Why Don't People Prepare?- 5 Myths People Hold

5 MYTHS PEOPLE HOLD ABOUT DISASTERS

For 10 months now I have been working within Washington State's Emergency Management Division. I was called in, in response to the massive flooding that occurred as a result of severe storms in November last year. The extent of the damage in ten different counties resulted in a presidentially declared disaster, which opened the door for federal assistance for those who were affected.

What I thought was to be a 60 day assignment stretched out over months, providing me with a first hand experience of what people go through when disaster befalls them, from the initial shock and disbelief, to the long recovery process. Many never do recover, economically or emotionally.

One of the wonderful people I have been working with is John Vollmer, the Deputy State Coordinating Officer of Human Services for the Emergency Management Division, formerly the Disaster Preparedness Public Education Coordinator. John has been involved with Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management for many years. I have been privy to many stories from his extensive experience, and his unique perspective.

John willingly obliged to share some of his wisdom for my new preparedness blog. Thank you John!!

Why People Don't Prepare-The 5 Obstacles to Disaster Preparedness
by John Vollmer:

1. Disaster won't happen here.

Myth debunked:  If you have yet to experience disaster, consider yourself "lucky", but not exempt. Nearly every year, in one form or anther, disasters happen somewhere in the state (Washington), nearly every day, somewhere in the world. Just because you weren't affected by the last earthquake, windstorm, fire or flood, doesn't mean you'll be as "lucky" next time.  

2. Disaster may happen here, but it won't happen to me.

Myth debunked: This is how I felt for years. I had a career that allowed me to live in many places around the world. Before each move, I was required to attend a presentation by experts on the hazards association with moving. They warned, "be prepared, have a household inventory, get insurance, have a will, etc." Thinking myself an expert of sorts, I ignored the warnings and moved without making the preparations, until...shortly after moving to a small community in Spain, my boss came and informed me that there had been an accident and 100% of your belongings were destroyed. Over $35,000 worth of household goods-we had lost everything! From this tragedy, which produced many of the same effects as a flood or earthquake, we learned that disaster could happen to anyone.

3. If we do have a disaster, it won't be that bad.

Myth debunked: On October 17, 1989 the San Francisco area experienced an earthquake that lasted just 15 seconds. In those 15 seconds, 3,200,000 people experienced a 7.1 earthquake that did 7 billion dollar in damage, displaced 12,053 people, killed 62 people, and injured 3,757 people....... 

4. If it's that bad, there is nothing I can do about it anyway.

Myth debunked:  A schoolteacher told an associate she was terrified of earthquakes. When asked if she had done anything to prepare, she commented, "There is nothing you can do to prepare for an earthquake, they just happen."  While I agree that there is nothing you can do to control when an earthquake occurs or how bad it will be, I do believe you can control, to some extent, the quality of your life following almost any type of disaster by preparing ahead of time.

5. We don't need to prepare, the government will help.

Myth debunked: Many overlook the fact that the local government we count on in emergencies may be affected and taken clear out of the picture in a disaster (they may be in the same earthquake, or flood, etc.). Have you ever considered how many emergency services people work in your community? How many people do they serve? Do the math and you will realize that even when government is not affected, there still are not enough emergency responders available to meet the overwhelming need for help created by most disasters.  You are far better off depending on your own resources in a disaster.

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Thank you again, John.

And what about you readers? Do any of these obstacles stand in your way? For me, I tend to default to #2 - "It won't happen to me." I realize this comes from my optimistic outlook on life, and my hopefulness (translate as naïve) that my mind is strong enough to create something different. I forget that I'm still in kindergarten, dealing with the garden variety of manifesting fabulous realities. I choose to be prepared, regardless!

For useful information on preparedness in our state visit the Washington State Emergency Preparedness site. This site covers a lot of ground.

          To find out about emergency preparedness in other states: Click Here