Facing the Unthinkable: How One Evening Made Me More Prepared for Disaster

On the evening of September 11th, inside the quiet Tannersville Library in the Catskills, I sat among neighbors surrounded by shelves of novels while we talked about what insurance companies call “Acts of God” and how to survive them. Disaster seemed like an appropriate topic for this somber anniversary.

The occasion was a Citizen Preparedness Corps Training, part of a statewide effort to teach New Yorkers how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. The program is run by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and delivered by members of the National Guard (upcoming sessions through Nov. 13th).

Our instructors, CPT Kyle Kilner and MSgt Jennifer Caoili, were quite cheerful as they explained how to deal with all manner of horrifying situations, like floods, fires, and even tornadoes. Disasters were not abstract to them: they have often been deployed to scenes of devastation, helping citizens in dire need. Their underlying message was, “Hope for the best, but plan for the worst,” a message that resonated with the attendees, who had endured either Hurricane Irene in 2011, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, or in some cases, both.

The Four Pillars of Preparedness

Our presenters walked us through four essential steps, printed in the state-issued Emergency Information Handbook we all received:

1. Develop an Emergency Plan

   Decide in advance how your family will communicate, reunite, and make decisions when phones are down and roads are blocked.

   
   

2. Build an Emergency Survival Kit

   Every household member (and pet) should have a personalized “go-bag” with food, water, medications, and supplies to last 7–10 days.

   
   

3. Be Aware

   Sign up for NY-Alert for free emergency notifications. Follow local news, know evacuation routes, and understand the hazards where you live.

   
   

4. Get Involved

   Learn what volunteer resources exist locally, whether fire departments, EMS, CERT teams, Red Cross chapters, and consider getting trained yourself.

The Go-Bag: Just the Beginning

At the end of the session, each attendee received a complimentary Emergency Survival Kit backpack. It contained three categories of basics: Sustainment, Hygiene, and Tools, including:

• Work gloves

• Collapsible 10-liter water container

• Basic first aid kit

• Pocket radio (with AAA batteries)

• Goggles, N95 mask, whistle

• Mylar rescue blanket

• Duct tape, plastic drop cloth

• Safety light stick

• Flashlight (with D batteries)

  
  

It's a basic kit. CPT Kilner encouraged us to personalize it. “Think about what you actually need to survive for a week.” That could mean prescription medications, extra eyeglasses, spare phone chargers, pet food, or cash. (Alas, cash was not included in the complimentary Go Bag.)

Right away, I saw ways to customize mine. The pack’s flashlight contained four D-batteries that were crazy heavy, so I decided to substitute a super-light, insanely bright LED flashlight. I considered editing out the plastic drop cloth, until I learned it can serve multiple functions as a rainwater collector, a makeshift shelter, an insulating ground sheet or even a blanket.

Knowing Your Local Hazards

Preparedness depends on geography. Our group identified three main threats that might affect us in the Catskill Mountains: power outages, flash floods, and wildfires.

The issue of winter driving also came up. A single snowstorm can trap people in cars for hours or days. We discussed what could be included in a car emergency kit: snow shovel, blankets, snacks, a seatbelt cutter/window-breaker tool, and a habit of checking that your tailpipe is clear before running the engine. Otherwise, while trying to stay warm, you could die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

One useful tip: If your car is submerging, unlock your seatbelt, lower the windows and get out immediately. But if you must break a window to escape a submerged car, aim for the corners of the side windows, not the reinforced windshield or back glass.

Staying Put vs. Getting Out

Although the focus was on evacuation (“grab the go-bag and go”), the instructors stressed that emergencies can also require sheltering at home. One presenter described buying extras during routine grocery trips and placing new items behind older ones on the shelf to keep the stockpile fresh.

They also advised gathering crucial documents (like insurance, IDs and birth certificates) and keeping digital copies on a secure flash drive in your kit.

Bring Your Pets

If you must evacuate, don’t count on leaving animals at a shelter. Items to have ready include:

• Pet food and water

• Extra leash/collar and carrier

• Vaccination and vet records

• Medications

• A small toy or blanket for comfort

• A portable cat box for car travel

  
  

The Psychology of Preparedness

What struck me most was the importance of mindset. Disasters always seem remote until they aren’t. Studies show that most Americans don’t prepare because they assume help will arrive quickly, or they simply don’t want to think about frightening possibilities.

But as our instructors reminded us, emergency services may be delayed for days during a large-scale disaster. Preparedness isn’t paranoia; it’s a form of self-reliance that gives first responders room to do their jobs.

Quick Checklist: 10 Emergency Essentials

Start here, then customize for your family’s needs.

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)

• Nonperishable food (7–10 days)

• First aid kit

• Flashlight (hand-crank preferred)

• Battery/solar phone charger

• Medications and spare eyeglasses

• Multipurpose tool and duct tape

• Warm clothing, sturdy shoes, gloves

• Copies of vital documents and cash

• Pet supplies (if applicable)

  
  

Preparedness as an Ongoing Practice

As I left the library that night, survival backpack in hand, instead of feeling dread from all the calamities we had discussed, I had a sense of agency. The Citizen Preparedness Corps session was just the start. True readiness requires revisiting your plan, updating supplies, and treating preparedness as a living part of family life. And maybe that’s the most useful lesson: when you’re prepared, even the unthinkable becomes manageable