The comments included below are the researcher's own, except where noted, based on extensive studies and experiences as a disaster responder and disaster information presenter. Please view the provided links for additional information.

Nobody can be completely prepared for all potential disasters since we all have limited resources of time and money. The Spokane region has a long history of minor and major disasters. We all need to take responsibility for being "reasonably" prepared to protect our household and neighbors.

There are many organizations that provide information on specific disaster topics. this website was created to provide a comprehensive list of links to other sites with information relevant to the Inland Northwest.

According to the local Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis, winter storms are the most likely events followed by power failures, wild fires, home fires, terrorism and hazardous materials incidents respectively.

It is advisable to have a meeting place in your neighborhood, like a neighbor's home, in case of home fire or other unsafe conditions where the family can gather and be accounted for. It is also advisable to have a backup location well away from your neighborhood in case of larger disasters where family members can gather and be accounted for.

During a large disaster, if your family becomes separated, it may be easier to make long distance calls, rather than local, to account for each other. Many local phone lines may be down or overloaded while disaster agencies may have dedicated long distance lines or utilize satellite and radio communications.

It is important that we encourage our employers to have a business continuity plan (it is required in Canada and Britain), to protect our jobs and income. It is also important because our business or organization may provide necessary services or products to other citizens and businesses.

NOAA Weather radios are becoming the choice alert system for all hazard warnings issued by the government, including Amber Alerts, since broadcasts can currently reach 95% of the population. Please check out this link to learn more and find available radios.

FEMA recommends each person and household maintain a 72 hour (3 day) hit. If a major disaster exceeds the local community's ability to handle, it may take 72 hours to mobilize and transport necessary personnel and supplies from other areas.

In our technologically advanced society, we use an extensive amount of chemicals that may be extremely toxic when released into the environment in large quantities. Spokane is a major transportation corridor and storage facility for many of these materials. Fortunately most chemicals disperse quickly and simple measures provided by Red Cross Shelter-in-Place instructions can protect your household.

It is important that you keep basic emergency supplies in your vehicles at all times, especially when traveling outside your community. You never know when you might become stranded due to a car breakdown or weather. Be sure to include items like medications; I was stranded last year without my heart medications a hundred miles from home. Follow this link for more information on all disaster kits.

Most home fires happen at night and people, especially young children, become confused in the dark and smoke. You have very little time to escape from a home before toxic fumes overcome you once a fire starts. Please check out FEMA fire safety information.

Both people living in cities and in rural areas need to be concerned about what to do with their animals during a disaster. If you have to evacuate your home and go to a shelter, you cannot take your pets into the shelter for health and safety reasons. If you have farm animals, you need to have the ability to transport them to a different location in case of an incident like a wildfire. Please go to FEMA advice for animal owners for more information.

FEMA advises all households have members that are trained in First Aid and CPR in case professional medical response is delayed. Especially for severe bleeding or heart attack, every minute and second counts! First aid training is available from your local Red Cross Chapter.

This information will enable local disaster organizations design more appropriate presentations for the community.

Based on this information, most presentations will be designed for one hour with optional workshops that may last longer.

If this is your desire, please get involved with your local Community Emergency Response Teams.