The Basic Guide on Civil War Emergency Preparation

The Basic Guide on Civil War Emergency Preparation

Peace has become an elusive dream for the whole world especially now that the world powers are scampering for world supremacy. Each powerful nation seems to have a secret nuclear arsenal that is on standby in case some other super country is prepared to expose its own nuclear power.

While people all over the world should be concerned about a third world war that will surely be swift considering the use of the nuclear arsenal of every powerful country, people however have to be prepared for something just brewing around the corner.

The risk of a civil war erupting in just about any country is an ever present risk that should be looked into not only by world leaders and the church but also by every person concerned about the safety of his community.

Some countries like Africa have become numbed to strife including civil wars that they no longer anticipate when it is going to happen again. War has displaced more than twenty five million Africans, most of whom live in evacuation camps, with nary a decent roof to shelter even the children.

Like any other war, Civil war can be deadly and can affect majority of the population especially children who could not fend for themselves. Every civil war carries with it human rights abuses from both military and civilians.

The tragedy resulting from every Civil War the world has known is so encompassing. Take this: four million Sudan residents displaced, more than two million lives lost; more than 70 million people in Ethiopia hungry; add the millions of people suffering in Somalia and Ethiopia. This is the face of civil war and every person has to prepare for such an eventuality.

Every family should create an emergency plan no matter what emergency should arise. They should not rely on their governments if they do not want to suffer separation, suffering and death in the government-designated evacuation camps.

Families should consider taking survival courses which may include self defense lessons as well as gun firing lessons. Gun firing can be a family affair although children should be cautioned against the dangers of using guns in ordinary circumstances.

A family would b e better off preparing an emergency first aid kit which should contain the basic medicine for ordinary illnesses. However, a family should from special illnesses like diabetes or asthma and include the basic lie saving and maintenance medicines in the safety kit.

People who live in places that are susceptible to civil war and other emergencies should also pack a special kit which should contain sturdy shoes for family members, maps, all-purpose knife or a Swiss Knife would be better, canned goods, and basic toiletries like soap.

Take every important thing but take only the basic necessities because when a civil war erupts, there may be a chance that the family would be displaced and may b e forced to survive for weeks or even months on the road escaping violence.

Preparing for the eventuality of a civil war is not like courting danger or wishing for it to happen. Rather, it is making sure that the family increases its survival rate when such event happens. It is always better to be prepared for any emergency and if it does not happen at all, then who cares of the family has spent hundreds or perhaps even thousands for the emergency kit. It is all well worth it.

When The World Goes To War

A war is possibly the last thing anybody would want to live to experience. The world has already been a witness to several wars. As students, we have studied different wars and how the people during those times have lived. War times are definitely not good times.

Recently, different parts in the world have gone to war. We see different war footages on television and notice how the number of casualties exponentially rises up. Although almost everybody realize that there are no victors in wars, we can’t seem to totally eliminate the prospect of having to go to war.

Somebody famous once said, if we want peace, we have to prepare for war. But as mere civilians, we don’t have that much power to largely make a difference during war times. The most we could probably do is to prepare ourselves, if in case war breaks out suddenly.

Just like in preparing for natural calamities, we need to stock as much food and water as possible. Equally important are pieces of cloth that we could use to cover our mouth and nose, and sunglasses for our eyes as protection against dust particles brought about by bombings and the like.

On a larger scale, the government planning to involve in a war should have prepared emergency underground facilities. These facilities would contain grain silos and medical stockpiles. Civilians and injured soldiers are usually housed in one of these underground facilities.

Large cities in the United States have several underground centers that they could use during war emergency situations. Examples of these are the underground facilities near major railroads.

Aside from gun and ammo, the government should also equip themselves with machineries such as truck transportable bridges, mobile refineries, mobile decontamination services, and water purification systems. Other amenities such as petroleum supply are especially reserved for times of war.

Of course, the government will have to organize effective cooperation between its different civil services. The police, healthcare service, fire service and other public utility providers are expected to work together to ensure that civilians get as much protection as possible. Sometimes, able bodies might be requested to undergo special training programs to help protect the rest of the civilians.

War is such a large scale event that as individuals and small communities, we could only do so much. Most of the preparations involved are left to the national government and international security institutions. As citizens, we will be left with no choice but to follow where the government leads us in times of war. Collective effort is very important for survival.

Probably the most effective way of preparing for war is to disseminate information effectively and rapidly. Information on self-protection should be disseminated to the public. Concerned international authorities will also be able to benefit from information sharing. A large pool of information resources will be helpful for both parties, and would allow them to hopefully come into an agreement even before war could eventually break out.

Because of high technology, which greatly affects how the world goes to war, preparing for war is getting more and more complicated. We already have nuclear, chemical and biological weapons which can wipe out a continent within a few minutes. High walled palaces made of stone which used to protect early civilizations from war are not enough anymore with the severity of the damage which these weapons can cause.

