Assisting Others to Become Prepared. Plus
-How to Create a Family Disaster Plan
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The Lord expects us to be Latter-day Saints. That isn’t just an appendage phrase on the end of the name of the Church. It signifies something of tremendous importance. He expects us to show love of God by the way we conduct our lives. He expects us as those who have taken upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ to walk in His way, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, to go the second mile. He expects us as His children to reach out to those around us, not only to members of the Church but to others. As sure and as certain as the sunrise in the morning, we Latter-day Saints and members of this great Church of the Lord should reach out in a spirit of neighborliness and helpfulness” ( Woods Cross, Utah, regional confere nce, 11 Jan. 1998; printed in Oct 2000 Ensign).
During His ministry on the earth, Jesus Christ spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). Emergency preparedness should extend further than the walls of our homes. Using the information from the previous lessons, it is time to reach out to neighbors, friends and others and experience the joy of the Christmas season. Ideas For Service
· 12 Days of Christmas - plan small items that can assist in building a first aid kit.
· Create a 72 hr kit for a college student
· Assist elderly couple to secure their water tank, large bookcase, etc to the wall.
· Distribute “out of area” contact cards to neighbors and assist in filling them out.
· Create chart of emergency numbers (fire, police, poison control, utilities) and distribute to neighbors.
· Invite someone who has not been to the cannery to attend with you.
· Have a neighborhood or other group FHE “white elephant” party using only items related to emergency preparedness
. Simple Gifts
· Candles or Flashlight – May the Spirit of Christmas “light” up your holiday
· Hot Chocolate or Gloves – To help you stay “warm” this Holiday Season
· New Slippers (to put by the bed) – Put up your feet and rest from the hustle and bustle
· Raman Noodles – Hope you have “oodles-n-oodles” of fun this holiday season
· CHEER detergent – Wishing you a holiday full of “cheer”
· Nuts – From your “nutty” neighbors
· Chili – To warm you up on a “chili” night
· Sewing Supplies – I “sew” hope your holiday are happy
· Honey – Have a “honey” of a Christmas
· Can of Soup – You are “soup-r” Merry Christmas
· Oven Mitt – We have to ad-“mitt” you are great neighborUse your imagination to think of additional ideas of service or simple gift ideas and share the holiday spirit!
President Spencer W. Kimball said, “God does notice us, and watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom. The people of the Church need each other’s strength, support, and leadership in a community of believers as an enclave of disciples. In the Doctrine and Covenants we read about how important it is to “…succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5) So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds! (Ensign Dec 1974)
Family Disaster Plan
Here is how to create your Family Disaster Plan Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Keep it simple enough so people can remember the important details. A disaster is an extremely stressful situation that can create confusion. The best emergency plans are those with very few details.Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen.Explain what to do in each case. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disasters ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety and will help everyone know how to respond.Pick two places to meet:
1. Right outside of your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside of your neighborhood in case you can’t return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood.
Everyone must know the address and phone number of the meetinglocation.Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during floods or other disasters, have a plan for getting back together. Separation is a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school.Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be your “family contact.”Your contact should live outside of your area.
After a disaster, it is often easier to make a long distance call than a local call. Family members should call the contact and tell him or her where they are. Everyone must know the contact’s name, address, and phone number.Discuss what to do if authorities ask you to evacuate.
Make arrangements for a place to stay with a friend or relative who lives out of town and/or learn about shelter locations.Be familiar with escape routes. Depending on the type of disaster, it may be necessary to evacuate your home. Plan several escape routes in case certain roads are blocked or closed. Remember to follow the advice of local officials during evacuation situations. They will direct you to the safest route; some roads may be blocked or put you in further danger.
Plan how to take care of your pets. Pets (other than service animals) are not permitted to be in places where food is served, according to many local health department regulations. Plan where you would take your pets if you had to go to a public shelter where theyare not permitted. WHERE TO GO AND WHO TO CONTACT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OUT OF STATE CONTACT:Name: _______________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________________Telephone: Daytime: ____________________ Evening: ______________________ LOCAL CONTACT:Name: _______________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________________Telephone: Daytime: ____________________ Evening: ______________________ NEAREST RELATIVE:Name: _______________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________________Telephone: Daytime: ___________________ Evening: _______________________ FAMILY WORK NUMBERS:Father: _______________________________________________________________Mother: _______________________________________________________________Other: _______________________________________________________________ CHILDREN:Name: _______________________ School: ________________________________Name: _______________________ School _________________________________Name: _______________________ School: ________________________________Name: _______________________ School _________________________________ TEMPORARY CAREGIVER:Name: _____________________________________________________________Telephone: _____________________________________________________________ SPECIAL CONCERNS/MEDICATIONS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ REUNION LOCATIONS:___________________________________________________________________________________ Family Disaster Plan Wallet Card (fill out & copy for each Family member) Emergency Meeting Place _________________________________ (outside your home) Meeting Place ___________________________________________________ Phone #_________________________________________________ (outside your neighborhood) Address___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ Family Contact ________________________________________________ ( Out of state contact Name ) Phone #_______________________ Phone #___________________________ daytime Evening or Cell
Special thanks again to Sister Marcia Lind for her helpful information and inspiration in dealing with Emergency Preparedness.
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