According to Extension Disaster Education Network”, (EDEN), part of the process in being “Prepared for the Unexpected” is to get informed by educating ourselves about just what types of disasters can occur in our area.
It is important to know that disasters can be a result of natural hazards, accidents, or terrorism.
In Texas we can be subjected to natural hazards such drought, fire, floods, hurricanes (directly and indirectly), ice storms, tornadoes, and disease epidemics such as Swine Flu.
Other disasters can be caused by accidents such as explosions equipment failure, hazardous material incidents, household chemical emergencies, and nuclear power plant emergencies.
Terrorism poses yet another type of disaster we should educate ourselves about. According to the Department of Homeland Security, acts of terrorism include assassinations, bombings, cyber attacks, hijackings, kidnappings, threats of terrorism and the use of biological nuclear and radiological weapons. No Community is immune from these types of attacks.
Please note the following contact information for resourceful assistance here in Texas:
Emergencies: 911 (www.911.state.tx.us);
Non-emergency: 211 (www.211.org);
TX Poison Control: (800) 222-1222;
TX Dept. of State Health Services: www.dshs.state.tx.us/comprep
To get more information about “Preparing for the Unexpected”, please visit our website(s):
Texashelp.tamu.edu;
http://dallas-tx.tamu.edu;
http://pvcep.pvamu.edu;or contact Marvin R. Young to schedule a presentation at 214-904-3050