Get Home - Yours or a Friend's

The news coming from the aftermath of Sandy the Terrible is pretty much what we have heard after every other major disaster: People are dangerous! As a result, I have recommitted to one belief and am rethinking another.

(1) I continue to believe the single most important item to develop is a good Get Home kit.

(2)  I no longer believe I would be very helpful to strangers in need. Sorry.

I have stated before that everyone should properly prepare to Shelter in Place. Let’s expand that a little. You should prepare your home so you, family members, and a few select friends, can shelter together safely after a major disaster. Some other family members and friends should do the same. In this manner, you and your family will have at least one alternative escape location prepared and available if your primary home/shelter is destroyed or unreachable.

A few days ago I mentioned the concept that the first 24 hours after any disaster is usually relatively safe as the crooks and creeps get their act together. We saw this again on the East Coast where people began pretending to be aid workers or inspectors in order to gain entry to homes to commit crimes against the disaster victims. In addition, people set up dummy “need help” scenarios on the roads to get good Samaritans to stop – and be attacked. I have always prided myself on being the kind of “good” person who would stop to offer aid to a stranger. That practice is now being rethought.

Make note - there have been very few instances reported of neighbors attacking neighbors. It is good to work with your neighbors prior to disasters to build a stronger community which will come together to support each other. This also provides a larger number of bodies in order to stand watch if needed. But beware of those from outside!

Here is what you need to do:

(1) Adequately prepare your home to shelter in place – for your family and a few others.

(2)  Identify a partner family that will do exactly the same. Their home should be accessible from your region but not in the same neighborhood so it will not be destroyed by the same regional disaster.

(3) Set up Get Home Kits for every family member that includes maps and supplies to reach either of the two designated destinations. Some people may want to designate a tertiary destination.

(4)  Develop a Communication Plan to help coordinate information on which destination the family members should be heading for after a disaster. This will also help determine if individuals in your group need help.

(5) EVERY ONE must commit to reaching the destination within one day (even if on foot). After that time frame, the roads will simply be too dangerous for most people to safely travel.

(6) While a coworker  or child’s visiting playmate may tag along, no one should pick up strays along the route!

Remember, after the first 24 hours, humanity can get you killed. Sorry – it is just the nature of desperate people.