Why your friends and neighbors matter in a disaster
QUOTE: 'Aldrich's findings show that ambulances and firetrucks and government aid are not the principal ways most people survive during — and recover after — a disaster. His data suggest that while official help is useful — in clearing the water and getting the power back on in a place such as New Orleans after Katrina, for example — government interventions cannot bring neighborhoods back, and most emergency responders take far too long to get to the scene of a disaster to save many lives. Rather, it is the personal ties among members of a community that determine survival during a disaster, and recovery in its aftermath.
When Aldrich visited villages in India hit by the giant 2004 tsunami, he found that villagers who fared best after the disaster weren't those with the most money, or the most power. They were people who knew lots of other people — the most socially connected individuals. In other words, if you want to predict who will do well after a disaster, you look for faces that keep showing up at all the weddings and funerals.'
I'm planning a podcast on this very topic in the near future, so it is ironic that I came across a link to this article at Survivalblog.com. I've long felt that the "Lone Wolf" approach isn't very doable for most people and that the idea of grouping together in small communities makes the most sense. So.... Stop for a moment, think about anyone and everyone you know who might be a resource in a disaster (short-term or long-term) and don't worry if you don't think they're "into prepping" currently. Peoples' minds are changing about disaster readiness these days and you just might be surprised by some of the people in your life (I know I have been).
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