Slide 2:
On Monday, City of Los Angeles Controller Laura Chick said her just completed audit of the city’s preparedness for large-scale emergencies and health crises “cries out for a coordinated, constantly up-dated, state of the art strategic plan.”
“I want the public to know that the City of Los Angeles is not as well-prepared for a widespread disaster as we need to be and as we can be,” she stated.
Slide 3:
Surveys by emergency preparedness officials of several other large cities found they have concerns about some of the same issues that Los Angeles faces. These officials said they will be studying the Los Angeles audit to ascertain what recommendations and actions might be applicable to their own cities and surrounding communities.
Slide 4:
These findings support for the need of individuals in our country and throughout the world, to prepare for natural and man-made disasters. There is both historical and now recent proof that our government is not ready to rush to our aid. Should a 7.8 earthquake hit along the San Andres or New Madrid faults or should another category 4 or 5 hurricane hit one of our coastal cities there will not be immediate life-saving support. Unless you prepare for such events yourself you risk pain, suffering and possibly death. We must all help ourselves first and then reach out to help our friends and neighbors to help and support them.
Slide 5:
The question of how to prepare is on many people’s minds. But how to prepare is not very clear. Yes there are lists and lists that you can find with suggested supplies. Yes it is possible to go from store to store and get food and water as well as the other goods. However, it becomes a chore that according to statistics most Americans are not doing. Only 27-32% of American households are ready for such disasters.