By Gene Maloney

        First, as we discussed last time, get your representatives to provide funding for disaster training, equipment and supplies.

            Second, work with your disaster management agency to put together a de-centralized disaster plan.  Almost all of the plans that we are familiar with are centralized.  That means that the equipment and supplies are (if they have any) stored in one location.  Why is that a problem?  If you have been watching the disaster in Joplin Mo., it is a perfect example.  If the supplies were stored where the tornado went through, they would be lost.  It is also virtually impossible to drive through these areas.  Plus it take’s a lot of time to get supplies stored in one location, loaded and moved to where they are needed.  That is why it is important to have them prepositioned around the community.

            The question now is what is needed.  Normally due to the size of the incident, basic life support (BLS) in performed.  That is taking care of open wounds, fractures and burns.  Advance life support (ALS) is provided when trained first responders are on the scene, however in many cases the general public are the first to respond.  In this case what is need is a lot of dressings, bandaging supplies, splints, burn dressings and back boards.  For the management of the site, a triage management kit with color coded tarps, vest and triage tags.

            Now the question is where to store the equipment and supplies.  Because of the nature of disasters, they should be stored away from buildings, trees and power lines. You also need to be able to transport them from where they are stored to where they are need at a moment’s notice.  To accomplish this, a trailer works best.  If you use a motorized vehicle, the battery may be down, a tire maybe flat or it is out of gas.  There is also the cost of insurance and registration.  In the past many felt that a 30’ or larger trailer with shelves inside was the way to go.  The problem is that those trailers require a big truck to move them and are difficult to maneuver in tight spaces.  Smaller, properly designed trailers with either side opening doors or rolling racks are the way to go.  Because of the smaller trailers and or rolling racks the it is much easier to move the supplies right to the incident site.

For any questions, you can contact us at

Disaster Preparedness Consultants

480-285-7555

Next time we will discuss C.E.R.T. and N.E.R.T.