Calls for More Business Continuity Planning After Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Whenever a major disaster occurs, calls for better planning usually follow as we are now seeing after the earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. And, what so often happens, one disaster gives way to or creates another as with the nuclear plant issues following the natural disaster. 

There is a lot we can learn from Japan as one of the best prepared nations in the world when it comes to preparedness and planning for natural catastrophe. The first of which should be no matter how well you plan or prepare ahead of time, something unexpected or catastrophic can still occur, and the need to be flexible in your planning and using your contingency plan as a tool box as opposed to a rigid set of ordered procedures that should be followed is extremely important.

One of the unfortunate things that happen over time especially in the business world is that this type of planning quickly becomes un-important. Even more so during tough economic times as the recent global financial troubles, contingency planning was one of the first things to go.

While I appreciate the calls for better preparedness and I do agree with those calls, proper planning must consist of a continually ongoing process. Planning itself is a process and not a product or something you can do once and put it on a shelf.

Here are just some of the links to recent stories calling for better planning, preparedness and disaster recovery.

Do You Have a Disaster Recovery or Emergency Plan?

Need for Business Continuity Plans

Emergency Planning Crucial in Disaster Recovery

One last thing, while planning is great, it is still not enough. Make sure you incorporate tabletop or other exercises to test and run through your plan and look for gaps and opportunities for improvement.  



Statement from California’s Department of Public Health and Emergency Management Agency on Risk of Radiation Exposure

*The following news release was issued by Cal EMA on Tuesday, March 15, 2011.*

SACRAMENTO – Today the interim director of the California Department of Public Health, Dr. Howard Backer, and acting secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency, Mike Dayton, issued the following statement emphasizing Californians’ safety from radiation exposure and the risks of taking potassium iodide as a precautionary measure.

“The safety of all Californians is our highest priority, and we are in constant contact with the federal agencies responsible for monitoring radiation levels across the West Coast.

We want to emphasize that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have all stated that there is no risk expected to California or its residents as a result of the situation in Japan.

We are actively monitoring the situation in Japan and are ready to take all steps necessary to protect Californians should risks develop.

We urge Californians to not take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure. It is not necessary given the current circumstances in Japan, it can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems, and taken inappropriately it can have serious side effects including abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

Our thoughts are with the people of Japan at this tragic time.”

Californians with questions about radiation exposure can contact the California Department of Public Health’s Emergency Operations information line at 916 341-3947.

For updated information on monitoring, response and relief efforts in California and Japan, please visit the California Emergency Management Agency website at www.calema.ca.gov.

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For more you can go to our recent Disaster Preparedness Blog post on:

What You Need To Know About Potassium Iodide or KI

What You Need To Know About Potassium Iodide or KI

The news is reporting on people buying up Potassium Iodide also known as KI in droves and that suppliers have run out and are scrambling to make more. One supplier has also donated a large supply to Japan.

I also know several preparedness retailers who have also run out and have a large number of orders being placed that they can't currently fill. The two things that worry me about this is first, the people who may need them may not get them since the supply is short (though governments do have stock piles of them) and the second is the potential for people who should not be taking KI to have adverse side effects.

Some facts you should know about KI:

• KI only protects the thyroid gland from radioactive iodide
• KI does NOT protect the thyroid from other types of radiation
• KI does NOT protect other parts of the body internally or externally from radioactivity or harm
• KI has the potential to damage or cause swelling to the parotid glands (they produce your saliva)

Other side effects include: acne, loss of appetite, or upset stomach. More severe side effects which require notification of a physician are: fever, weakness, unusual tiredness, swelling in the neck or throat, mouth sores, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, irregular heartbeat, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, or a metallic taste in the mouth.

Severe allergic reactions from taking KI are possible especially if you have certain food allergies.

People who should avoid KI:

• You know you are allergic to Iodine
• Certain skin disorders such as dermatitis herpetiformis or urticaria vasculitis
• People with thyroid disease (for example, multinodular goiter, Graves’ disease, or autoimmune thyroiditis)

Lastly KI is considered a possible teratogen (meaning birth defects or developmental issues in young people).

To Be More Self-Sufficient and Frugal Learn To Cook Like They Did In the Great Depression

Recently I was poking around the internet for some good recipes that would be good in a survival situation or any situation in which you have to make due with a limited amount of food.

This search lead me to a youtube channel called Depression Cooking in which Clara, a 94 year old woman from Chicago prepares recipes from the great depression that her mother made.

The video that I happened to come across first was for Depression Breakfast which I have included below.

Clara, also has her own website called Great Depression Cooking with Clara where you can find out more about her and even purchase her DVD.

My grandparents lived through the great depression and I learned quite a lot from them, but they are no longer around.  I think that what Clara is doing is great, and we can learn a lot from people like her.

I plan on trying some of her recipes, I hope you will too.

Disaster Preparedness Blog Now Has A Discussion Board

I've added a new discussion board section to the site. Take some time to add and respond to topics that are related to preparedness, business continuity, disaster preparedness, or survival.