Fire Emergency Preparation for Schools

A fire can occur at any place even if there are systems in place such as smoke alarms and water sprinklers. Should this happen in the school where the person is working in, it will be a good idea to review the emergency preparation plans.

The fire emergency preparation plan involves two things. These are namely information and delegation. The first thing the individual should do is read the manual and note where are the nearest exits. This is usually posted in each classroom with lighted signage’s showing the way.

This matter should also be discussed with fellow faculty and staff if certain improvements can be suggested. It is only after a well thought of plan is made that this should be explained to the students. 

The sad part is there will be some people who will not take the matter seriously. This should be firmly stressed because this could mean a matter of life or death to everyone when this happens. .

There may be fire drills conducted once a year but these are not done on a regular basis. This means that many will panic when the real thing happens so preparedness is something that should not be taken lightly. 

Delegation depends on who first noticed the fire until the evacuation has been done. If there is smoke coming out of one room, the individual should not open the door because oxygen will just make the fire stronger causing a back draft and a possible explosion.

The individual should immediately call 911 and pull the fire switch so that the teachers and the students are alerted of the danger. Some classes may order everyone to form a line in the back then proceed out slowly to safety by moving to the nearest fire exit.

There are fire extinguishers usually situated along the hallways or in the classrooms. These can be used to handle small fires but should not be used to handle bigger ones because there is not enough to kill the blaze. The person should not try to be a hero but rather help get other people out.

There will usually be a lot of smoke making it difficult to see what is in front. To avoid suffocating, it will be a good idea to put something to cover the face and then use the sense of touch to get the feel of what is in front.

Elevators should never been used in the event of a fire. The power could short out keeping the person trapped inside and even cause death due to smoke inhalation. All personnel should use the stairs since this is the fastest way to get out.

Should someone be caught on fire, the individual should help by putting a heavy blanket to put out the flames. If this should happen to the person, the right thing to do would be to stop, drop and roll.

The last part of any fire preparation plan is the assembly point where everyone in the class should meet so everyone can be accounted for. Everyone should stay put until someone with higher authority issues the order that it is safe to go back inside.

Everyone should be well aware of the fire emergency preparation plan since this is the only way to get out of a dangerous situation.

Prepare for a flood the best way you could

Believe it or not, floods are the natural disasters that is most common in America. 
According to statistics, more than a hundred people are killed by floods every year.  Also, more than four billion dollars are the cost damages caused by floods. 

All this is according to the Red Cross of the United States. 

The following are few tips and advice you could do in order to prepare yourself for any flood inevitability.

Expect the expected

It is important that you clearly understand and that you are aware of any damages that a flood could cause.  Some of these inevitabilities include boulders that are rolling, trees that are ripped right out from the ground, buildings that are destroyed as well as bridges, sliding debris.

Do not be afraid to ask

It is also vital that you ask around your local zoning and planning office as to whether the property you are on is below the level of the flood or above it.  Also, it is always good to know if the area you are in has had a history of being flooded. 

This knowledge helps a lot in the preparation of activities and tasks to do in case if a flood does hit.

Familiarize yourself

In your own community, it is best that you familiarize yourself in any or all of the warning signals or signs whenever a flood does occur. 

Learn, learn, learn

Know what are your community’s plan for evacuation.  This helps you prepare yourself as well as your family and friends as on what to do as well as the step by step drill. 

Have an insurance

It helps if you have insurance that is tailored particularly when a flood occurs.  Believe it or not, the insurance usually associated with home owners will really not be able to reimburse any damages you may have that are caused by floods.

Keep all vital documents

These documents include any policies for insurance, passports, birth certificates, etc. 
All these papers should – as much as possible – be kept in a box that is waterproof and one which could be accessed easily. 

Move, move, move

If in case your fireplace, furnace, electricity panel or water heater is in the basement or 1st floor of your house, you could consider moving it up the attic. 

In that way it will be a lot less probable for these to be damaged by raging floodwaters.

Plug it all

Plugging all trap sewers you have in your house using check valves actually prevent any floodwater from going into the drains of your house.  During emergencies, using large stoppers or corks is also a good idea to plug tubs and sinks.

Check and build

Checking with the local codes of buildings is a good idea as this will let you know whether it is okay to build walls for floods and to be used as barriers around your own house in order to prevent any floodwater from getting in your premises.

Waterproof it all

In order to protect walls of basements, seal them using waterproof compounds so that floodwaters would be unable to get in through any cracks.

Have a radio and some supplies

As much as possible, keep a radio that is operated by batteries if in case the power goes off. 

Having supplies such as canned goods is a must as well as first aid kits.  Do not forget a can opener of course.

All in all, preparation is always the best defense against floods.