Disaster Preparedness: The must have mindset for everyone

In light of the recent tragedies this week in Boston and Waco, one should start to realize perhaps those people on those prepper TV shows aren't crazy after all.  Granted we are talking about two totally different emergency scenarios, but it seems in the past few years there is a strong call for public awareness on the topic of "Disaster Preparedness".

Disasters come in all shapes and sizes and no one or no geographical area is really immune to the destruction they can cause.  From weather, to terrorism, to accidents, it is clear that when an emergency strikes, there are things you can already have in place.  I won't bore anyone with pack lists or survival tips.  After all, that information is available by doing a simple google search.  What I want you to focus on is this.  Disaster preparedness has to include the attempt to create a "As close to normal life" scenario as you can make for you and your family.  I have the benefit of the doubt here.  I work in this field and constantly live in this mind set.  The problem, is that most of you don't and in addition to the physical destruction of life and property, there is a huge mental trauma that is suffered by those affected by disasters in general.  People are used to waking up to an alarm clock, popping in their K-Cup, watching the news, taking a hot shower and have a decent breakfast and then going to work.  When a disaster strikes, you are totally lifted out of your "routine", which to many, can cause mental trauma.

Consider the folks in Waco, just last evening - given just minutes to evacuate their community and "get out of Dodge".  If you received that call, would those few minutes be in panic trying to scramble for supplies and clothing or would it be a calm grabbing or pre-made backpacks with those items that you and your family need? The choice is yours.  When preparing your packs or bags or whatever works for you, consider those items that will help with the mental trauma of having to relocate to a hotel 50 miles away for upwards of 48-72 hours.  If your 12 yr old daughter is an avid fan of crayons and coloring books, then you better be sure you have an extra set of crayons and a coloring book to keep her mind at ease.  You get the point right?  Walk around your house and find all of those items that clutter the house and put them in packs.  Don't forget to add other items for each family member that are relevant to them.  Each member of your family should have a disaster bag for just such an occasion.  Also consider having a dedicated bag of non-perishable food items and medical supplies.  After all, Fido likes treats and toys too.

There are so many "Bug Out" type scenarios I could cover.  I hope that some of this info helps everyone realize the need to prepare.  That "5 minute" bug out scenario does not have to be panic and chaos.  Remember, what you do today, makes tomorrow easier.  Stay safe & prepared, and God Bless all those affected by these recent disasters.

United Airlines Flight 93

I decided to post my journal from the time I spent as a First Responder for Flight 93.  This was published in the One Year 9/11 Anniversary Edition of Emergency Medical Services Magazine.

15 September 2001

Shanksville, Somerset County, Pa

United Flight 93 Crash Site

To my family and friends;

Because I know all of you are curious and many of you will ask, I am preparing this document to send to all of you.  From my brief time here I already know that this is something that will live with me forever. I was told that a team of NAVY SEALS came in yesterday heavily armed and escorted a truck full of debris out of here.  This is a very tense place.  I can already feel the tremendous pain associated with this duty.  This is why I am sending this to you all, I already know this is something I do not ever want to talk about and I know for sure I must not ever re-visit these feelings.

Upon my arrival at the site, we were greeted by a barrier of PA state police cars on a rural road in this town.  To each side were nothing but farmland and a few associated homes, each displaying the American Flag.  At the checkpoint we showed our Id’s and were allowed through.  The next two miles I could not believe my feelings and my eyes.  Down this country road police cars and troopers were everywhere.  Open fires were burning with smoke filling the air.  Flags were hanging from branches, fences, anything that would hold them.  Troopers were huddled around the fires getting warm, horse back troopers were everywhere patrolling the area, hundreds of American flags lined the road on both sides, check points were everywhere.  I could hear someone talking on a loud speaker and could hear his voice echoing in the hills.  This was a very scary feeling, I felt like I was in another country.  I could not believe this was Pennsylvania, I could not believe this madness was in my state, my homeland.  This was something out of a movie, it reminded me of the movie Red Dawn hearing that voice on the PA system and seeing the open fires.  We passed the media area and you could imagine the hundreds of tents, cameras, reporters, etc all in place.  Memorials and small shrines are all over the area as well as many signs and flags. Passenger family members are here placing pictures and personal effects in the area. Finally at the medical trailer (which resembled a small RV) I was able to finally stow my gear and get ready for the shift.  The trailer is located on top of the hill overlooking the crash site.  I still don’t have the courage to go and look over the hill.  Outside in the dusty gravel parking lot are porta potties, Red Cross trucks, state police, FBI vehicles, NTSB personnel, etc.  This place is crawling with everything and everyone you could imagine from the biggest action movie.  Just behind the medical trailer is a small landing zone for helicopters.  I think I have seen 3 in the one-hour I have been here.  This is where I will remain for my shift with periodical drives through the site on small John Deere Quads checking to see if everyone is OK.  Right now I am waiting to go get photographed for my ID from the FBI for access to this area.  This site will remain open  24/7 for the next 5-7 weeks.  

