Chertoff: Preparedness Depends on People - Yahoo! News
Chertoff: Preparedness Depends on People - Yahoo! News: "WASHINGTON - Stockpiling supplies and developing family response plans in case disaster strikes not only might save lives — it's also a civic duty,
Homeland Security Secretary
Michael Chertoff said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press.
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Two months of hurricanes ravaging the Gulf Coast should prove that people need to make preparations so emergency officials can focus on those who are poor, elderly or otherwise can't help themselves, Chertoff said.
'For those people who say, 'Well, I can take care of myself no matter what, I don't have to prepare,' there is an altruistic element — that to the extent that they are a burden on government services, that takes away from what's available to help those who can't help themselves,' Chertoff said. 'That is a matter of civic virtue.'
Chertoff's comments mark a new stage in Homeland Security's 'Ready' campaign — which was widely ridiculed two years ago for urging homeowners to stock up on duct tape and plastic sheeting to safeguard their homes against a chemical or biological attack.
Now, Chertoff said, the department plans to reach out to school students to carry the preparedness messages home to their parents. Additionally, Homeland Security and the Ad Council launched a newspaper and radio campaign Monday pitched at small businesses to develop disaster plans for workplaces.
Whether the public will listen, however, is another matter.
Even with a week's notice of Hurricane Wilma, many Floridians failed to evacuate areas the storm flooded or to stock up on food, water and other essentials. The cavalier attitude prompted Republican Gov.
Jeb Bush to scold constituents, noting that people who sought relief from Wilma 'had ample time to prepare.'
'It isn't that hard to get 72 hours' worth of food and water,' Bush said last week.
Michael A. Wermuth, homeland security director at the RAND Corp. in Ar"
Homeland Security Secretary
Michael Chertoff said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press.
ADVERTISEMENT
Two months of hurricanes ravaging the Gulf Coast should prove that people need to make preparations so emergency officials can focus on those who are poor, elderly or otherwise can't help themselves, Chertoff said.
'For those people who say, 'Well, I can take care of myself no matter what, I don't have to prepare,' there is an altruistic element — that to the extent that they are a burden on government services, that takes away from what's available to help those who can't help themselves,' Chertoff said. 'That is a matter of civic virtue.'
Chertoff's comments mark a new stage in Homeland Security's 'Ready' campaign — which was widely ridiculed two years ago for urging homeowners to stock up on duct tape and plastic sheeting to safeguard their homes against a chemical or biological attack.
Now, Chertoff said, the department plans to reach out to school students to carry the preparedness messages home to their parents. Additionally, Homeland Security and the Ad Council launched a newspaper and radio campaign Monday pitched at small businesses to develop disaster plans for workplaces.
Whether the public will listen, however, is another matter.
Even with a week's notice of Hurricane Wilma, many Floridians failed to evacuate areas the storm flooded or to stock up on food, water and other essentials. The cavalier attitude prompted Republican Gov.
Jeb Bush to scold constituents, noting that people who sought relief from Wilma 'had ample time to prepare.'
'It isn't that hard to get 72 hours' worth of food and water,' Bush said last week.
Michael A. Wermuth, homeland security director at the RAND Corp. in Ar"
posted by Dave Bolin at 9:00 AM
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