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Apr 2006 Issue
by Brenda Bennett
As I began writing this article, I was reminded of the tin man from the Wizard of Oz. Although he had all that he needed to continue his progression, he was unable to move because he had allowed himself to become rusty. If not for a friend who picked up the oil that lay next to him, he would have been unable to withstand the elements of nature, or “emergencies,” that surely lay ahead.
I wonder, like the tin man and me how many of us really already have the skills and resources to be prepared and yet have allowed ourselves to become “rusty.” It has been difficult to think of what topic might be of interest with regards to emergency preparedness.
What hasn’t been said already? What is it that people don’t know? I have come to the conclusion that while there isn’t likely one particular bit of advice that needs to be expounded upon, perhaps we are all (including me) in need of some gentle reminders of the basics as well as the counsels of inspired prophets both of latter-day and ancient times.
Emergency Preparedness is a multi-faceted topic, however by breaking it up into smaller units and starting with the basics, it is something on which everyone can become an expert. I have chosen to divide it into three distinct categories: short-term preparedness, long-term preparedness, and everyday preparedness.
Short-Term Preparedness
For years, members of the church have been counseled to organize a 72-Hour kit for every member of their family. This counsel was founded on the idea that it takes approximately 72-hours in a disaster situation before humanitarian efforts on a larger scale are organized to provide sufficient care. While there are many who haven’t yet needed to rely on these kits personally, we are all aware of the many emergency situations that have plagued the world in the past few years where these kits would have been invaluable. There are now many organizations that encourage people to compile a simple kit that is lightweight and easy to transport, containing enough food, water, and clothing for a 72-hour period.
Also important, however often overlooked are simple household procedures that individual family members need to be made aware of in the case of an emergency. For example, quite often, it is necessary to shut off main water lines, gas lines, or electrical breakers. A friend just told me she had read about the importance of family members knowing how to shut off the main breakers to a house. She went on to tell me that statistically, male heads of households are generally gone at the onset of an emergency.
Besides not knowing where some of those shut-off valves are in my own home, I was also not aware that before shutting off the main electrical breaker, it is wise to shut individual breaker switches to the off position first to avoid electrical sparks. While this is not something that can be done ahead of time, it is something that everyone needs to educate him or herself on prior to an emergency.
Long-Term Preparedness
Often associated with the topic of long-term preparedness is that of food storage. The scriptures have many accounts that support the practice of food storage in ancient times. Even back in the time of Joseph in Egypt, people were preparing themselves for a time of famine by storing food. Their diligent efforts paid off when, as prophesied, a famine came. Because the people were obedient and prepared, they had the resources they needed to survive their seven year “emergency” as well as offer assistance to others.
While it may not be possible for everyone to store all that they need, blessings will come to those who are faithfully doing whatever they can. Several years ago, I assisted many families in acquiring their year’s supply of grains, legumes, etc. I was overwhelmed with the sincerity and devotion of some young families who were just starting out or still in school struggled. Yet they still managed to budget enough to purchase a bucket of wheat and a small hand grinder. The joy and contentment in the faces of these young mothers as they picked up their bucket is indescribable, and I knew that in an emergency, their efforts would be rewarded.
It is important to be educated on proper ways of storing food. However just like manna in the wilderness, food will be blessed and provided to those who were faithful in heeding the counsel of prophets. Fear of what or how to store food should never take precedence over simply doing it.
Everyday Preparedness
There may be some of you thinking, “Well, So far, none of this applies to me. I have my 72-Hr kits and my food storage is complete.” To you I might ask, “Are there batteries in your flashlights? Did your kids even return them after the last campout?” “Is there oil in your lamps?” “When is the last time you opened your 72-Hr kit?” Recently I opened up one of my bright red 72-hour kits that sits ready at attention beside 7 others. It has been waiting for an emergency for 7 years! Upon my inspection of the kit, I realized a few things: the batteries were missing (no doubt having been used for a toy some Christmas past), the fingernail clippers were gone, what remained of the gum were wrappers, there was no loose change, and the outfit I had neatly packed for my now eight-year-old was a “onesie” and a diaper.
While efforts to get prepared are important, they must be ongoing. If not, like the tin man, we become rusty. Although my 72-hour kits were packed and ready to go, they would have been of little use to my family. Unfortunately, like the oil beside the tin man, everything I would need to replace in the kits is in my home, only feet away from the closet that holds the kits. However without placing those items into those kits now, in an emergency they would be of no value if we were unable to quickly access them.
There are many things we can do during a time of non-emergency. It is important to cultivate skills that can be used to assist others or as trade for other goods and services. It could be even be more important than worldly goods that might potentially be lost. By having the ability to offer skilled assistance, it is likely that your family will have its needs met.
In conclusion, the tin-man became rusty because he failed to regularly utilize something he had in his possession that would enable him to reach his desired destination. We too can easily fall into a trap of complacency. Complacency is the rust that has the potential of undoing all that we’ve done to be prepared.
One of the most valuable things we can do to prevent this from setting in is to heed the counsel of our prophets and leaders. By engaging in daily scripture study, prayer, church activities, and charitable service to those around us, we are filling our lamps with oil and unlike the foolish of the 10 virgins will find that when needed, our lamps will be full of oil. D&C 38:30 “…if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”
