Depending on one’s branch of service, planning for the worst case scenario is part of the everyday drill – Practice. Drill. Rehearse; those in service aren’t focused on the negative, they just plan for the negative with a positive plan forward.

What is your plan forward?

911 will not help you. You are your own first line of response. And, you are likely not ready for ANY crisis or disaster. Earthquakes, landslides, train derailments, ice storms, extended power outages – are you prepared?
A 2007 USA TODAY/Gallup Poll found that when it comes to preparing for such disasters, 41 percent of people don’t have a stockpile of food and water, and 27 percent don’t have an extra supply of medicines, both of which the Federal Emergency Management Agency says are basic disaster preparations. About 40 percent haven’t picked a person for their family to contact in the event of a disaster and 18 percent don’t have a first aid kit.

According to Department of Homeland Security, natural disasters such as flood, fire, earthquake, tornado and windstorm affect thousands of people every year. You should know what your risks are and prepare to protect yourself, your family and community.
On March 15, you will have the chance to learn how to prepare for the long overdue Cascadia earthquake as well as more common disasters.

Fire District 1, in partnership with Lynnwood Fire Department, the My Neighborhood News Network (Lynnwood Today, MLTnews, and My Edmonds News), Operation Military Family and Edmonds Community College, invite you to attend “Count Me In, When Disaster Strikes” Town Hall, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Edmonds Community College (Woodway Hall 202).

This is your opportunity to educate yourself and start your plan forward. We’ve all heard the adage, “Expect the best, plan for the worst.” Now is your time to plan.

Bottom line: Mark your calendars for the Fire District 1 Town Hall Event. Keynote speaker is Dr. Brian Atwater, University of Washington. Admission is free. You can learn more here.

— By Michael Schindler

Michael Schindler, Navy veteran, and president of Edmonds-based Operation Military Family, is a guest writer for several national publications, author of the book “Operation Military Family” and “The Military Wire” blog. He is also a popular keynote and workshop speaker who reaches thousands of service members and their families every year through workshops and seminars that include “How to Battle-Ready Your Relationship” or “What Your Mother-in-Law Didn’t Tell You.” He received the 2010 Outstanding Patriotic Service Award from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs