As most of you know, Nashville and the surrounding areas were hit over the weekend with anywhere from eight to sixteen inches of rain. We had around fifteen inches in our backyard. Two of the main rivers that surround Nashville, the Cumberland and the Harpeth, went well beyond flood stages. Highways are closed, hundreds of roads and houses remain feet under water, and thousands of people have been impacted by this unexpected weather event.
There are many ways one can respond to crisis, and depending on the circumstance, sometimes what works best in one situation doesn’t work the best in another. I’ll share a bit from what I’ve learned from Red Cross disaster and aid training, and I’d love for you to share anything you’ve learned about helping out in the comment section.
LOCAL DISASTERS:
If a local disaster occurs (weather, fire, etc.) typically the first day is the day when city officials and emergency management organizations are assessing the issues. LET THEM. Trained professionals like the National Guard, local police, fire, and EMS and military are performing any rescues that need to happen.
When this emergency response is happening effectively (proper communication is happening between officials and the media and public), it’s best to do whatever the officials tell you to do. You may want to jump in your car and dig through the rubble of a neighborhood that was hit by a tornado, but without the trained emergency responders there giving direction, you may cause more harm than good. Do you know if the gas lines have been turned off or if the buildings are stable enough to enter?
Of course there will always be moments when we need to run into a situation even if a procedure hasn’t been set up, but these should be the exceptions. Bottom line? When good emergency management and communication is occurring, it’s best to follow their instructions.
In the case of a local emergency, how can you help?
(*Before attempting anything, always look at the situation and assess if it’s safe for you to enter!)
Neighborhood:
- Visit neighbors, especially elderly or sick, to see if they are safe or need anything.
- Offer your home for the displaced in your community
- Host a gathering with food for people nearby where it’s not a danger for people to venture out
- Bring water or snacks to emergency responders and thank them
- Watch for official statements, and communicate them to neighbors who may not have access to TV or the internet
Community:
- Follow instructions from emergency management on travel safety and how to volunteer. In the case of the Nashville flooding, if people volunteer outside of the official “Hands on Nashville” initiative, it will actually hurt Nashville, as assistance from FEMA is given through Hands on Nashville.
- As long as emergency operations are running smoothly, don’t go rogue. Again, so many times in press conferences I kept hearing about how legitimate water rescuers had to rescue Good Samaritans who don’t know how to do water rescues, and the people who really needed help had to wait longer.
- Follow official instructions. (Did I say that already?) There are reasons for this.
- Call the local Red Cross or whatever organization is set up as the official responder. They will be able to guide you to volunteer in the most effective way because they are the ones who know not only the needs, but the priorities of the needs.
- Find out what supplies you personally can donate in the long run to help (clothes, food, etc.).
- Organize events in your community or church to collect supplies or donations.
I highly encourage anyone who feels the pull to help when emergencies arise to sign up at your local Red Cross for disaster relief training, as well as first aid and CPR. These classes take time and cost a little money, but they will have you ready to assist when disaster strikes. Find a group of people at your office or your church to take classes with you. I promise you the skills you will learn will be invaluable.
Comments
18 responses to “How To Respond to Emergencies (Without Getting in the Way!)”
Wonderfully practical advice, as usual. Thanks for sharing. My prayers are with Nashville right now.
Thank you so much for this, Anne. Such wise words to heed to. Keeping all those affected in prayer.
Thanks for this, Anne. I’ve been incredibly impressed with how Tennessee – both her people and the authorities – handled this past weekend. Even more encouraging: how the church rallied together. It’s been heartbreaking to watch, and I’m sure many people felt the need to do something, but your words are wise. As much as we want to help, too often those efforts are wasted by making the situation worse. I think knowledge of the area and collaborating with the authorities are essential. They are trained for moments like these – we might as well follow their lead. :)
There are two other things I have learned through all the emergency training I have received. It won’t help Tennessee right now, but more problems will occur somewhere.
1) Take time to get yourself prepared because any of us can face a disaster. This includes having food, water, first aid supplies, battery operated radio, etc. You should plan on being prepared to take care of yourself for 72 hours. In the case of widespread issues the emergency workers are also likely impacted, and even if they are not, the needs far outweigh the help that is initially available. It would be best to prepare emergency kits. I keep one in my car and one at home so I also have things like some clothes, something to start a fire, paper, pen, duct tape, a book, cards, pet food, sturdy shoes, rain gear, and a flashlight with me.
