TheFluMaster
Resident
Kingman prepares for potential pandemic
Aaron Royster
Miner Staff Writer
KINGMAN - A mother can't kiss her daughter goodnight. A husband cannot shake hands with his neighbors. Everyone is wearing gauze masks. There is no food on the grocery shelves. Medicine and water are running short.
This isn't a preview of the latest sci-fi movie to hit the big screen. This could be Kingman today, next month or next year.
With what many deem a changed environment in the world, city departments have spent the last few months updating Kingman's 2003 pandemic preparation plan. A workable version of the emergency operation plan should be ready within a month, Kingman Fire Battalion Chief Bill Johnston said.
"They (the departments) recognize the urgency because something could happen, and we have to have a plan," he said.
In the meantime, city departments are reaching out to the community to make sure they're aware and ready for the worst-case scenario.
"We want to prepare the population," Johnston said. "This is reality. This is serious. This can't be ignored."
Johnston said letters have been sent out to faith-based organizations and civic groups in the city in an effort to get the word out about emergency preparation.
Johnston added that they have been targeted because of the large percentage of the city's population that is involved with them.
By utilizing the faith-based organizations and civic groups, it gives city officials a measurable percentage of the citizens who should be prepared in the event of a pandemic or worse.
It also helps lighten the potential strain on city resources.
"The burden of this responsibility falls on the citizens," Johnston said. "They have to be prepared."
Johnston credited the city for handling crises well in the past by banding together and volunteering. He said he felt Kingman would be on its own in the event of a pandemic emergency that reaches regionwide, statewide and national levels.
"The government is not an end-all solution to problems," Johnston said. "There's only so much we can do in that situation."
Johnston said he's not trying to be a doomsday spokesman but pointed out that a pandemic crisis hit the state before.
One-tenth of the state's population died from the 1918 flu pandemic, also known as the Spanish flu.
The category 5 influenza pandemic lasted for two years and killed between 50 million to 100 million people worldwide in 18 months.
"Hopefully, it'll never happen," Johnston said. "But, unfortunately, history repeats itself."
Johnston admitted that no matter how much planning the city does, it will be less ineffective if the community isn't ready for it.
"The reality in the world that we are living in is we have to be prepared," Johnston said. "Hope is not a strategy. Preparedness is."
What you can do:
Prepare an emergency kit with at least three-days worth of:
? Food for each person (non-perishable, no cooking needed).
? One gallon of water per person per day.
? Infant formula if you have a baby.
? Change of clothing for each person.
? Blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
? First-aid kit.
? Hygiene items.
? Battery-operated radio.
? Flashlight.
? Batteries.
? Small tools.
? Duct tape, plastic sheeting and scissors.
? Fire extinguisher.
? Copies of important documents in a waterproof container.
? Medications.
? A list of medical conditions, prescriptions and allergies for all household members.
? Supplies and equipment for household members with special needs.
? Pet supplies.
Source: Mohave County Department of Public Health
http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=18&ArticleID=12107
Aaron Royster
Miner Staff Writer
KINGMAN - A mother can't kiss her daughter goodnight. A husband cannot shake hands with his neighbors. Everyone is wearing gauze masks. There is no food on the grocery shelves. Medicine and water are running short.
This isn't a preview of the latest sci-fi movie to hit the big screen. This could be Kingman today, next month or next year.
With what many deem a changed environment in the world, city departments have spent the last few months updating Kingman's 2003 pandemic preparation plan. A workable version of the emergency operation plan should be ready within a month, Kingman Fire Battalion Chief Bill Johnston said.
"They (the departments) recognize the urgency because something could happen, and we have to have a plan," he said.
In the meantime, city departments are reaching out to the community to make sure they're aware and ready for the worst-case scenario.
"We want to prepare the population," Johnston said. "This is reality. This is serious. This can't be ignored."
Johnston said letters have been sent out to faith-based organizations and civic groups in the city in an effort to get the word out about emergency preparation.
Johnston added that they have been targeted because of the large percentage of the city's population that is involved with them.
By utilizing the faith-based organizations and civic groups, it gives city officials a measurable percentage of the citizens who should be prepared in the event of a pandemic or worse.
It also helps lighten the potential strain on city resources.
"The burden of this responsibility falls on the citizens," Johnston said. "They have to be prepared."
Johnston credited the city for handling crises well in the past by banding together and volunteering. He said he felt Kingman would be on its own in the event of a pandemic emergency that reaches regionwide, statewide and national levels.
"The government is not an end-all solution to problems," Johnston said. "There's only so much we can do in that situation."
Johnston said he's not trying to be a doomsday spokesman but pointed out that a pandemic crisis hit the state before.
One-tenth of the state's population died from the 1918 flu pandemic, also known as the Spanish flu.
The category 5 influenza pandemic lasted for two years and killed between 50 million to 100 million people worldwide in 18 months.
"Hopefully, it'll never happen," Johnston said. "But, unfortunately, history repeats itself."
Johnston admitted that no matter how much planning the city does, it will be less ineffective if the community isn't ready for it.
"The reality in the world that we are living in is we have to be prepared," Johnston said. "Hope is not a strategy. Preparedness is."
What you can do:
Prepare an emergency kit with at least three-days worth of:
? Food for each person (non-perishable, no cooking needed).
? One gallon of water per person per day.
? Infant formula if you have a baby.
? Change of clothing for each person.
? Blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
? First-aid kit.
? Hygiene items.
? Battery-operated radio.
? Flashlight.
? Batteries.
? Small tools.
? Duct tape, plastic sheeting and scissors.
? Fire extinguisher.
? Copies of important documents in a waterproof container.
? Medications.
? A list of medical conditions, prescriptions and allergies for all household members.
? Supplies and equipment for household members with special needs.
? Pet supplies.
Source: Mohave County Department of Public Health
http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=18&ArticleID=12107