“All 87 counties in Minnesota have been declared a federal disaster area at least once since 1965.” (In the Heart of the Storm, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, 2001) Does that statistic surprise you? We live in an area that has experienced both natural and man-made disasters. Today the fear of terrorism lives in the back of our minds whether we want to acknowledge it or not. We ask, “What can I do?” every time we are reminded that our lives can be instantly changed by either natural or man-made disasters. Americans are doers. We instinctively take action. But, for some reason, too many of us have answered the question “What can I do?” by doing little or nothing at all. Kimball Area High School will host Family Emergency Preparedness Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, in the cafetorium. At this event, families will come together to make plans in case of emergency. Plans will focus on how to find each other and where to go, as well as what supplies should be on hand and what skills may be necessary. While making these decisions may seem like a daunting task, that is no reason not to do so. The Family Emergency Preparedness Night will provide the opportunity for families to come together in a group setting for the support and information needed to make these plans. National Preparedness Month won’t mean a thing unless Americans take action. We must be responsible for what is happening under our own roofs. It is up to every one of us to be prepared. This is the first in a series of articles that will help you in this planning process.
