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Washington, DC -
On Friday, February 7th, based upon specific information analyzed by the intelligence community, and after conferring with the Homeland Security Council, a decision was made to increase the national threat level from yellow (elevated risk) to orange (high risk). Within what seemed like a matter of minutes, Americans were reminded of how much life has changed over the last few years as news outlets began reporting on changes at airports, in government buildings and along our nation's waterways.
In Missouri, much like in Washington, D.C., with that new warning came a lot of advice about how to prepare for a potential attack here in the United States. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I have heard a great deal as well. While most of the information has been helpful, the most useful information I have seen and heard has been steeped in pure old-fashioned common sense.
When dealing with a potentially dangerous situation, common sense would dictate to do as the Boy Scouts' motto states and "be prepared." In Southern Missouri, where we are used to preparing for natural disasters like flooding, earthquakes, and tornadoes, that means making sure that you have a plan of action in place -- before there is a problem.
Over the last several days, there have been a variety of checklists, recommendations and speeches about how to best prepare for any number of disasters which could occur in any region at any time. I have included a few that may prompt further discussion with your family and throughout your communities. I encourage each of you to have a general framework for how you might deal with any disruption in normal daily activities.
Most of the recommendations I have made are based on suggestions from the Department of Homeland Security ( www.dhs.gov), the White House ( www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/), the Missouri Office of Homeland Security ( http://www.homelandsecurity.state.mo.us/) and the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross offices in our area have materials they can make available on how to get ready for the unexpected. If you would like to learn more, just give them a call (in the Cape Girardeau region call 573-335-9471 and in Springfield region call 417-832-9500).
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Create a communications plan – Oftentimes a disaster in the area means that phone lines are out of order and e-mail access is, at best, limited. Make sure that phone and e-mail information is up to date and complete. You may also want to establish a point of contact outside of the area that family members can call in case of an emergency and share the same list with your children's school and your place of employment.
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Designate a meeting place – Instead of wandering around trying to find each other if phone service is unavailable, decide right now where family members should meet in case of a disaster. Make sure to establish a back-up location and provide that information to the out of area contact so they can inform other family members of your whereabouts in the event that you are separated.
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Prepare a disaster kit – As with events like floods and tornadoes, make sure that you have the supplies you need in case you can't make it to the store. Some sources advise that you have enough water and nonperishable foods to last for three days. Others also recommend that you have an adequate amount of necessary prescription medication as well as a first aid kit, a battery operated radio for updates, a flashlight and other tools or hardware materials. Finally, consider preparing similar kits for your home, car and office. For a complete list visit any of the websites listed above or refer to the American Red Cross brochures.
Although I believe that this information will make us more prepared and even give some a deeper sense of comfort, our communities and nation must go on with our normal day to day lives. So, do the things you do every day – like go to work, enjoy time with your families, and attend church. At the same time, remain aware and alert. You are the eyes and ears of your community and staying calm and vigilant are two of the greatest ways to help during uncertain times. To do anything less would mean that we have succumbed to fear and that just isn't who we are – the land of the free and the home of the brave.
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