Rapidly, an unknown disease wreaks havoc across the globe. It changes people into something entirely unrecognizable. There is no cure. There is no stopping it. People are stunned and unsure about their next move. As supplies run short, crippled governments begin to fail. The zombie apocalypse is here. Are you prepared?
It’s Zombie Preparedness Month in the state of Kansas. Gov. Sam Brownback made it official by proclamation last week. This isn’t the first time a government entity has spoken out about the science fiction threat. Both the Pentagon and Centers for Disease Control have developed plans in case of a zombie outbreak. However, the idea behind the month is to create a more lighthearted and engaging way for Kansans to prepare for emergencies, such as tornadoes, flash floods, earthquakes and winter storms.
“If you’re prepared for zombies, really you’re ready for anything,” said Devan Tucking, human services officer for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.
Tucking said the state has a comprehensive preparedness plan that identifies 22 natural and man-made hazards that could possibly occur in Kansas, but a zombie apocalypse is not one of them. Through the state’s preparedness website, www.ksready.gov, Tucking and other officials inform citizens how they can best prepare for these situations. Each month, Tucking said the division issues a new challenge to help citizens prepare for the unforeseen. They also do a drawing and hand out prizes to those who send in photos of themselves meeting the challenge.
Some of the most basic things Tucking recommends people collect when prepping include enough food and water for a 72-hour period, flashlights, batteries, an NOAA weather radio and a basic first-aid kit.
Overall, Kansans are fairly prepared for most situations, Tucking said, especially in rural parts of the state, but she believes there is room for improvement. The zombies, she said, work as a catalyst to better reach more people and engage them in more depth about preparing for disasters and emergencies. For the past four years, the division has used them as a conversation starter at its booth during the Kansas State Fair.
“People want to talk about zombies,” she said. “They want to have a good time.”
Last month was national preparedness month, Tucking said. Zombie Preparedness Month allows the state to continue the conversation about preparedness in a way that seems more fun and less preachy. Todd Strain, a specialist with Reno County Emergency Management, said when preparing for unknown disasters that planning is key, something he believes everyone should take time to do. His office regularly trains for all types of hazards.
Strain said it’s also important for officials to help the community as a whole prepare. A way his department does so is through CERT, Community Emergency Response Team, a county-sponsored group of volunteers who train to aid officials during emergencies.
Reno County CERT meets on the second Thursday of every month and has more than 30 members on its roster. CERT is free to join and open to the public. Strain said CERT’s main emphasis is on search and rescue, but it trains for other various responses, including fire safety, disaster psychology and basic triage.
Tresny Janzen, a CERT member, said she enjoys being able to support local response agencies, but hopes she never actually has to use her training. Janzen said the CERT team is usually called into action about 10 times a year. She said the training she has received from participating in CERT exercises is invaluable.
“Seeing someone smile after you’ve been able to help them is what makes it worth it,” she said.
©2014 The Hutchinson News (Hutchinson, Kan.). Distributed by MCT Information Services.
