There has been an unusually high level of interest expressed following our Guest article on earthquake preparation by Jeremy Stillwell, and the follow-up Guest article on Preparedness last week by Don MacSparran. In addition, as illustrated by the picture above, the Governor of the State of Washington has declared the month of October Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month.
As with most topics, there are extremes when it comes to the subject of disaster preparedness. As is also true, neither extreme is rooted in wisdom, nor are these extremes very practical.
One Extreme is pursued by those who are often referred to (usually in a derogatory tone) as "preppers." Such people can hold to a point of view that they must prepare for complete isolation and long-term stand-alone survival because they are convinced it will be necessary at some future point - and so they prepare accordingly. At this extreme end of the spectrum, some people even go so far as to construct underground bunkers to shelter themselves from...well...whatever. Sadly, such people don't even need a disaster - because they usually find themselves isolated without one (!).
Unfortunately, as a result of such behavior by a small minority of people, an opposite reaction can set in...
This Other Extreme consists of those people who do absolutely nothing to prepare for any natural or man-instigated disaster. Such people may carry an unwarranted and equally unwise form of fear: the fear of being criticized for preparing (i.e. "I don't want to look like one of those "preppers"). Also at this end of the spectrum are found those who are caught up in the simple reality of the busyness of life - and with it the procrastination that thinks "I will do it later." Either mindset ends up in the same place: the extreme position of absolutely zero preparation of any kind.
A Vote for Wisdom would therefore seem to call us to action - and would do so in a spirit of moderation. There is a middle-ground: It is the approach that both Jeremy and Don demonstrated in each of their articles these last two weeks... and it is the approach that every Federal, State, and Local governing authority has articulated when urging each citizen to take appropriate measures to be prepared for self-sufficient living for up to 3 to 7 days.
Wisdom in Deed: As those in leadership, it therefore seems completely appropriate for each of us to pursue a course of action - action that begins with our own personal response to comply with the request of our governing authorities - and to provide leadership by encouraging those we serve to do the same thing.
"...I, Governor Jay Inslee, do hereby proclaim October 2013 as Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month..."
October is almost over. Are you - and those you lead - prepared?