Culture of preparedness: creating or recreating?

Creating a culture of preparedness is a common topic spoken of by professionals in emergency management. It is true that people need to be prepared for disasters with food, water, medications, emergency plans, etc. In large disasters assistance can take days or more before reaching those that need it. This is why people need to have close to a week's worth of food and water. Backup sheltering and bedding is also a very good idea to have available, i.e. camping gear.

Many of us city dwellers buy food as we need it rather than have stockpiles for a month or so. In historical times people prepared for the winter and even in general by stocking food for months. The preparedness concept is not a new one, rather a historical trend. The buy as we need it practice is the variance from the trend.

People historically networked in one form or another. Neighbors assisted during adverse situations and communities turned out for special events. The culture of preparedness already existed. They earlier generations and settlers knew of the adverse weather patterns and knew they needed provisions to last. This is one best practice that has enabled the human species to survive for thousands of years.