Be prepared: MSP Commander discusses emergency planning

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Photos by Frank Weir

By Frank Weir
Legal News

Michigan State Police District Commander Capt. Monica Yesh gave a presentation on emergency preparedness at the March 16 Jackson County Chamber of Commerce 2015 Economic Luncheon at Cascades Manor House in Jackson.

Although the subject might cause some eyes to glaze over, or for some to assume preparedness is only for a major catastrophic event similar to the terror attacks of 9/11, Yesh presented a lively and at times humorous discussion and noted that natural disasters or technological hazards are more likely to occur in the state.

"Remember when many in the state lost power for several days a few years ago? How did you react to that? I want to make sure you are prepared if that occurs or something similar occurs again," Yesh began.

According to Yesh, statistics show that if a business loses technology for nine days after a natural disaster, they are often bankrupt within a year.

"It's important for businesses to invest in preparedness. You have the potential to lose out to a competitor so you want to be sure your supply chain is not interrupted, that you are well insured," she said. "Even then, insurance won't replace your customers and many public agencies are overwhelmed by a disaster. So be sure you do what you can to protect yourself. Surveys show two thirds of businesses have no emergency plan," she said.

Five steps for a business plan include; preparedness program management, planning, implementation, testing and exercises, and program improvement.

Management includes organizing and developing and administering a preparedness program, looking at insurance and loss prevention, protecting equipment, protecting the safety of clients and employees, and ways to limit business interruption.

Yesh said Target Stores have an impressive corporate command center at its Minneapolis headquarters and a coordinated plan in case of an emergency or disaster. Their plan includes automatic distribution of extra items including water supplies and so forth, plans to help employees, truck rerouting, generators supplied to stores if needed.

Yesh noted that preparation is a "shared responsibility."

"You should not just rely on the government being prepared to help or save your life or that of a family member. It all involves individuals, families, the business community, governmental agencies and nonprofits. But it all begins with you.

"You need to be prepared to provide for yourself and your family for 72 hours completely on your own: food, water, communication, sanitation needs, everything."

Yesh suggested a four-step approach that includes: understanding potential hazards; creating a plan; building a supply and preparation kit; and practicing the plan.

Research dangers that may be encountered in your home or work location and what disaster plans are in place at local schools, municipalities and work places. Make sure you know emergency contacts and collect important documents for safekeeping.

Yesh noted family pets must be considered; and in preparing for a potential house fire, remember there likely will not be time to safely look for pets.

She emphasized that family members, especially children, understand the plan and review it with them often.

Kits should include a three-day supply of water for each person as well as food for three days, a battery powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, first aid, toilet paper, medications, pet supplies and even a whistle, to alert others of your location if necessary.

The plan should be practiced every six months, Yesh said, and regular fire evacuation drills conducted. Stored food and water should be replaced every six months and smoke detectors tested monthly.

With terrorism very much in the news Yesh recommended being aware of activity around you and being ready to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

The state police guide lists seven signs of possible terrorist behavior including someone surveilling an area, asking for information, seemingly testing security, acquiring unusual supplies like large quantities of fertilizer, someone obviously out of place given their appearance, someone conducting activity that might be serving as a trial run for a larger, more serious event, and people deploying assets.

Yesh noted that citizens can call 9-1-1 or submit an anonymous tip to 855-MICHTIP (855-642-4847).

"How many terrorist acts do you think have been avoided?" Yesh asked. "I can tell you it's a lot more than people know of. It isn't reported in the media or discussed often. And those interventions come from people reporting something they've seen. If you are in a tourist area, keep an eye out. Perhaps you are visiting the Mackinac Bridge and see someone suspicious or see the same person there every day for a period of time and they just don't seem to fit in somehow. That's the sort of thing to be aware of. Call it in."

For more information about emergency preparedness, visit www.michigan.gov/emhsd and www.michigan.gov/beprepared as well as federal websites such as www.fema.gov.

Published: Thu, Mar 26, 2015

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