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Heed the call of the wolf

Recall the Aesop's fable about the ant and the grasshopper: The ant was busy gathering food for the winter, while the grasshopper played all day long. The lesson of the fable: Be Prepared for the Future. Some of us are ants, always preparing for future events, while others are grasshoppers, chirping and singing through life. There is probably a happy medium between the two lifestyles for overall daily living. But unfortunately, most people are more like the grasshopper when it comes to preparing for an unknown future emergency event.
In addition to our non-attentive attitude, the story of "Peter and the Wolf" comes to mind. It seems every unusual event these days becomes "big" news, and questioned as possible terrorism, then turns out to be related to some other cause. Just as no one heeds Peter's call when the wolf finally appears, Americans have become indifferent to the warnings we have been given after 9/11 to make preparations for an emergency event because all of the "wolf" calls have turned out to be insignificant.

But the "sighting of the wolf" could be real at any time. In addition, wicked weather can occur anywhere in this country. While we can probably never be fully prepared for unknown events, it is practical and prudent to be like the ant and "heed the call of the wolf." Begin to make some preparations today so you will be prepared, should an event, such as a severe storm or terror attack occur.
There are several websites developed by the government (with links to other agencies) which offer step-by-step, practical recommendations to take now for family safety should an event occur. One website is www.ready.gov/ It is divided into three sections: Make a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed. While it addresses preparedness more focused on a terrorist attack, there are certainly many ideas to carry out to prepare for an adverse weather event. Another website is www.bt.cdc.gov. Under the section "Emergency Preparedness", you will find information about preparing for a variety of events and all types of weather.

You should prepare a kit for your family. It should at the minimum contain: Water (one gallon of water per person per day) and non-perishable food for at least 3 days; A flashlight; A battery-powered radio; Extra batteries; A first aid kit; A wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities); A whistle (to signal for help); A can opener; Garbage bags and ties for personal sanitation; Special items for special populations, such as infant formula, diapers, medications, eye glasses and pet supplies. Some people might choose to keep a small amount of cash.

You should make a family plan. This plan should include important phone numbers, how to decide whether to stay where you are or to evacuate an area (or go to get children) and how you will contact each other if separated during an event. It is important to know your child's school/day care emergency plan so you can discuss it with your child. You may want to keep your car with at least half a tank of gas at all times.

The third part of "being ready" is to be informed. Do you know what to do in the event of a biological, chemical, or radiological threat? While it is not essential to know every possible agent, there are some general practices that you can learn should there be an event. Specific information would most likely be available through emergency operation centers.

You can access all of the information referenced above in greater detail from the websites. If you do not have access to the internet, QVHD can provide you with a complete packet of information to help you to "be ready." This information is provided as part of the plan for preparedness. It is not intended to cause panic. But, it would seem that to be more like the ant is prudent in this day and age.

For more information, District residents (Hamden, North Haven and Woodbridge) can call QVHD, 203.248.4528. Or you can request information online or through email, dculligan@qvhd.org

Quinnipiack Valley Health District
1151 Hartford Turnpike
North Haven, CT 06473

Phone. (203)248-4528
Fax. (203)248-6671
E-Mail. info@qvhd.org