“Are You Prepared?”
Tuesday September 5th, 2023
From the messy desk of Amanda Eichstaedt…
Take Control in 1, 2, 3
The theme for 2023 Preparedness Month is “Take Control in 1, 2 3.” The campaign is meant to focus on preparing older adults for disasters, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by the all-hazard events, which continue to threaten our nation.
I commend the folks that cooked up this theme, rather than it being a blanket “Everyone Get Ready” theme since we have seen, not only with disasters, but with the pandemic, that seniors were disproportionally effected. In Marin County, 27% of residents are over 60 years old. The County expects that by 2030 34% are expected to be over 60 years old. This is a pretty big shift, and I resemble that statement.
As Bette Davis said, “Old age is not for Sissies.” I’m not intending to bully anyone with this statement, and every aging experience is different. “Time and tide wait for no man.” This quote is attributed to Chaucer, and it was written a long time ago. I’m interpreting this to intend to represent all members of the human race, regardless of age, sex or orientation. As time goes by, we all age. As we age it is important to adjust our expectations of how fast we can get someplace, and to really, really understand our support networks. I would go so far to say that someone who has not confronted the reality that a “go bag” is a real thing, might be considered a sissy.
I will admit that my “Go Bag” could be better. How is yours?
The 1, 2 & 3 in the campaign represent the following.
- Assess your needs
- Make a plan
- Engage your support network to stay safe when a disaster strikes
A key thing to understand is that, depending on the magnitude of the disaster, first responders may not get to every resident immediately. Rural areas are especially susceptible to this scenario. If you have gone through CERT training or have engaged with your local Disaster Council in any meaningful way, you know this.
We in West Marin have an amazing network of first responders between Marin County Fire, the local Volunteer Fire Departments, Marin Sheriff, National and State Park Rangers, and the California Highway Patrol. They do an excellent job of attending to singular, and even a handful of calls for medical or other emergencies. My hat is off to them.
But if the “big one” hits, we are in a different scenario, and that is what we should be ready for. Are we? Do you have a plan? I urge you to peruse Ready Marin and take advantage of the worksheets, checklists and advice that they lay out. And don’t forget about your pets or other animals.
If you have not done so, engage with your local disaster council. Talk to your neighbors, and engage with folks who are not here full time, if you can, and encourage them to be ready for a disaster when they are here in West Marin. Imagine the scenario where first responders cannot come to your specific rescue because they have too many things going on or can’t get to you for some reason.
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And it’s a wrap on Inverness Shakespeare this year. Five performances to sold out crowds at St. Columba’s. Huge kudos to our Director/Producer, and also KWMR Board Member, Sharron Drake. Richard Jennings really got the music composition right for this funny and action packed interpretation of “A Comedy of Errors.” Big thanks to the folks from St. Columba’s for their gracious hosting of the performance at the Amphitheater, and for handling concessions and the gate.
Back Row L-R: Ehren Epstein, Amanda Eichstaedt, Real Seamus Tomkins, Cardboard Seamus Tomkins, Leon Goertzen*, Allison Strahan*, Camilla Ford, Cardboard Matt Gallagher, Real Matt Gallagher, Kirsten Propper, Gene Ptak, Pamela Putch*. Richard Jennings, Ken Fox Front Row L-R: Maryclare McCauley, Geoff Hoyle*, Muniera Kadrie, Sharron Drake*, Jim Griffiths
Big props to everyone who designed, painted, built, mowed, hacked trails, sewed costumes, made or bought cookies and chocolate for back stage, gave encouragement, laughed with, or at the antics on stage, and to all my fellow actors. I have been told that I took to the role of a peevish police officer with a bit too much panache.
Amanda Eichstaedt
Station Manager/Executive Director
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association