Disaster Tactics, llc

The Disaster Supplies Kit Myths

The greatest challenge of working in the emergency management / preparedness field is not convincing people that they need to prepare (everyone pretty much agrees they do) - but rather to get them to do something... anything... to actually get prepared. However, when people do take that first step, it is often to buy a commercial off-the-shelf pre-made disaster supplies kit, or to put one together yourself based solely on the list you got from the FEMA or another government website. After all, it is fairly easy to do and it makes you feel like you have accomplished something - which is true - you have taken an important first step!

Unfortunately, many people stop their preparedness efforts there, often due to the following mis-perceptions...

Myth #1: Having a disaster supplies kit means you are prepared for a disaster.

Reality: A disaster supplies kit is only one element of being prepared.

Without knowledge, a good plan and at least some training, a disaster supplies kit is just a bag of "stuff." Only by going through the planning process can you determine the the skills, knowledge and resources you will need to overcome the challenges posed by an emergency or disaster situation. Our disaster preparedness professionals can greatly assist you in this effort.

Myth #2: One size fits all.

Reality: A good kit is custom tailored to support your plan and meet your specific needs.

Commercial off-the-shelf disaster preparedness kits come in lots of different shapes, sizes, colors, and price-points. Some contain good, high-quality items, some are a grab-bag of lesser-quality items of questionable use, and often it's a mixture of both. Whatever the case, an off-the-shelf kit is at best a starting point, as even the best pre-made kit is still very "generic" when it comes to addressing the specific requirement of your plan.

Case Study: In August 2003, a massive power-outage in the northeastern United States shut down a five state area, forcing tens of thousands to walk home from work that day. How many of those people were probably wearing uncomfortable dress shoes?

While you will probably never see "one comfortable pair of walking shoes" on a generic disaster supplies kit list, if your plan suggests you may have to walk home from work (and you normally wear shoes you would not want to do that in) - then that item just became an essential part of your "at work" disaster preparedness kit. There are many items you won't see on those generic lists that could be essential for your particular circumstance. Do you know what they are? We do.

Myth #3: It all fits in a backpack.

Reality: A "kit" is more than just the items inside the "disaster backpack" you keep at work, at school or at home.

A disaster supplies "kit" includes anything you would rely on to keep you alive and healthy until the situation stabilizes or returns to "normal." In some cases, this could be a few hours. In others, it could be days, weeks, or even months.

Being "prepared" is a relative statement: prepared for what? We will show you how to think like an emergency manager, leverage your resources, and develop preparedness strategies that make sense for your particular circumstances.

Myth #4: You only need 3 days worth of food, water, and other supplies.

Reality: It could easily take longer than 3 days for relief supplies to reach you, depending on the nature of the disaster and your individual circumstances.

For years government emergency management agencies have told the public to have enough food, water, and other essential supplies to last 3 days for each person in the household. While not explicitly stated, the implication is that relief supplies will be in place and available by day four. However, anyone who saw the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, or the more recent snow storms across the country, now knows this is simply not always possible, even if it is the goal.

Three days of supplies is a merely the suggested minimum, but we can show you how to extend your resources for self-reliance in ways that are easy to manage and cost-effective.

For more information, give us a call at 206-838-8010.