When preparing an emergency plan you must consider the differences and merits to both sheltering-in-place and evacuation. Being prepared for both of these scenarios will greatly increase your chance of survival.
What is SIP?
Shelter-in-place is the concepts of taking refuge were you are to weather an emergency situation. There are several schools of thought on SIP planning depending on what the particular emergency is but the most common definition is contingent on the practice of preparing supplies and fortifying your home so it serves as shelter.
What emergencies call for SIP?
Some emergencies like tornados, pandemics minor hurricanes, severe blizzards, and even certain terrorist attacks could require you to take refuge in your home. The list of emergencies that would require you to take shelter in your home is nearly endless but it is important to remember that if your local government or emergency agency asks that you evacuate your home, DO SO!
Evacuation orders are planned and examined over and over by highly trained and qualified safety professionals and these orders are not given out lightly. It is very hard to stress this enough.
What to consider about SIP
Preparing for SIP scenarios is an extremely important practice and must be taken very seriously. Most emergency aid agencies suggest that you stockpile food, water, and medical supplies to last you at least three or four days; this is to tide you over until emergency crews can get to you.
Preparing your supplies is important but do not bind yourself to the three day suggestion. You will be much better served to prepare at least weeks worth of emergency supplies as some disasters, like Hurricane Katrina, can leave you stranded in your home for several days.
What is EVAC?
When your local government or public safety entity calls for an evacuation of an area, as mentioned before, it is important that you head their call. Evacuating, however, is often even more daunting of a challenge that SIP.
What emergencies call for EVAC
Any emergency that would make your home unsafe for occupancy will call for you to evacuate. The list is nearly endless but a few examples are major hurricanes, flooding, and even gas main leaks. Your local government will advise you on what to do.
What you need consider about EVAC?
You should plan on bringing some emergency supplies with you even if you are headed to a shelter. Emergency shelters are often neglected by city planners and government agencies and the resources available at these facilities can be quickly exhausted by a sudden demand. It is important that you bring some supplies, like food, water, and medicine, to sustain yourself.
You also need to make sure that whatever you bring with you can be easily transported on foot and without anyone's assistance. Many evacuations are directed by the local government and require that people are transported on government vehicles so as to not inundate the roadways with evacuees; being able to bring your supplies on a bus or truck will require a very mobile kit.
Don't forget about your pets when evacuating. Many cities are now taking steps to evacuate pets during an emergency, but not all do and you will most likely not be able to bring your pet with you during an evacuation via public transportation. If you have to leave your pets at home, be sure to leave them in a safe place in your home with enough food and water for several days.
Which is better?
Asking whether SIP or EVAC is a better course of action is really dictated by the situation you are facing. You should prepare for either contingency when preparing your emergency supplies and plan for both as each has its own merits.
You should relay on the wisdom of your local government when deciding which course of action to take during an emergency. The government employs professional public safety specialists that have training and experience that will allow them to make the right choice follow their instructions.
When you are preparing for both EVAC and SIP, it is important to remember that you will never be able to prepare for every emergency and trying to do so is not only inefficient but could prove dangerous. Preparing a basic emergency kit is your best course of action and it may, one day, save your life.
Mark R. Seme studied political science in college, is a veteran of several campaigns, and is a life long student of politics. In 2011 Mark founded the website Saturday Night Politics, a political commentary site that takes the spin out of politics by focusing on pragmatism instead of partisanship.
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