Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone who has lost loved ones and suffered through the recent hurricanes, floods and storms. Our prayers are with you as you work to put your lives and homes back together. In attempting to learn environmental lessons from these tragic events we in no way mean to look past the human suffering, only to learn what can be learned about preventing or diminishing tragedy in the future. Those who own or manage campgrounds, RV parks, resorts, vacation facilities, motels, hotels and various other places where people come to stay always want to learn more and do more to keep their guests safe. For them and for all of us, the aftermath of disaster is both a time to grieve and a time to learn.
Storms are one example of where ecology and environment meet. Ecology describes how the earth functions. Environmental studies describe how ecology affects us. As biological creatures we are users and consumers of what is in our environment while at the same time being part of our environment. Ecological upheavals remind us, often tragically, that we are vulnerable. What is in our environment can harm us or kill us just as easily as it can nourish and comfort us. Here are some learnings and reminders that come to mind.
Heed the warnings, evacuate early and be prepared well in advance with food, water, radio, batteries and flashlights.
Does your facility have a good working warning system? Do you have a safe shelter for the types of storms that occur in your area?
Do you have adequate first aid supplies in that shelter?
Do you have a good emergency communication system with the outside world?
Are escape routes well known?
Do you have a supply of safe drinking water and food for several days?
Do you have at least an outline of what needs to happen afterwards? Where should people go? Who will be in charge? What kind of assistance will most likely be needed immediately? First aid, medical attention, shelter, food, water, medicine and temporary sanitation will be the immediate needs for survival.
Depending on the event, there are weeks or months of recovery work to be considered. Wind events and ice storms leave downed trees to be removed, power lines to be restored, medical emergency transport and medical care needs that might not be obvious at first glance. Many people need prescriptions refilled but cannot get to the pharmacy. Sometimes the pharmacy has been destroyed.
With flood events there is the lingering danger of mold and other contaminants. It is essential to dry out flooded structures immediately in order to protect against mold. And there is always the concern about chemicals, toxins, and disease: what else in the water was left behind?
With forest fires, brushfires and dust storms there is worry about allergens and dust. Those with asthma and lung disease need to know whether the air quality is safe. Given that many of those who use RVs are elderly and have chronic health problems, concerns about air quality and easy access to medical care are often matters of life and death. They are always important for quality of life.
You are most likely not alone when it comes to planning for emergencies. Most, if not all cities and counties have an office of Emergency Management Response. These directors are increasingly well trained, professional and conscientious men and women who take their responsibilities seriously. They work closely with fire, rescue, transport and homeland security personnel and agencies. They will be the first to know whether the National Guard has been activated. They will be the best informed and the ones in charge when an emergency occurs. Like the County Conservation Office, the EMR is there for one reason only: to serve those who need their help. Make sure you keep up to date with information and advice from this office when there are no emergencies. Be sure to keep handy several numbers by which to contact them in an emergency.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Like insurance, let's all hope it turns out that emergency preparedness was never needed. When it is needed it is too late to prepare. The reality is that no place is totally safe from everything: fire, power outages, wind, floods, blizzards, earthquakes, pollution and many variations thereof.
We do our best to be prepared and stick together in case something bad happens.
Again, our hearts go out to those who have been involved in the recent and not-so-recent disasters that seem to be coming from all directions.
Losoncy is president of Clean Up America, Inc., a company that markets evaporative waterless toilets. To learn more: http://www.Eloo.ws
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