The climate emergency is increasing the number of emergencies we will live through in our lifetimes. These will range from power outages in hot weather to car breakdowns to heatwaves, floods, severe storms, water shortages, bushfires, petrol and food shortages. Yet our lives are so interconnected and yet disconnected from the things we need that most people are underprepared for emergencies.
How long could you go without needing to shop for more food?
How long could you go without power?
What is your bushfire plan?
What would you grab if you had five minutes warning to leave?
In an emergency you will be stressed and cannot make good decisions and yet how many people actually take the time to both plan, communicate the plan and prepare for an emergency? I think most of us get as far as "thinking" we should make a plan.
In 2001 we lived in Bellbrook and in the floods were cut off from town for five days and had no power for three (some people had no power for three weeks). We were amazed at how many people did not even have a torch and we had a continual procession of people coming for boiling water in a thermos from our gas stove. Research shows that most people have 3 days worth of food at home. Due to just-in-time supply and demand food retailers have 3-5 days of perishable food and 3 weeks of non-perishable food.
There is no ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL emergency kit and plan. You need to plan for a variety of situations eg
*car breakdown
*several hours power outage
*heatwaves
* stay in place with no services
* leave emergencies
*quick emergencies
*drawn out emergencies
Once you start it can seem overwhelming but there are resources out there. The book The Handbook: Surviving and Living with Climate Change is an excellent beginning. The Red Cross, The Emergency Preparedness Website and Bushfire Preparedness Plan also have comprehensive resources.
I am also thinking about slow emergencies like a food and/or petrol shortage. Food then would become a big issue. The Lockyer Valley has a pantry list, and academics have worked out a pantry list to provide an emergency balanced diet for 10 weeks.
Think broadly about communication and communication breakdown. Do you have emergency apps on your phone? Do you have a paper map if the mobile network goes down?
Ultimately though, my aim in writing this article is not to provide the best, most comprehensive emergency plan list but to get you to act. Do the thinking about your situation and make your kit. It doesn't matter if it is not perfect (you will improve it as you go). This is mine for inspiration. I can grab just the personal bag or if I have the car, take the lot. Camping equipment for in situ emergencies lives in the garage.
How long could you go without needing to shop for more food?
How long could you go without power?
What is your bushfire plan?
What would you grab if you had five minutes warning to leave?
In an emergency you will be stressed and cannot make good decisions and yet how many people actually take the time to both plan, communicate the plan and prepare for an emergency? I think most of us get as far as "thinking" we should make a plan.
In 2001 we lived in Bellbrook and in the floods were cut off from town for five days and had no power for three (some people had no power for three weeks). We were amazed at how many people did not even have a torch and we had a continual procession of people coming for boiling water in a thermos from our gas stove. Research shows that most people have 3 days worth of food at home. Due to just-in-time supply and demand food retailers have 3-5 days of perishable food and 3 weeks of non-perishable food.
There is no ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL emergency kit and plan. You need to plan for a variety of situations eg
*car breakdown
*several hours power outage
*heatwaves
* stay in place with no services
* leave emergencies
*quick emergencies
*drawn out emergencies
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| Car food emergency kit |
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| Personal emergency kit |
 |
| Car emergency kit |
Once you start it can seem overwhelming but there are resources out there. The book The Handbook: Surviving and Living with Climate Change is an excellent beginning. The Red Cross, The Emergency Preparedness Website and Bushfire Preparedness Plan also have comprehensive resources.
I am also thinking about slow emergencies like a food and/or petrol shortage. Food then would become a big issue. The Lockyer Valley has a pantry list, and academics have worked out a pantry list to provide an emergency balanced diet for 10 weeks.
Think broadly about communication and communication breakdown. Do you have emergency apps on your phone? Do you have a paper map if the mobile network goes down?
Ultimately though, my aim in writing this article is not to provide the best, most comprehensive emergency plan list but to get you to act. Do the thinking about your situation and make your kit. It doesn't matter if it is not perfect (you will improve it as you go). This is mine for inspiration. I can grab just the personal bag or if I have the car, take the lot. Camping equipment for in situ emergencies lives in the garage.
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