2) Get some basic emergency training. Last fall I completed the CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) which is geared toward helping citizens be prepared to assist their neighborhoods in the case of major issues. This program is usually offered by your local city in conjuction with emergency preparedness planners, fire departments, and police. One of the biggest thing we learned was how to keep ourselves safe and healthy so we were able to provide the most support and aid for others. I think our class was a total of about 20 hours and covered everything from snowstorms, to floods, fires, earthquakes, terrorism, etc.
.-= Sherie´s last blog ..Coming Out Loud and Large =-.
This was good, Anne. Thanks for sharing these. Btw, I’m thinking of getting some locals together to join some of the ongoing relief efforts. Are you interested/available?
.-= Jeff Goins´s last blog ..Churches as Havens from Hypocrisy =-.
We are working on some donations and helping some friends, but we leave for Ride:Well on May 24 so we will be gone until August! :)
Thanks for you post, Anne. I also appreciate Sherie’s follow-up. I have spent over 20 years working in the emergency management profession and have found that those folks who are prepared for an emergency tend to manage better during and recover faster following such disasters.
I would also like to add that an important part of emergency preparedness is how one receives warnings and notifications. I recommend that everyone have a NOAA All Hazards Alert Radio – commonly referred to as a smoke detector for the weather. These devices can save lives!
For more information, check out: http://www.weather.gov/nwr
Thanks again for you post! ~ Steve
This is so sad… I will be praying!
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My husband and I lived in Nashville in the 1990’s and still have a number of friends there. We are praying for y’all.
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..Pray First, React Later =-.
Solid, practical advice! Times of crisis are a great opportunity to reach out, but we’ve got to use our heads when doing it.
.-= Linda Stoll´s last blog ..Alexa’s Contest! =-.
Anne, Brilliant information! Thank you! Oh yes, prayers are needed because the grief over loss occurs also. You are sooo caring.
.-= Carol´s last blog ..Change! (Gratitudes Galore!!!) =-.
Thanks for the info, Anne! Praying for you guys out there. I’m connected with quite a few people in the area that are affected.
.-= Josh´s last blog ..My 1st Giveaway! Win RSB’s “Miracle” =-.
Anne,
Thanks for such good advice! Belmont is trying to determine how best to be of assistance to the greater Nashville area and we needed to be reminded of many of the things you’ve shared.
Hope you and Chris are well.
.-= Guy´s last blog ..The Greatest Resource [Wasted?] =-.
My aunt and I are always sharing and teaching about how to handle emergencies. Having lived through a tornado, several hurricanes, more earthquakes than I can count, and other natural disasters – it’s been part of me to always be prepared.
72 hour kits are essential for every person, every family, every office building. If you don’t kknow what that is – I can help or go to totallyready.com or the Red Cross has lists as well.
I have a kit in my car and kits at home. Before the blizzards here in the East – I made sure that my client’s had them as well before the storms hit and several of them needed them.
Having been a police officer and growing up in a family of them – please do what the local authorities say when it comes to road conditions. While we protect and serve and do so willingly we want to have every chance of coming home to our spouses and children at the end of the day. The fewer people we have to rescue or work around in blizzards, floods, hurricanes, and disaster scenes the better off we usually are.
Great advice. I LOVE how Nashville is stepping up and getting involved. This is just surreal. Absolutely surreal. I drive around and can’t believe this is my city.
.-= Jacklyn´s last blog ..So Proud of My City =-.
Hey Anne,
i really liked what you said here. but when i read it yesterday there was a portion that did not set well with me.
I watched CNN news this morning and the President of TSU (I believe) was being interviewed. he rescued a fellow staff member on site and was asked about emergency efforts. he said that he couldn’t wait for the emergency teams… sometimes you just gotta go do it.
i have been through quite a few hurricanes and earthquakes and while waiting is generally wise, it is also sometimes used as an excuse to not step out and do something “right now”.
there are church efforts in nashville that are very productive, not working officially with the Red Cross, but not getting in their way either. i just don’t think we always need to follow directions and join an organization in order to help our neighbor.
i know your heart wasn’t saying that, but i was thinking perhaps someone may read this is and take it like that.
love the work you are doing all over the world, by the way.
sincerely,
Julia Kate
Thanks girl. That’s why I wrote this:
“Of course there will always be moments when we need to run into a situation even if a procedure hasn’t been set up”
but maybe I should have said more. :)
This was mainly directed toward the “emergency” side of things – not the recovery. I agree anyone can help on the recovery at anytime. It just takes some helping hands! :)
did your house flood, anne?
last week i was glued to my twitter feed because of all the friends i have in nashville. some of the pictures and stories just blow me away. i can’t believe how much loss some people are facing. but it’s been absolutely incredible to watch the Church bethe Church in response to it all.
.-= alece´s last blog ..a different take on boundaries =-.