Every time I hear of a natural disaster like yesterday's earthquake in Japan, I think to myself, I should have emergency plan.
I've gone so far as to research what the experts suggest: most recommend plenty of water, canned foods with a long shelf-life, some emergency tools and fuel, and a wad of cash. FEMA even makes suggestions for emergency kits and situation-specific planning. It all seems like a very good idea.
But for me, researching is as far as I've taken it. Other than a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and what's in my cupboards, I'm pretty unprepared.
Sure, it's a good idea to build a small stockpile of this important stuff, but as Milwaukee was somewhat recently named as one of the lowest ranking cities in America for likliehood of natural disasters, so I've been somewhat lax. Maybe this earthquake will spur me into action ... but probably not.
Am I alone? Have you hoarded beef jerky and waterproof matches for some unthinkable event? Or are you, too, playing the odds and hoping for the best? Let me know using the Talkback feature below.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
