Seacoastonline’s Observer Article: Are You Prepared For The Next Big Storm?
SCS Maine was featured last week in Seacoastonline’s Observer Article: Are You Prepared For The Next Big Storm? thanks to the efforts of Rev. Pam Brouker who has been working in the York area on behalf of SCS Maine and StrengthenME’s Storm Response Initiative.
Are you prepared for the next big storm?
By Ron McAllister
The Observer
Several damaging storms struck parts of Maine last winter. There was a major windstorm in December 2023, two snowstorms in January, and a nor’easter this past April. Each of these events resulted in damage to property and widespread power outages. Having no power in Maine in winter is more than an inconvenience. It can be life-threatening.
It is safe to assume that the next twelve months will present us with our fair share of weather emergencies. There will be flooding, property damage, and power losses somewhere in Maine. For older adults, such events can trigger serious crises.
There are a couple of different ways to look at emergencies, such as the ones created by winter storms.
The first is retrospective. Once an emergency has happened, the job at hand mostly involves recovery, response and repair, though some effects can be long-lasting. It is important to be ready to respond to emergencies and to address the aftermath. First responders, including firefighters, police, and emergency service workers are the front line for this work.
The other way of looking at emergencies is anticipatory. This involves prevention; being ready for whatever may happen. Once the storms — the literal ones and the figurative storms of life — have passed, the best thing you can do is to prepare for the next one. “Be prepared.” It’s not just a motto for Scouts. It’s a good motto for everybody.
I spoke last week with local experts about what effective emergency preparedness looks like. Michelle Surdoval and Amber Harrison of the York Community Service Association (YSCA) have been “preparing to be prepared” since last year. They know that some emergencies can be anticipated and that if you are ready, the damage and dislocation, the stress and anxiety resulting from them can be managed.
Twice this month, YCSA will be hosting informative sessions on “Emergency Preparedness for Aging Adults.” These sessions at the York Public Library (January 13 at 10 a.m. and January 29 at 1 p.m.) will cover: 1) how to prepare for disasters and emergencies, 2) how to stay informed, and 3) when and how to seek shelter.
In addition, representatives from Maine’s DHHS will review the resources available for handling the stresses that are common in natural as well as manmade disasters. They will be talking about ways to strengthen personal and community resiliency in the face of different types of emergencies.
Emergency go-bags will be distributed to attendees. These bags contain items such as crank radios, water purification tablets, emergency blankets, chargers, batteries, can openers, flashlights, whistles and personal hygiene kits. These are the kind of supplies every household should have handy to prepare themselves for emergencies. Registration is limited. Go to www.yorkpubliclibrary.org to register.
Additionally, YCSA will distribute a list of emergency resources, information on post-storm responses, and details about resiliency programs available in the area. The sessions will involve “asset mapping” to help identify features of the community that can help individuals successfully age in place.
This program is being funded by a mini-grant YCSA received from the Community Connector program at the University of Maine's Center on Aging. Community Connector is an initiative of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging. Thus, the program’s focus is on older adults and their preparedness.
All attendees also will receive a file-of-life magnet designed to contain emergency information (e.g., medications, pre-existing conditions, etc.). These are meant to be displayed on a household’s refrigerator where first responders know to look for them.
This program reveals a hallmark of YCSA’s evolving approach to community service: its partnerships with other local agencies. The Emergency Preparedness seminars will feature speakers from town government (Nicole Pestana, York’s Emergency Management Specialist), State government (Kelly Roberts of Maine Health and StrengthenME), and local community leadership (Rev. Pamela Brouker of Spiritual Care Services of Maine). StrengthenME has particularly helpful information for individuals, families, and communities impacted by disasters anywhere in Maine. See https://strengthenme.com for details.
The range of disciplines and competencies that are showcased in this program hints at the breadth of services required for effective emergency management. Emergencies can present an array of challenges to individuals and communities. Some are physical and personal, while others are social and even spiritual.
You may not be able to prevent every emergency from happening, but you can be prepared for them. Being prepared, you can reduce some of the destructive impacts that occur as a consequence. Are you prepared?
Ron McAllister is a sociologist and writer who lives in York.