Our recent March snowstorm managed to accrue a verifiable number of automobile accidents as well as various associated home-based emergencies. Most of these cases could have been prevented had the individuals known emergency preparedness principles. During the aftermath several of our visitors from the University of Delaware requested information on how they could better prepare if and when these sudden storms occur in the future.

The problem here is not so much “if” but “when”.

This March snowstorm left many homes in the Delmarva Peninsula without electricity for several days. The potential for serious situations was greatly increased by the lack knowledge. I have witnessed these types of events over and over again and it still amazes me how, when a disaster happens, we simply are in no way equipped to deal with it. We persistently hear that “the next time I will be ready,” but folks it just doesn’t happen that way. Some local residents were caught in a state of total confusion. They forgot about the little items which contribute greatly to one’s survival such as filling up water containers, ensuring their gas tanks in their automobiles were full in case the need arises to evacuate, and the simple act of maintaining flashlights for family members. I can not stress enough that we have to be prepared when these damaging events transpire. Granted, we do not get many situations as severe as this storm was; however, they do happen and we should address the issue accordingly.

Our state and local governments are expected to aid and assist those citizens during dire emergencies, but we have to remember that the resources associated with emergency personal are laid very thin during these times. In a nutshell, emergency preparedness begins at home, or in the case of the university, with the students at the dorm.

There are many ways that the CERT volunteer can assist these students. In any type of urgent situation CERT member should encourage people to accumulate one gallon of water per day per person, help your neighbors to obtain a supply of food to last them for at least three days, and suggest they have sufficient means of keeping warm in the event heat is lost for any length of time. Additional nice-to-have items that you may suggest range from a battery operated or crank generated radio to a supply of extra batteries, several flashlights and an emergency fist aid kit.

As a CERT member we know the value of having an emergency food supply, however the newly arrived student in the next room may not. It is your responsibility to inform them that their food supplies do not necessarily need to be elaborate but should include non-perishables such as canned meats, granola bars, cereals, peanut butter and crackers as well as a small supply of juice. Most college students keep a meager supply of these items in their dorm anyway for munching on while studying, so it is only a matter of increasing the supply to compensate for emergencies.

Don’t let your dorm partners be mislead into thinking they are safe because they carry a cell phone around with them. During many winter storms cell phones have been found to be lacking the needed signals due to relay tower outages. Make sure that you make and coordinate an emergency plan of action with your school friends. The key word here is communications. Encourage them to let each other know well in advance as to what their plans are during an emergency. Their plan must include a list of people that they should contact as well as several means by which they can place a phone call whenever the cell phone service is temporarily disrupted. As an example, you should encourage each student to purchase prepaid phone cards. I have done this for every member of my family and I also include several in my Bug Out Vehicle for emergencies. It is up to the individual students to determine well in advance who should be contacted when a situation develops. This contact should be someone who resides some distance from them due to the fact that often it is easier to call long distance than to contact a local number.

As far as specifics related to on-campus preparedness, I would highly recommend that you check with the dean of the school or possibly with student affairs and ensure that emergency flip charts are readily located near all campus telephones. As a member of the CERT team you may wish to inquire as to whether the building coordinators are properly trained in emergency procedures, and if not it should become your primary responsibility to ensure that they are at least provided the opportunity to obtain these emergency skills. We have to stress to these young people that they should not simply rely upon others for their safety. They should assume their own responsibilities and become an active member of their local campus CERT organization. In addition, those students who are CERT members should ensure that their training is current and up to date. If a considerable amount of time has lapsed then it would certainly behoove each member to take a refresher course. In fact, you should encourage fellow student CERT members to establish a Campus CERT (C-CERT).

Speak frankly to each of the members and suggest that they spend some of their spare time browsing a few of the survival minded websites found on the net. Such sites as FEMA Emergency Management site, the Red Cross web location and the Homeland Security’s site can offer a wealth of information to enhance their formal training. Don’t underestimate the value of those web sites that are privately owned and operated but deal primarily with survival issues. Often times one can find a vast array of valuable data waiting to be merely gathered up and downloaded for later reading.

So now you have your immediate goals. As a student at a university or college campus you should actively recruit additional members to become CERT trained. As one of the senior CERT members you can help push these new recruits into a meaningful community service that they can be proud of. If you require help in achieving these goals your local CERT organization can help you to arrange for some excellent training. Above all, you yourself should keep on learning when it comes to emergency preparedness. As I always say “We must learn to take care of ourselves” if we are to survive any disaster that we encounter.