Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Two severe hurricanes hitting within a month of each other. Striking within miles of each other. People we know, people we’ve never met–their lives are changed forever. Their stories have touched us and made us cry. They’ve made us want to do something! And even if you’ve given until your budget is stretched thin, offered to house or adopt animals, sent supplies, and prayed, you still feel like it’s not enough. It wasn’t until after reading an article by Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, and Janice Baker, DVM, on “Disaster Response–Top 10 Ways to Make a Real Impact” (see www.TheHorse.com/emag.aspx?ID=6214) that it was brought home that there are still jobs left to do, right here at home. My house used to have an emergency kit, complete with flashlight, extra batteries, weather radio, water, food, and a first-aid kit. My barn’s first aid kit used to be fully stocked, and halters used to be strategically hung for quick access. It’s not like we didn’t have a tornado sit down almost on top of our farm last year. Or lived through an ice storm that shut off our electricity for a week and froze our pipes. Or have a wind storm that took out power (and a few trees). But what did those lessons teach me? Apparently not enough.

Gimenez and Baker covered the following 10 points in their article to teach us–veterinarians and horse owners–to make a better personal impact in the future on disaster response:

1. Understand the big picture.
   
2. Prepare and educate yourself first.
   
3. Don’t add to the problem.
   
4. Rethink the term “hero.”
   
5. Be a good leader, be a great follower.
   
6. Soul search your motives.
   
7. Build on your skills and interests.
   
8. Plug yourself into the existing plan.
   
9. Understand your limitations.
   
10. Start with your own community.

It’s #2 that should be emphasized by each of us on our farms and in our own homes