Responder preparedness is the main focus of Mitigation Journal.  As we all know, the better  prepared our civilian population as the more effective our emergency responders will be. In unprepared or uninformed public creates a larger special needs population. 

As we look forward to 2011, Mitigation Journal will begin running a regular segment every Wednesday called Civilian Readiness. These Wednesday postings will be geared towards the general public and are designed to be used as a tool by emergency responders to help keep the public safe.

Our first installment of civilian readiness comes to us from Ready.gov. Today's post is a simple reminder of those items we should be keeping on hand for basic emergency kit.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger