PrepareToday!

What can we learn from West, Texas?

For those who don't know, there was an explosion in West, Texas the evening of April 17th, 2013.  Fifteen were killed - mostly First Responders - and around 200 were wounded. any buildings were destroyed including an apartment complex and a nursing home. For the town of West, this was their "9-11." Though it's not a contest, I've been surprised at how little coverage the West disaster has received in contrast to the Boston explosion. You HAVE heard about West, right?

As a Chaplain with the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN), I have just spent 3 days in West rendering assistance to Survivors there, plus an unexpected fourth day at my Stephenville home fielding eMail's and phone calls from people offering finances, jobs and lodging to West Survivors. Though I experienced things I will never forget in West, I came away with a message I feel compelled to share with anyone inclined to increase their own Disaster Readiness.

Because my wife and I carry a Bug-Out bag in both our vehicles, when the ADRN Volunteers received our deployment instructions by eMail, I was able to leave without much preparation. I encountered person after person at the incident site in West who were either looking for FEMA (they had not arrived as of the 23rd at 5PM) or were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs and found themselves completely dependent upon someone else in order to survive. Sure, there are instances where grabbing a bag is impossible. For example, when a car containing your survival gear is on fire or crushed. I get that. But that is NOT the case in most instances. Truth is, 93% of folks simply aren't ready for anything, and that's a statistical fact. 

One woman who'd heard me speak on Disaster Readiness months ago confessed, "...I admit I patronizingly nodded in agreement with you but now, after this, I can see we had all better be ready because we never know when it's going to be happening to us." Another woman - a professional wearing a business suit - was allowed back into her home but said she was warned not to eat anything or wear any of her clothes because of the ammonium nitrate that had burned so many there. Add to this there would be no water for about three weeks and she and her son had no choice but to relocate and start over.

A disaster can be whatever an individual is going through at any moment. I helped a woman change a flat tire last night; that could have been a disastrous moment for her. For someone else, it's a cheating spouse, a bad doctor report, a son who gets arrested, or a daughter who gets pregnant. People react the way they do as a result of where they're at when the crisis occurs. They might act completely different and have a melt-down during the next crisis.

Are YOU prepared? If you can get a group of at least 12 adults together within 3 hours of Stephenville, I will gladly come and make an encouraging Disaster Readiness presentation. God has burdened my heart to see as many Americans increase their preparedness as possible. E-mail miketummillo@me.com and type "HELP" in your Subject Bar.

Finally, because the out-pouring of love has been so great and is now much more than they need, what the people of West need most is finances (donated through ADRNTX.org, SalvationArmy.org or any other relief organization) as well as jobs and temporary dwelling places.

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Workplace Chaplain

Founder, The Church @ Work

Chaplain, ADRN