“If you're prepared, you're not freaking out, you're taken care of, and you can help other people.” -Joshua Farrell

Being prepared for disaster is crucial for citizens and communities alike. When emergencies like wildfires or other natural hazards strike, they can overwhelm local response efforts and leave many residents vulnerable in the aftermath. However, with some basic preparation at an individual level, people can significantly improve their resilience and ability to weather crises.

In this two-part podcast series, Jennifer interviews her friend, Josh Farrell, about his experiences with the devastating 2017 wildfires in Sonoma County, California, and how it prompted him to become more prepared for emergencies as a citizen.

In part one, Josh shares his harrowing experience evacuating his elderly mother from the rapidly advancing wildfires. He recounts the chaotic scenes upon returning to find the town without power or resources. This personal encounter was the catalyst for Josh to seriously focus on disaster readiness.

Listen in as Jennifer and Josh talk about the importance of promptly heeding evacuation orders, must-haves in a go-bag, ways to ensure that necessary documents are accessible, how to maintain preparedness, and how even small steps at an individual level can boost community resilience in the face of catastrophe.

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Highlights:

03:34 Fire Evacuation and Preparedness

07:39 The Impact of Wildfire

11:07 Firefighting Efforts

14:52 How to Prep

19:03 Emergency Response Strategies

23:55 What to Have In Your Go Bag

32:51 Other Essentials