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Originally published on March 19, 2004 by
The New York Daily News
By Theresa Bischoff, CEO of the
American Red Cross in Greater New York
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.
(Reprinted with permission)
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