If we asked you to imagine an emergency, what would come to mind? For some people it’s a blizzard, and for others it’s a hurricane, a fire, or a flood. Many of us picture large-scale disasters that happen somewhere else and assume we’d have plenty of warning if something serious ever happened here. The truth is that emergencies do happen, big and small and there isn’t always time to prepare in the moment, but there are many things we can do now. Emergency preparedness isn’t about preparing for the most dramatic emergency; it’s about preparing for the most likely one. Here in Vermont, we’ve had plenty of reminders that emergencies aren’t just something that happens elsewhere; they can happen at home too! We don’t have to be scared, but we can be prepared.
In recent years, communities across the Northeast Kingdom have experienced devastating flooding, road washouts, prolonged power outages, poor air quality from wildfire smoke, and structure fires. Orleans County residents were among those impacted by the historic flooding that led to federal disaster assistance becoming available following the 2023 disaster. More recently, flooding again caused damage to roads, homes, and infrastructure throughout parts of the Northeast Kingdom. Others have had non-headline breaking news emergencies such as home fires and at-home accidents. Realistically, most of us weren’t prepared for any of these before and still aren’t today. According to the Vermont Department of Health (www.healthvermont.gov), being prepared before an emergency occurs can help reduce stress, improve safety, and allow families to respond more effectively when situations change quickly. One of the biggest misconceptions about preparedness is that it requires expensive equipment or months of planning. In reality, some of the most important preparations are surprisingly simple. Could you leave your home in 15 minutes if emergency officials recommended evacuation? Would you have medications, important documents, phone chargers, water, and a change of clothes readily available? Would every member of your household know where to meet if cell service was unavailable? These are the types of questions emergency planners encourage us to consider long before they become urgent.
A “go bag” or emergency kit is one of the easiest places to start. According to Ready.gov (www.ready.gov), basic emergency supplies should include water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, important documents, and supplies specific to your family’s needs. For older adults, this may include hearing aid batteries, mobility devices, or medical information. Families with children may want comfort items, snacks, diapers, or pet supplies included as well. Items may include but are not limited to face masks, ear protection, drinking apparatus, and even a waterproof or fireproof blanket.
Preparedness isn’t about fear. It’s about confidence. When we know we have a plan, emergencies become less overwhelming and more manageable. That’s why The Wellness Center is partnering with The Vermont Department of Health to host a free Well Talk on Emergency Preparedness on Wednesday, June 24, at noon. Becky Petelle, Emergency Preparedness Specialist, has been leading the charge in the Newport and St. Johnsbury area on this for a long time and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. During this free community event, participants will learn about emergencies that can affect Vermonters, with special attention to situations we are more likely to encounter here in the Northeast Kingdom. We’ll discuss evacuation planning, emergency communication, and what belongs in a go bag. Participants will also have the opportunity to build their own go bags during the program. Everyone is welcome to attend!
We cannot predict every emergency that may come our way. But we can take simple steps today that will help protect ourselves, our families, and our communities tomorrow. This can start now! In general, be someone who knows how they will get out of their home, workplace, and places you visit. Talk to your family about the same. If you live alone, what is your plan for reaching out for help in the event of an emergency? Talk to your kids or if you have older adults in the home about what to do if there is a fire in the home. Do you have window ladders in each room and on all floors? If not, what’s the plan? You can even check your phone right now to see if you have the right numbers if you need to call family, friends or local officials for help. These things matter. They don’t always take a lot of time or catastrophizing, just a little extra thought!
The goal isn’t to be scared. It’s to be prepared. Each step you take towards being more prepared, you will notice you feel more empowered! From packing a “go back,” to learning CPR, or having the proper fire extinguishers in your home, it all adds up to confidence, safety and we hope a longer, healthier, and happier life well lived. Come learn more with us on the 24th. Remember, let’s be prepared, not scared.