How Prepared Are You

How Prepared Are You                                                May 20, 2017

Today is Armed Forces Day 

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank service members for their service. Armed Forces Day was created on August 31, 1949. 

First, I would like to say before we start, we need to depend on God for our protection, no question there, but we are to do what we can. 

Psalms 91:9-11 "LORD, you are my refuge!" Because you chose the Most High as your dwelling place,  (10)  no evil will fall upon you, and no affliction will approach your tent,  (11)  for he will command his angels to protect you in all your ways. 

Psalms 91:14-16 Because he has focused his love on me, I will deliver him. I will protect him because he knows my name.  (15)  When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him in his distress. I will deliver him, and I will honor him.  (16)  I will satisfy him with long life; I will show him my deliverance. 

We must take responsibility 

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people. 

Now, Is it wrong to prepare.   

If we have a major “thing”, happen in our area and we have 20 minutes where you have to leave your home, are you prepared to do this. 

With thunderstorm, lightning and or tornado, things we have to be concern about.  A few questions,  

·      Do you know where your car title is located?

·      Do you have a list of all medications your household takes on a daily basis?

·      Do you know how to find the emergency broadcasting channel on a radio? 

Why should we be concern about this.  Can we get the things in 30 min.

Just get little by little on the things you need.

We notice Noah didn’t wait until it started raining to build the ark. 

Unfortunately, this is how we live today, waiting until the last possible moment to prepare for what’s coming. We can see this at our local grocery store every time a natural disaster warning is issued. We quickly descend on the local grocery store; only to find the store wiped out by other unprepared individual, all hoping to stock up right before the disaster hits. 

In an instant, our food supplies can be cutoff.  If it happens, how long will we have to live without new supplies, live in our homes for weeks. 

Let’s look at some Scripture Related to preparedness 

Noah and the ark  (Gen 5:32 – 500 yrs; Gen 7:6 – 600 yrs – floodwaters) 

Genesis 6:21-22 And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them."  (22)  Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. 

Noah was told to build an ark to carry every animal.  He was to have enough supplies and food for all of the animals and for his family.   Besides building the ark, he and his family was to grow, hunt, harvest and how do you store all the food they would require for over a year.  Think about it for a minute.  No Sam’s or Costco store around. 

Joseph 

Genesis 41:15-16 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it."  (16)  So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." 

Genesis 41:33-34 "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.  (34)  Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years.   (Joseph prepared) 

Notice God gave Pharaoh a dream of what was going to happen and he needed someone to interrupt the dream for him.  Joseph had to store enough food for people and animals for 14 years.  They had to cut back the first 7 years of plenty for the next 7 years of famine.  We do not know what is going to happen tomorrow.  

Ant 

Proverbs 6:6-8 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,  (7)  Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,  (8)  Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. 

We are told to learn from the ant and prepare without being told, because we should do it for our family. 

Store up  

Proverbs 21:20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. 

1 Timothy 5:8  But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Notice, there is no exception.  We all have worked to take care of our families and prepared some for any possible problem we might run into, times of famine, economy goes down or a major storm. 

I have been told throughout the years of my life, think about “what if” situations.   

What happens if a heavy snow or ice storm hits, electricity is out, no heat.   

·      What are we going to do.  

·      Do we have enough food for a week, a propane heater and extra propane tanks.  We have other concerns down here. 

·      Yes we are to do our part, and God will protect.  But we are to take care of our part and provide what I can for my family. 

Matthew 24:42-44  Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.  (43)  But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.  (44)  Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 

What is the one thing that is going to affect us personally in the future.   

Persecution 

Matthews 10:21-23 "Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.  (22)  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.  (23)  When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 

Flee:  to run away, to vanish,  escape, flee (away) 

Acts 22:17-18 "Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance  (18)  and saw Him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.'  

OK,, What Should We Do, Be Informed, Make a Plan, and Build a Kit

What are some potential hazards we face in North Texas 

Biological Threats, Chemical Threats, Cyber Incident, Drought, Earthquakes, Extreme Heat, Explosions, Floods, Hazardous Materials Incidents, Home Fires, Household Chemical Emergencies, Hurricanes, Landslides & Debris Flow, Nuclear Blast (EMP), Nuclear Power Plants, Power Outages, Severe Weather, Snowstorms & Extreme Cold, Thunderstorms & Lightning, Tornadoes, Volcanoes, Wildfires 

Earthquakes  

·      If you're indoors, stay there. Get under -- and hold onto --a desk or table, or stand against an interior wall

·      If you're outside, get into the open

·      If you're driving, move the car out of traffic and stop 

Thunderstorm and Lightning 

·      Don’t take shelter in a shed, under isolated trees or in a convertible vehicle

·      If a sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hardtop vehicle and keep the windows up

·      Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately

·      Avoid showering or bathing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity 

Tornados 

·      Texas is part of Tornado Alley

·      Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May but tornados can occur in any month of the year

