Disaster Recovery News

Photo by Guiri R. Reyes

One of the important things learned from natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina is the need to include your pets in the family’s emergency disaster plan. Images of homeowners who would not evacuate their homes because they did not want to leave a pet behind and those of abandoned pets still cause animal lovers and pet owners to cringe and wish they could have done something to help. The time to help protect your pets is now, before a disaster happens.

Protecting Your Pet When Disaster Strikes

When making your disaster plan, keep the following in mind when it comes to your animal companion:

• Make plans to evacuate your pet. During a disaster, you may need to evacuate your home. Plan where you would take your pet because leaving them behind could result in injuries, your pet running away or death.

• Know what facilities could take your pet during a disaster. Call your area animal shelters and kennels to see if they board animals during a disaster. See if any hotels you may stay in if you evacuate accept pets. Additionally, see which friends would be willing to take care of your pet until your home is safe again.

• Pack pet supplies. Just like your family, your petwill need food and water during a disaster. In your emergency disaster kit, remember to keep your pet’s medications, leash, the vet’s phone number, a first aid kit, food and water bowls, can opener and litter box (if appropriate). Pets of the non-furry variety may need different supplies during a disaster, such as cages or perches or heating pads, so keep this in mind. Additionally, once you have determined where your family may evacuate to during a disaster, know the phone numbers of area veterinarians in the event you cannot access yours.

Learn more about preparing for a disaster.

Photo by Daquella Manera

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confessed on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 that it does not have an emergency plan in place for those who have special needs, including those who are elderly, disabled and institutionalized. In their defense, officials stated it too difficult for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination to create a rescue plan effectively with a $150,000 budget and four people on staff. The Miami Herald reports, “Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Calif…said the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 improved emergency preparedness by directing FEMA to appoint a Disability Coordinator, but she added that the disability office’s meager funding has restricted its ability to perform well.”

Possible Solutions

In an attempt to address this issue, FEMA has suggested creating a list of individuals with special needs;. However, many feel this answer is ineffective and creates a false sense of security, as officials must consider when the next disaster may strike, not when. Instead, Marcie Roth, director of the disability office, states citizens need to take more responsibility and community-wide emergency trainings should be implemented.

Read more about this story.

There is an obvious need to provide resources to those with special needs, which FEMA acknowledges is a matter of life or death. To help with this cause, the RAND Corporation has published Enhancing Public Health Emergency Preparedness for Special Needs Populations: A Toolkit for State and Local Planning and Response.

Learn how you and your family can be prepared for a disaster.

Read about creating a disaster plan for your business.

Image from RIMS

Rapid Refile recently participated in the RIMS 2010 Conference in Boston. The company successfully accomplished its mission to raise awareness about the importance of document recovery as part of every disaster plan.

International risk management professional stopped at Rapid Refile’s booth and learned valuable information about preventing and managing damage to critical documents and records. The conference gave representatives from Rapid Refile another opportunity to speak with current and prospective clients and vendors so they could understand the needs and interests of consumers better.

In addition, the RIMS 2010 Conference set the stage for Rapid Refile representatives to forge new partnerships, attain new resources and develop a better understanding of market trends. As a result, Rapid Refile has been able to improve the service provided to its customers. Contact Rapid Refile’s business development team to receive assistance and information about how to incorporate document recovery solutions into your existing disaster plan.

Learn how to create a disaster plan for your business.