Individual and Family Preparedness
Food | Water | PPE | Hand Hygeine | Energy | Security | Evacuating | Scenarios
Preparing for a pandemic poses many challenges to individuals and families. Although some might expect that the federal government will come to the rescue, this is unlikely. According to Secretary of Health and Human Services Leavitt:
"Any community that doesn’t prepare because they think somehow the federal government will be able to rescue them will be tragically disappointed."
State and City governments have been passing the same message on: Your government will not be able to handle all the challenges of a pandemic without your active participation in preparedness.
What does this mean? Depending on the lethality of a pandemic strain of flu, you may be asked to stay home for the duration of a local outbreak. This is called Shelter-in-Place (SIP). In addition, movement restrictions may limit supplies. You will thus need food, water and other essential supplies to remain within your home for an extended period of time. Since local outbreaks of flu typically last 6 - 12 weeks, this should be regarded the minimum amount of time that you prepare for if you wish to avoid exposure to a potentially lethal virus. If you do need to leave your home, you will improve your chances of avoiding infection if you use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Of course, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to decrease your odds of infection in good hand hygiene. Other issues you may wish to consider include: energy (if the Grid goes down) and security (civil disturbances are expected). Imagining what life would be like during a pandemic can be difficult given that none of us has lived through a severe or very severe pandemic. Fictional Scenarios are useful ways to think through the issues involved
Here are some general resources you may find useful:
Official Government Sites
PandemicFlu.Gov Individuals & Families Planning
(from the US Federal Government)
Get Pandemic Ready (Idaho)
Part 1 - Pandemic Flu Background (pdf)
Part 2 - Pandemic Flu Impact (pdf)
Part 3 - Pandemic Preparedness Mindset (pdf)
Part 4 - Why three months of preps? (pdf)
Part 5 - Preparedness Overview (pdf)
A series of flyers prepared by Melvin Johnson, Director, Lewiston-Nez Perce County Emergency Management. Some of the material used in these flyers was derived from content on PFI including What is a flu pandemic and why should I prepare for it? and Solutions to Politically Correct Disaster Management (Special Guest Blog by Atropine). Some of the issues contain information from ReadyMom and Average Concerned Mom.
Information from the online Pandemic Flu Preparedness Community (Flublogia):
Get Pandemic Ready
Advice on many aspects of family preparednessPREPS
General information on preparedness from PFI_ForumSystematic Preparations
Old Flu Wiki thread started by EcclesJust beginning to prep? Please start here
Strategies for starting preparations from Flu TrackersBasic Preparation-Keeping it Simple-Water Rice and Beans
Old Flu Wiki thread started by BlueSkyBecoming Self-Sufficient for Six Months
By Dr. Dave, PFI ContributorWhat To Buy And Stock For A Pandemic
Advice from Flu Clinic membersBest Prep Tools and Gadgets
From PFISustainable Living and Community Resiliency
Advice on how sustainable living can prepare you and your community for a pandemic.