Gilchrist Family Emergency Thoughts - FOR ADULTS ONLY!!!!

We managed to survive the Calgary floods of June 2013, with only a few glitches Ryan and Tiffany did without electricity for a few hours and at the home base our phones would not accept incoming calls, but we could call out. We have been truly blessed:)

This is a picture of Bowness Park (I found this picture on the web) - UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!

As I've seen more daily pictures in the Calgary Herald of the devastation which has plagued so many families and businesses throughout Calgary, High River and else where in Alberta. My heart is overwhelming! Without the physical strength to actually go and do the work required to assist others, we have tried in our own way to be generous with our fast offerings as well as send a donation to the Calgary Food Bank. We can all in our own way assist in helping our fellowmen whether through the Mormon Helping Hands,
unanimously, through cash donations or being involved physically. Each has a work to do, unique to each of us!!

This is a picture of the Stampede Grounds!!!
 

As I've thought of what Calgary and area has been experiencing, I can't help but wonder how prepared we all were!? What areas should we concentrate on, as a family group? As Tom and I do not have the TV which would have surely made us/me aware of the seriousness of it all, much quicker. I'm thankful that Tiffany had posted a message on Facebook about "filling her tub". This truly got my attention!!!! I wondered how long it would have taken for all of us to know whether other members of our immediate family were suffering? Eventually, I managed to call everyone or saw their messages on Facebook (assuming that they were okay).

In the last little while, our ward has been really focused on Emergency Prepardness, a couple of months prior to the flooding. In fact, in Relief Society we had even prepared a "Go To" binder (it was initially called the G.A.G. binder, but we changed the name:) This binder would contain all of the pertinent information which you might need in case of any emergency!!

1. Evacuation Plans.
2. Emergency Contacts (in this category we would specifically need all of your work #'s and work addresses should we need to find you urgently, as well as the cars you drive).
3. Medical Information. It is imperative that everyone has the S.I.N. #'s and full names of both your parents, plus where they were born. (I had no idea how important this would be!!) + All of your medication.
4. Insurance (include your policy #'s, coverage dates and by which company).
5. Finances.
6. Estate Planning.
7. Personal Identification.
8. 72 hour Emergency Kit Planning.
9. Food Storage Inventory / Planning.
10. Other: List of where original documents or copies are kept.
                Offsite location of crucial documents
                Copies of Patriarchal Blessings, etc.

***** Of course, once this binder is completed all of the adults should know where it is kept, so you can grab it as you are leaving in a case of emergency!!!!

One of the sisters from our ward has sent me the attachments to prepare our own binders. So, whether we plan on doing this as a group or individually I do have the information to share with all of you:). Everything fits well into a 1" binder.

As well, there are tons of websites which deal with many topics of interest about Emergency as well. 

I would be very curious to here from everyone: 
- "What we have all learned from this"?
- "Are there areas in the above list which you as individuals or families would be interested in doing as a group?"
- "Would you be comfortable with us considering this topic as a Family Reunion Theme?"

This has been a very different blog but I could not let this pass by without sharing a few thoughts. Whether we are faced with a fire disaster, blackouts, tornadoes, more flooding, or eventually the Second Coming I want all of us to HAVE A PLAN!!!!! For many of us this was simply a "potential test". We have been warned by our leaders since forever to be PREPARED. Let's take it seriously this time!!!!