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Personal Disaster Preparation

Leslie and Ryan invite Eileen into the studio to talk about how to prepare for a disaster that is not a pandemic. We cover basic steps and people that you will deal with as well as the best way to help those in need.

Audio Only Version

EP-24 Podcasting PerseveranceLife Admin
00:00 / 49:49

When Ryan and I were doing site design, we both discussed “show notes” at the bottom of each episode page. It took me months to realize we meant different things. I meant a listing of links for more info or related reading. He meant our outlines for each episode. So from this episode on, we will have our show notes outline before any related links. 

 

Show Notes

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Set the table: Disaster prep takes many forms

We are all aware of importance now, but not all disaster prep is the same. Shelter, storage, time, money, paperwork—different disasters have different prep needs. 

 

Segment 1: Area disaster assessment

  • What natural disasters are common to your region? Are they seasonal? How much warning do you get? What typically happens? Compare storms (water and snow), quakes, fires, mudslides.

  • Think through the typical occurrence and assess what you need: to cook, have clean water, clean clothes and self, power communications and possibly cooling or heating devices, have medical or Rx access, care for pets, kid entertainment. 

  • Find local disaster prep lists. Often a tax free day prior to the disaster season. 

  • Note that most of this is different than a pandemic. Have power. Can gather and cooperate with neighbors. Shorter timelines. 

 

Segment 2: Lightening Strikes: Personal disasters

  • What is different about planning for things like fires, busted pipes?

  • Before

    • Insurance

    • Arranging files and essential paperwork

    • Personal evac plans

  • During

    • 911, cars, pets, power, etc.

  • After

    • Emergency responders vs vultures

    • Documenting the aftermath

    • Legal issues

    • Appoint a spokesperson

    • Insurance claims

 

Segment 3: Helping out or accepting help

  • We want to help but need to think though what our neighbors in need actually need. 

    • For instance, gift cards rather than items. 

    • Food can be overwhelming after a certain point

    • Make sure your motives are centered on helping the neighbor rather than having the neighbor know you were helping them. 

  • Often hard to accept help, but we should.  

  • We need to try to be clear about what those needs are but sometimes impossible. Disasters are stressful. Shock often makes it hard to communicate, and that’s if communication lines are available. 

 

Closing: Final thoughts

66/ Mindset: Gratitude

Its the term for the adults still caring for children at home when their own parents care needs rise.  It can be complicated, messy and a little uncomfortable. We are here to help navigate.

65/ It Takes a Village 

Life shouldn't be lonely.  We are meant to be together and thrive!  Today we talk about what happened to the village and how we can rebuild it.

64/ How to Delegate

Effective delegation is a neglected skill. Circular trap. When it doesn’t quickly work, we often think it is easier to do things ourselves, which makes effective delegation more elusive..

63/ Back To School

Having now seen school from almost every angle and gotten perspective from the pandemic, I have many thoughts on what I would do differently if I had the chance. 

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