Chertoff: Preparedness Depends on People

[Terri]

Chertoff: Preparedness Depends on People

AP
Townhall

Stockpiling supplies and developing family response plans in case disaster strikes not only might save lives _ it's also a civic duty, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press.

Two months of hurricanes ravaging the Gulf Coast should prove that people need to make preparations so emergency officials can focus on those who are poor, elderly or otherwise can't help themselves, Chertoff said.

More (http://www.townhall.com/news/ap/online/gov/cabinet-state-pentagon/D8DJ9OPG4.html)

[Charie]

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr class="standard"><td>Quote </td></tr><tr class="standard"><td class="QUOTE">But Dr. Vincent Ferrandino, executive director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, cautioned against using the schools as messenger except &quot;when it's absolutely necessary, and we consider it an issue of national importance.&quot;

[/QUOTE]

He doesn't think it's important for children who live in a hurricane zone to learn what to do in case of a hurricane and, by extension, their families? He's principal of what? He's a principal with no principles.

I swear, every person who has something to do with teaching has an automatic bias against anything that's said during the Bush administration. They're like 2 year olds who have to say, &quot;No&quot; before they even consider the problem.

It's disgusting! They have no qualms about filling the kids' heads full of junk science about ecological matters, though, do they?

[PATRIOTMISSIVE]

Indeed, Charie. As perilous as our times are now every effort should be made for &quot;preparedness&quot;. Not necessarily due to weather related events. Man-made perils of a generally unexpected nature are likely going to be - and should be now - of much greater concern. Harken back to the 50's and 60's when &quot;atomic attack drills&quot; in the schools were common and everyone knew where their nearest fallout shelter was. Perhaps we should be excercising similar drills today. The danger from within and without may be far greater than the general populace is aware. We, as a nation, are woefully unprepared for a national emergency - as hurricane Katrina so painfully made clear.

[jackbenimble]

I'm not a big fan of Chertoff's but this is a good idea and pretty much just common sense.

When I was in elementary school, I think every year the fire department showed up and gave a fire safety lecture and the kids got sent home with a &quot;Fire Plan Checklist&quot; as an assignment that we were suppossed to discuss with our parents and make sure we knew where the family was going to assemble and what not. It would be simple to expand this idea to hurrican preparedness.

I am also not a big fan of Jeb Bush but he is absolutely correct that people should plan on providing themselves with a supply of drinking water for the first 72 hours after a hurricane. It is also not asking too much to expect those morons to fill up their gas tank before the storm hits.

I watched the Florida officials begging the people down their to prepare and I watched a lot of the people pretty much blow them off. The day after the storm I had zero sympathy for the folks singing sob stories about having to stand in line waiting for 3 bottle of drinking water. It would suit me fine if Darwin took those idiots out of the gene pool.

Regards,
Jack

[candles]

Like I said many times they get what they deserve. If they did nit prepared it is not our fault, we should not pay.
Florida had seen what Rita and Katrina did yet they do not perpare http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif, in my book that puts them on the same page as those not leaving New Oleans. http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/withstupid.gif

[golfstats]

It never ceases to amaze me that with all the 'hurricane experience' we Floridians have had over the past few years that some still fail to recognize that storms heading in our direction can and do hit with some surprises (mostly more powerful than expected, and can hit anywhere within the 'forecast cone'). Some of us here on the East Coast were taken by surprise when Wilma didn't lose strength as she barreled across the state. Who 'would'a thunk' that she'd pack a bigger wallop than either Frances or Jeanne! But from where I sit, she sure did.

I was taking no chances and did all the prescribed things. It makes sense to be prepared for anything - especially here in the 'Sunshine State'. And by the way, we do have a fine Governor!

[Luckyme]

I admit to having mixed emotions about Chertoff, but in this case, he is absolutely right. People should prepare for the disasters ahead of time and not depend on government agencies to bail them out. Fema is there to help get aid and services to those that can not care for themselves, including those who prepared, but whose homes were lost or badly damaged. The rest should wait for a few days to see if power and services come back on before they seek a free handout.

I'm old enough to remember when we Americans were self sufficient except in dire circumstances. My how we have changed.

[Nancy521]

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr class="standard"><td>Quote </td></tr><tr class="standard"><td class="QUOTE">But Dr. Vincent Ferrandino, executive director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, cautioned against using the schools as messenger except &quot;when it's absolutely necessary, and we consider it an issue of national importance.&quot;
[/QUOTE]

snort. That's right! It's &quot;nationally important&quot; for them to know how to use condoms instead.

When I lived in California and my children were in school, it was required every year that we send three days of food and a change of clothes to be kept in case of earthquake. It was just a given, and I can't for the life of me remember any dissent about this. It was preparedness, nothing more. And I can't count the times I used to get letters home with my kids promoting school bonds, etc., but that would probably fall into the category for Mr. Ferrandino of national importance.

Nancy http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag17.gif

[Thundercat505]

he is absolutely right.

when rita was coming in I had it pretty well figured as to what would happen and it did.

I had 12 gallons of gas for the generator, 12 5 gallon buckets of water to wash my dirty butt and flush the toilet, I bought 3 cases of jug water and a case of bottled (small) stuff so that we had plenty on hand.

I picked up a few packages of cold cuts and bread since I didn't have a coleman stove at the time, and I also picked up extra propane cannisters for the lantern as well as a few extra candles.

when I was a kid we had fire drills, fire plans, duck and cover for the &quot;atomic attacks&quot; that were expected.

I can't say that the latter served me well, but the rest of it did.

a person has to take their own initiative in self preservation and expect no help from anyone, just depend on yourself and what you know to make sure you survive if you can't get out.

I have no pity either for idiots that decide to ride out a storm of any magnitude that can threaten your life when you have plenty of time to get out and away from it.