14.4 Think About It

As we begin to think about being active and prepared, explore this website (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and the links that are specific to your region or area of interest to learn more about health (physical and psychosocial) and environmental impacts or preparedness needs for these disaster precipitators.

 Winter Weather Emergencies

Winter storm debris
Winter weather and storms can range from mild to severe, and can include dangerously low temperatures, snow, sleet, and hail, along with strong and blinding winds. These storms can affect wide geographic areas, and may contribute to serious health and safety concerns.

I chose winter weather emergencies because I actually I have not experienced a winter weather storm in 4 years since I moved to Sacramento. I remember preparing for a blizzard but it was not a safety precaution type of preparedness it was more of making sure we had food in the house and enough snacks because we knew that we were going to be snowed in and watching movies all day and that the stores were going to be closed. 

As I got older I became more aware of the effects of winter storms and low temperatures. One year the temperature was extremely low and I assisted with providing shelter for the homeless because of the freezing temperatures. There were some cases where homeless people would die from hypothermia because they did not have anywhere to stay but outside.

In California we have the Disaster Healthcare Volunteer Site, where healthcare professionals and those with healthcare experience can express a desire to be a volunteer should a disaster happen. Is there something similar where you live? It is good to know that California has a website where volunteers can sign up to help those in need during a disaster. I think that this is really important because during the wildfires I wanted to help but did not know who to contact and what folks were in need of. I was able to donate a couple of boxes of diapers and wipes because my job was collecting items to take a site for those that were affected by the fires. Everybody should sign up to volunteer because no one knows if or when they will hit with a disaster. 

Comments

  1. ALI AL AQEELIMay 1, 2018 at 8:36 PM

    Hi Brittany, Volunteering is great idea and experience, so everybody need to get that experience in order to be prepared for any future event that can occurs in our communities. Training and eduction in dealing with disasters will be have great impact on reducing the post-disaster impact.

    ReplyDelete

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