In the medical trailer we have all the equipment of a small field ER.  We even have a telephone, small bathroom and Verizon is right now installing a dedicated phone line for Internet access (this makes me very happy).  I am working today with a retired police officer and a nurse from a local hospital.  Together we will be providing any medical care as well as CISM (critical incident stress management) for the workers and family members that are overcome with their loss and emotion.

Over at the photo ID center there are 4 or 5 Red Cross trucks that have put outside several tables of food.  It actually looks like a mobile Sheetz store.  Boxes of every kind of fruit, snacks, and candy.  Crate after crate of soda, water and juice.  They are cooking real food as well for everyone.  

I finally went to the overlook and saw the crash site.  It looks just like you see it on TV.  I can see lots of heavy equipment, workers in decontamination suits, and lots of police guarding the site.  Near the overlook they are leveling a section of land and paving it so family will have a suitable place to park and leave articles in remembrance.  There are already flowers, cards and teddy bears near where the workers are starting to pave.  It really hit home when I saw that one family of a flight attendant left a piece of poster board with a collage of pictures of their daughter.  She is a very beautiful woman in her late 20’s.  Now there is a face to place with all this evil and once again I am angry and sad at the same time. She looks so peaceful in these photos with her family and friends.  I think one picture is of her daughter and her husband, how sad.  I cannot believe she was apart of this mess.  

On the front porch of the trailer, the sights and sounds continue all day long.  The sound of heavy trucks hauling equipment, the occasional smell of jet fuel, the helicopters flying by, all the federal agents.  This again almost feels like a dream, but it is not.  It is too real.  Workers are already coming into the medical trailer for minor things like cuts and bumps.  I think deep inside they come here because it is not the crash site, it is there release to be able to be away even for the slightest of moments.  We provide them a place to come and talk, to vent and sometimes to cry.  I am happy to be apart of that, but wish it could be under different circumstances.

Lunch was awesome, cheeseburgers and salad.  I will say this and this is something that is drastically overlooked.  In my career as a paramedic people always come to me and ask, “How do you do it” and “You’re a hero”, I hope after this tragedy is over no one ever asks me that or says that to me again.  Aside from all the volunteers, fireman, workers, etc, I personally don’t know how The American Red Cross does it.  Think about it, they are there for EVERY disaster, every fire, every upending of families life’s, etc.  I could not handle seeing the shrine for the stewardess; they handle entire families, entire communities, all the time.  It is amazing the strength they have.  They definitely deserve the handshake and the pat on the back.  They are all hero’s.

The state police just escorted some family through the site and then flew them over the crash site by chopper.  I can only imagine what they must see from up there and how it makes them feel.  I do not want to know.  Our boss at the medical trailer just told us the local fire dept just went into the crash site because they found a big piece of the body of the plane and they needed the Jaws of Life to open it.  I am sure we all know the terror they will find inside when they cut it open.

One of the most touching and moving events I witnessed was when the FBI raised the flag that was flying over the White House on September 11^th over this crash site.  A memorial service is planned for Sunday September 16^th overlooking the crash site.  I am sure it will be a heart-wrenching event.  

In closing, I know this for sure.  I will definitely come back a different man with different views, all for the good I hope.  Makes you want to be a bit nicer to everyone you take for granite each day.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Paul Falavolito

Paramedic, White Oak EMS

Shanksville, Pa Crash Site 

United Airlines Flight 93