There are several postings on this board to the effect that there will be an investigation into the failures of preparation and response for the disaster this week on the Gulf Coast. I cannot imagine our leadership passing up the opportunity for wholesale pointing of fingers and assignment of blame. Of course there will be an investigation. Just like the investigations in to the 1992 WTC bombing, the Colombine shooting, 9/11. Many of those calling for an investigation have been in government since well before 9/11. Exactly whose failures do they think they will be investigating? Would your community leadership have performed better in this situation? What changes did you make in your lives based on these investigations? Remember the plastic sheeting and duct tape suggestions?

It seems apparent government at every level is likely to have significant limitations in the ability to protect us individually.

There are people in civilized society who will not accept responsibility for their own safety or protection. Some cannot because they lack the resources or are limited by age, infirmities, mental illness or institutionalization. Others will not.

That leaves those of us who can and will to accept responsibility to prepare ourselves to protect our families and do what we can for others.

Critical incident preparation should include not only food and water supplies and a first aid kit. Here are some other things you want to have at the ready:
1. identification for each member of your family (ss #'s, too)
2. a supply of medications regularly taken
3. ice
4. maps
5. a full tank of gas
6. paper towels, bleach, sanitary cleanser
7. a copy of your will, medical directives, power of attorney
8. pet medical records and a carrier or leash for each pet
9. a plan which you have discussed with your family which includes what to do if you are separated and if the crisis occurs while you are away from home and a checklist to make sure you remember what you want.

There were warnings about the approach of Katrina. Don't expect one for tornados, biological attacks, bombs, outbreaks of highly communicable disease (ever considered what you would do if your child was quarantined at a school and you were evacuated).

What are you doing differently? Let's learn from this exchange. Tell me what you think should be in a person's critical incident response plan. Preparation won't save everyone; but, it will save some. Thanks, Fodorites. Bless those who are suffering from this disaster.

Good post, cmc.

Honestly, we were much more prepared for any type of disaster when we lived in San Diego, 1.5 years ago. We were fairly prepared for earthquakes, fires (for which we did have to evacuate once), tsunamis, and any sort of attack from terrorists. Now we live in Tulsa, OK, and we have relaxed our emergency preparedness. We have our storm shelter stocked with all the essentials, but other than that we're not as prepared as we used to be. I guess we don't feel as threatened, and we really should be prepared for anything. As vulnerable as we are as a country right now, everyone should.

Good point, Jocelyn. We don't always know what the threat is, remember the shock when we realized it was American men who bombed the Murragh Building in Oklahoma City?

Come on, Fodorites, talk to me.

10. Keep cash on hand.

11.small medical emergency kit

12. lots of bottled water
13. battery powered am radio

14. Buying flood insurance.

Frankie, yes, a cc radio! I have one of those!

15. A propane gas burning stove and canned goods.

16. Gas mask - yes, I have had them in my house since 9/11.

Great ideas! Keep 'em coming.

17. Mosquito repellant.

-Freeze bottles, gallon jugs of water
-Have Balance/Powers bars which are small and easy to take with you and you can take days worth.

One thing we did differently between one hurricane and the next was freeze as many bottles of water, gallon jugs, etc we could and not only did it help sustain ice, it gave drinking, cleaning water as well.

More,more, more. These are great ideas.

These are some other items in our storm shelter not mentioned:
Flashlight.
Extra batteries for flashlight and radio.
Can opener for the canned food.
Small plastic cups for the water.
Plastic utensils for the canned food (we had beans and tuna--hearty and nutritious).

Hi cmcfong, here is my list: A lot already mentioned but not up to weeding through all the post.

Be prepared for 3 days..although I feel at least being prepared for 5 days minimun is better.

Being prepared means being able to take care of yourself and any household members, with hopefully enough in excess to help any neighbor that needs help.

Water
Food that can be eaten cold such as pork and beans, tuna, power bars, canned fruit etc. Frozen bread is good also.
A nonelectric can opener
Plastic glasses and paper plates and bowls.
Clorex, paper towels and rubber gloves.
Medication, prescription and over the counter meds.
Medical supplies, bandaids, gauze,alcohol etc.
Cash, all in small denominations.
Gasoline, always fill up when your vehicles get to half a tank.
Briefcase or some kind of a tote bag that has photocopies of your insurance health card, pertinent medical information and information regarding checking, stock brokerage accounts, credit card accounts etc. along with copy of any Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, will or living trust etc. Negatives of precious photos..or if your photos are on your computer a CD backup. An address book with phone numbers of anyone that you would want to contact when possible. Add their email addresses also. Try to update it from time to time. That is a good place to put cash btw. You can grab the briefcase and run!

I tend to change purses and consequently put my wallet, cellphone etc. in a drawer all the time. Probably keeping important items like this in a purse is best, so it can be grabbed in case of emergency.

Battery operated radio.
A good battery operated lantern. Mine is a Coleman.
A few strong flashlights.
Check the batteries from time to time to make sure they are still usable.
Extra batteries.
If you have precious (to you) jewelry try to keep it in one jewerly box so that you can grab it if need be.

Have if at all possible an out of state phone number you can call to let that household know you are alright, or whatever your status is. Make sure all your loved ones know that is the number you will be calling. They can call that one number to find out how you are.

Don't flame me but a few bottles of wine and a corkscrew is helpful!

Always have one good pair of shoes that will work for you in an emergency and that completely cover your feet along with clothes that would be good for an emergency such as jeans, Tshirt, sweater, jacket, sweatshirt, whatever.

If you have the storage, old milk bottles cleaned and filled with water to put in the toilet tank in case you are without water. That way you can flush the toilet.

Filling up the bathtub (especially if an earthquake hits) is good too, for the toilet tank etc.

Sanitary supplies.

Know who may be elderly or ill in your neighborhood so you can help them if need be.

I obviously have gotten "relaxed" since our 1989 SF earthquake. This thread is a wakeup call to me!!!

I am down to a quarter of a tank of gas, not a lot of cash on hand, briefcase is empty.

Thanks cmcfong. This is a good thread and a public service IMO. Take care!

Remember that many emergency shelters will NOT take pets. And don't rely on the local vet's office as an emergency shelter for your pet, because the veterinary staff is going to be evacuating, too!

Make sure you have extra pet food and any medications your pet needs. Also, please keep your pet's vaccinations up to date and proof of vax.

We have a list of hotels that will take pets, in the event we have to leave here.

Great stuff, folks. Just keep it coming!

PS LoveItaly, no way would I flame you for bringing a bottle of wine. It is good for the digestion, so I see it as almost medicinal.

Hi cmcfong, well you and my European born grandfather who had vineyards here in N CA would have gotten along just great! He always said the same thing. BTW, so did the Dr. I had for 30 years. Loved that guy, LOL. But just to be prepared, more then one bottle of wine I think...especially if one has to be prepared for five days, LOL. Take good care! And may we not see any more disasters for a long time.

Wine!!! I knew I was missing something....

See, I told you this would be a good excercise. We are learning from each other.