Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - PIP...More Than a Fish Hiccup Jan 9, 2014

(In Case of Emergency)

So, I know you're DYING to hear this week's tip :) - so let's get started!

I was chatting with sister Susan last night and she told me that when she lived in California, they learned from two fires that ripped through their area a few years apart. She said in one ward they had a plan in place BEFORE the FHTF (Fire Hit the Fan), in another ward, they didn't have a plan. The difference between the two experiences was HUMUNGO! 

With a PIP (Plan In Place), it was much easier to find people and make sure they were safe. Without a plan, it was mass chaos and it was much more stressful.

Do you have a PIP for your family?

This reminds me of a few years ago when some of my family in southern Arizona were hit with raging fires. My mother-in-law was responsible to make sure the women in the ward were accounted for. Do you know what made her task so much easier?....wait for it...visiting teachers.

Here are some things she learned:

• Communication is vital! What would be your plan B if cell phones didn't work?
• Priorities can change in an instant...
• More batteries !
• Make sure the 72 hour kit has a radio (not a cheapy $5 radio either)!
• Make sure you check to make sure the radio works frequently! If it doesn't work when you need it, it has no value.
• What a relief when others are prepared and ready to help others!
• When families don't take evacuation and threat of fire (or other emergencies) seriously, and you pack like you're going to Grandma's house, what happens when all that is left is the foundation when you return?
• Have a plan to stay with someone out of town if possible, you do not want to be evacuated twice...or three times.
• Hotels fill up quick with a huge influx of people...
• LISTEN TO THE HOLY GHOST!
• If you need to leave your home, don't forget your medications or animals, because you may not be allowed back home for a while.
• If there is no electricity, how can water be pumped from the well?
• Media/ community communication isn't so hot...you can get the same information for days... - get licensed in HAM radio.
• Visiting Teachers and Home Teachers are a heaven send! Return and report is AWESOME!
• Watching the gospel in action is a huge blessing and a miracle!

On her way out the door when they  evacuated, her priorities changed a little bit. She said, "Suddenly what was important changed." They took their 72 hour kits, genealogy, the computer hard drive, both of their fathers WWII flags encased in wooden triangles, and some cross stitched things she had made for her sons when they got their Eagle. That was about it. 

I STRONGLY encourage you to get together with your family for a Family Home Evening, talk about what you would do or where you would go  in case of emergency. Put together a PIP, then when a POP and POW might happen your way, you know what to do. Also...one last plug...do you know who your visiting/ home  teachers are? If we do our visiting teaching, we can make sure we are all accounted for in record time in case the need arises.