·      Tornados can occur anywhere, neighborhoods, DFW and rural areas  

Look for the following danger signs for tornados 

·      Dark, often greenish sky

·      Large hail

·      A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating

·      Loud roar, similar to a freight train

·      Take shelter by going to the center of an interior room on the lowest level of a building

·      Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside 

Warning sirens are generally activated when 

·      Tornado warnings from the National Weather Service naming your location in its path

·      Severe thunderstorm warnings from the National Weather Service with winds forecast over 73mph

·      When deemed necessary by city officials (civil unrest, Hazmat, disasters 

Watches vs. Warnings 

·      Watch — Conditions are favorable for the severe weather event in or near the watch area. When a watch is announced, stay alert and be ready to take action 

·      Warning — Severe weather event is imminent or occurring in the warned area. Take action based on the emergency at hand 

Floods/Flashfloods 

It only takes six inches of fast- moving floodwater to knock over an adult and two feet to carry away most vehicles, including pickups and SUVs 

High winds 

·      Can accompany other natural disasters

·      Debris can turn into damaging projectiles

·      Can cause power outages 

Hail 

Most commonly causes damage to property, vehicles and crops; more than $1 billion in damage each year

The costliest thunderstorm event in U.S. history struck Dallas-Fort Worth on May 5, 1995 

What to do in a Hail storm

·      Cover windows with curtains or close blinds to reduce the impact of breaking glass.

·      Provide shelter for any outdoor pets or farm animals.

·      Pull over if you are driving 

Heat, Wildfires and Drought 

Wildfires often begin unnoticed. Look at California and the West. 

Winter Storms 

A winter storm can last for several days and be accompanied by:

·      high winds

·      freezing rain or sleet

·      heavy snowfall

·      cold temperatures 

People can become trapped at home, without utilities or other services, or in their vehicle 

Hazardous Materials 

·      Chemical manufacturers are one source of hazardous materials, but there are many others, including 18- wheelers, service stations, hospitals, trains and hazardous materials waste sites 

Blackouts/Loss of Electricity, EMP 

More likely during hottest and coldest periods of the year

We had no electricity for about a week. 

Epidemic, pandemic, Avian Flue, West Nile Virus, etc 

An epidemic occurs when a disease affects a greater number people than is usual for the locality or one that spreads to areas not usually associated with the disease 

Carbon Monoxide, Gas Leaks 

·      You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes

·      Natural gas is odorless and colorless, so harmless substances are added to it to make it smell like rotten eggs, to assist in identifying leaks 

Biological and Chemical Threats, Explosions, Nuclear Blast, dirty bomb,  

·      Biological agents are organisms or toxins that can kill or incapacitate people, livestock and crops

·      The three basic groups of biological agents that would likely be used as weapons are bacteria, viruses and toxins

·      Chemical agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids and solids that have toxic effects on people, animals or plants

·      Explosive devices can be highly portable, using vehicles and humans as a means of transport 

Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant Station 

Located 100 miles southwest of McKinney, TX 

What do we Need for a getaway kit 

Vital Records and Documents 

·      Store important documents in an electronic format on an easily accessible and secure online source or flash drive

·      Make copies of all documents and include them in your disaster kit

·      Remember to update any information as soon as changes take effect 

Examples of Vital Records and Documents 

·      Government issued identification

·      Medical records

·      Marriage, birth, & death certificates

·      House/car deeds

·      Insurance policies

·      Bank records/credit card accounts

·      Home inventory list (with photos) 

Basic disaster supply kit 

Water: (and bottle) One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.

Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.  Emergency Food Ration

Radio: battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.

Flashlight: with extra batteries.

Whistle: to signal for help.

Cash and change: in case ATM’s are unavailable or something prevents the use of credit/debit cards.

Wrench or pliers:  Multi tool, Scissors, Can opener

First-Aid kit

Sanitation and personal hygiene items

Important documents 

Other Possible Items 

Mess kits	shoes per person	Helmet (hard hats)
cup, plate	Duct tape	Matches and/or lighter
Nylon tote bag	Plastic sheeting	Local maps
Paper towels	Moist Wipes	Paper and pencil
utensils	Work gloves	Survival Blanket
Garbage bags	Rain gear/poncho	Shovel
Plastic ties	Tarp	Ice scraper
change of clothes	Towel	Heat warmer
Toilet Paper	Fire lighter	Pocket Saw
Light Stick	Respirator	Rope, clamps

 

Emergency reference materials	Entertainment items for all ages
Extra charger and/or cell phone battery	Cleaners with bleach, disinfectant spray,
Sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes.	Pack supplies in a back pack, suitcase
Pets – prepare for them	Flares or reflective triangle
Food items such as nuts or energy bars
Sand or cat litter for better tire traction

        Proverbs 22:3, 27:12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides         himself; The simple pass on and are punished. 

1 Chronicles 12:32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;