Are you ready?

As I was driving home yesterday from our BPDD Retreat in Ashland, I turned on the radio, just north of Oshkosh, hoping to catch the Brewer's game.  To my amazement, the news was on the weather.  It seems that for about the fitth time in the last 7 years, we have had the 100 year rains.  I kept the radio on to see what roads were open so I could get my passenger and myself home.

I rode up and back with one of the BPDD Consumers.  She lives on her own on the East Side of Milwaukee, so you can imagine my drive home.

As we were driving home and listening to the radio, my passenger was recounting her story of a tornado warning and how she was the only one in her apartment building to go to the basement.  As she continued to tell me the story, I thought to myself why didn't more people head to the basement?  After she was done with the story, I asked her if her building had an emergency evacuation plan or any type of plan in the event of a tornado, she told me she did not think so.  I suggested to her that she check on Friday for this plan, I am going to call her today to remind her.

When I met with Carol Wantuch a couple of weeks ago, she told me she was in the process of working with seniors in regards to emergency preparedness.  Carol met with the senior living centers in Cudahy and helped put together a plan. 

How many of us have an emergency plan?  I know that when the kids have fire safety in school, we ususally go over where we are going to meet in the event of a fire.  How many of you live in an apartment or condo complex? Is there a plan in place set up by building management?  If not, don't you think it would be important to have one put in place? 

The Cudahy Health Department has put together an excellent link on their website for emergency preparedness. 

http://www.cudahy-wi.gov/cudahy/departments/health/emergency+preparedness/default1.asp

Please make sure you are ready before it is to late.