Fire Department

Emergency Preparedness

This year we will look at several creative websites regarding emergency preparedness. One of the most colorful and artistic government websites with a preparedness theme comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About ten years ago, the CDC created an emergency preparedness campaign titled “Zombie Preparedness,” introducing a bit of humor into a serious topic. The CDC included a good “all-hazards” checklist of items to have in your home. The checklist can be found on the online article here. Given our current situation, some of the suggestions on the checklist are a bit dated. Three days of food and seven days of medications probably won’t be adequate if we get a shelter-in-place order that lasts for two weeks or more. Two weeks’ worth of food, water and medications should be our goal. Some government agencies in other states have advocated for shutdowns or stay-at-home orders lasting several weeks. We’ve been fortunate in southern Utah to be able to do most of our normal activities with minimal inconvenience, and shortages haven’t been an issue. Take the time to prepare while supplies in stores are plentiful. The CDC also published an accompanying graphic novel to engage younger people and adults in preparedness titled, “Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic.” For being a decade old, the storyline of the graphic novel contains some very up-to-date themes that relate to the current pandemic. It can be viewed and downloaded here; cdc.gov/cpr/zombie. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country. Let’s get out and enjoy the warm weather. Have a great new year!

–Ward Symes

            Fire Department  WashingtonCity.org/fire