"Helplessness
in the Face of Katrina"
By Mark D. Grover, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Gray Region Citizen Corps
Feelings of helplessness and guilt are expected in
the face of the aftermath of Katrina. You ask, "What
can I do? And what if something disastrous happens
in Maine?"
There are many ways to deal with these feelings in
a positive way. Here are eight ideas. Taking action
helps many people through times like this.
Make a cash donation to a reputable charity. This
is the most efficient way to help. For example, the
Red Cross buys blankets cheaply in bulk, but your
cash can help pay for it. Their donation line is 1-800-HELP-NOW.
If you are uncertain about the reputation of a particular
charity, check with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance at
www.Give.org
Recognize that disasters happen anywhere, and that
preparation is an important lesson that we can learn
from these events. In Maine, we have been directly
hit by three Category Three or higher hurricanes since
the Civil War. In 1918, many Mainers died during the
worldwide flu epidemic. The wildfires of 1947 resulted
in 2.500 homeless in Maine. Many of us remember vividly
the effects of the Ice Storm of 1998. And then there
are technological disasters such as hazardous materials
releases which have disrupted neighborhoods, sometimes
for long periods. Maine is our beautiful and healthy
home, but is vulnerable to disasters too.
Have a family disaster plan. Where would you meet
your family members if your home were affected by
fire or flood? Where would you go next? Who would
you contact? September is National Preparedness Month
and there are plenty of free materials available to
help you make your own plan. (For example, see http://www.ready.gov/index.html
).
Make a disaster kit. Red Cross shelters can provide
you with soap and a toothbrush, but they can't hand
out prescriptions. And it might be a while before
you found shelter. You'll want a kit that you can
grab and toss into your car. See the ready.gov web
site for a handy list of supplies that you should
assemble in advance. Although commercial emergency
kits can be purchased, it is not expensive to create
your own.
Put yourself on a volunteer list. If you are safe,
and your loved ones safe, then the next step is to
help your neighbors and friends. No one expects you
to join the Fire-Rescue Department or to sign up for
the National Guard. But you can put your name on a
list of potential local volunteers to be called in
the case of another Ice Storm. Just fill out a Citizen
Corps interest survey available in the Gray Public
Safety lobby.
Could you take care of someone's dog while they looked
for a place to stay? Could you deliver groceries to
a remote camp? Do you have a snow plow on your truck
that could be used? Without an advance list of volunteers
to turn to, how could you expect help to reach people
in time? And without volunteers, the Citizen Corps
and the Red Cross are simply ineffective. And there
is no commitment. When a disaster strikes, if you
are unavailable, just say so.
Take a class. The Red Cross, the Citizen Corps, and
other organizations offer free or low-cost classes
in everything from first aid to chainsaw safety. Be
informed and make sure that your children are similarly
prepared to help. The next Gray Region Citizen Corps
class is September 24th at 10AM in Stimson Hall.
Question your local officials. Inquire when the last
time your town's emergency response plan was updated.
Find out what communications, additional emergency
phone lines, disaster and volunteer supplies, and
shelter locations have been prepared in advance. Learn
what agreements have been made in writing with local
and regional volunteer organizations. Are such preparations,
equipment and supplies responsibly funded and managed?
Have there been any practice exercises, and what was
changed as a result?
Reassure your family. Explain to your family how you
have helped others in need, and how you have prepared
yourselves for difficult times. Involve them in preparation
activities. You may find that feeling prepared is
one way to avoid feeling helpless.
