..for every Allahu akbar! ("God is great") I hear, there will be a response of Deus vult! ("God wills it") from me, followed by whatever means I have available to send them to meet their 72 Virginians.

They want a "Frankish Crusader", they GOT one.

[azsnowman]

We should ALWAYS be prepared to meet our maker, the chances of getting killed in a car accident, home invasion, accident within our homes are FAR greater than the threats from these radicals!

Dennis