Issues > September/October 2005 (#110) > Prudent Action Vs. Overreaction: Planning for Disaster

Prudent Action Vs. Overreaction: Planning for Disaster

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Knowledge vs. Flight

While the flight instinct can be very strong, you can first learn what threats might exist nearby (nuclear reactors, chemical plants and the like), and seek regulations to protect your community. For example, the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, only 24 miles outside of New York City, is a potential target with a poor safety record. State EPA offices can provide summaries of worst-case scenarios for facilities in your area, but these will require visits to the office library. Scorecard.org provides the names and locations of companies releasing toxic chemicals in your county.

Further Resources

• FEMA's Guide to Citizen Preparedness, www.fema.gov

• The CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response page, www.bt.cdc.gov

• See the Department of Homeland Security Be Ready webpage for instruction in the event of a national emergency, www.ready.gov

• Locate nuclear reactors and their safety information at NRC's website, www.nrc.gov. For evacuation plans, consult your Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) at www.epa.gov

• To find your state's public health department, go to Association of State and Territorial Health Official's website and click on "State Links": www.astho.org

• For information on chemical emergency preparedness, go to: yosemite.epa.gov

• For Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, see www.bt.cdc.gov/

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