HANCOCK COUNTY — Disasters typically don’t come with much warning.
That’s why local emergency experts are hosting a series of sessions designed to help local residents prepare to be self-sufficient if natural disasters or other disasters strike.
“We want the public to come to these meetings because the more people we have to attend now, the smoother things will go when we have to put a plan into action,” said Jim Peters, chairman of Hancock County COAD — Community Organizations Active in Disaster.
The first session was held Jan. 4 at the Hancock County Emergency Management center, at 640 W. Franklin St. in Greenfield.
About 20 people attended the meeting, led by George Boaz, former deputy director of the County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and Jeff Ferrell, a longtime police officer and EMT who now runs school security.
The men shared preparedness tips like stocking up supplies and creating a family plan.
“2024 is going to be the year of the prepper,” said Boaz, who has many years experience as a state police officer and security specialist.
“We’re not talking about building bunkers and stocking up on ammunition. We’re not talking about that kind of prepper, but I do believe everyone should be prepared for whatever’s coming,” he said.
Boaz shared 12 steps shared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of ways to prepare, from signing up for alerts and warnings to documenting and security property.
“This right here is the most valuable tool to survive,” said Boaz, tapping his head. “You’ve got to keep educating yourself,” he said.
Ferrell said utilities and medical services are fragile systems, and people need to be prepared to sustain themselves if access is disrupted for any reason.
Both he and Boaz said it’s wise to stock up on enough supplies to sustain every member of your household for at least three days — preferably 30 days — including one gallon of water per person per day.
Grocery store shelves can be wiped out in a matter of hours when panic sets in, said Ferrell, who stocks up on pallets of food for his family.
“You need to be sure to rotate your stock so it’s always good,” said Ferrell, who donates his stash to a homeless shelter once a year, then replenishes his stock.
He and his wife do the same with medications, donating them to a charitable outreach organization that accepts medicine up to five years past the expiration date.
Boaz also spoke of the importance of keeping an emergency fund of cash on hand, in case access is disrupted at banks and ATMs.
“Even if you start putting $5 a week in an envelope, get started creating that fund as soon as you can,” said Boaz, who also recommended printing and storing important documents in a waterproof folder.
Both he and Ferrell spoke of the importance of having backup cell phone battery banks powered up at all times, and suggested having a weather alert radio, solar and hand-crank radio or other communication devices on hand in case batteries die or cell towers are compromised.
They also suggested downloading the Smart 911 app and local news apps to stay up to date on the latest information.
Boaz said he and Ferrell will go more in depth on a variety of preparedness topics in future sessions.
Meetings are at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Hancock County Emergency Management center, at 640 South Franklin St. in Greenfield. The next meeting is Feb. 1.
For more information on Hancock County COAD, visit HancockCOAD.org.
