Disasters are devasting, they can often leave people in hopeless situations. Sometimes they can be predicted, and with proper planning and they can be mitigated, but many times terror can strike unexpectedly. Either way, both require professional attention and response to save lives and get people to safety.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is the branch within the United States Homeland Security that deals with disasters across US territories. This agency exists because of US taxpayers and is an excellent resource for grants, support, and training. Learn more here.

Here is FEMA's official mission statement:

"The mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that, as a Nation, we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards." 

In the year 2020 FEMA officially declared 314 disasters, in 2021 there were 120 declared disasters in the USA, and there are 55 declared disasters so far for 2022 (before the hurricane season). Disasters include Fires, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Severe Storms, Landslides, Flooding, Winter Storms, Earthquakes, Explosions, Terrorist Attacks, and even COVID-19 is on their list.

There are so many unique disaster situations, that it is impossible to pull together a "one-size fits all" plan and resources when responding to a disaster. Disasters can be natural (an act of God) like a hurricane, or disasters can be man-made like arson or a terrorist attack. In both scenarios, the highest priority is the safety of the people and their well-being. Disaster management is broken down by professionals into these stages: disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Once the disaster occurs the focus becomes on the Response and Recovery, this is the 2nd phase of disaster management. There are specialized teams that are trained to enter situations and strategically provide care for the victims. We greatly appreciate all of them. From the phone operators, logistical managers, and coordinators, to the rescue teams, first responders, firemen, volunteers, and even post-recovery emotional and spiritual counselors. There is simply no one hero, but an entire ecosystem of help. In this article, we will focus on the items Kemp USA carries to help emergency response teams be adequately equipped when entering disaster response situations. For more in-depth resources on Disaster Response, please look at the links at the bottom of this article.

WATER RESCUE

FIRST AID

PATIENT IMMOBILIZATION

AMPLIFICATION

Rescuers will always need ways to get the attention of victims or even other squad members. Kemp USA has battery-operated megaphones with up to a whopping 600 YD reach, a safety air horn, and a variety of whistles that can assist with getting people's attention in a crucial moment.

SHELTER & PROTECTION

Disaster Response rescuers need to be prepared to provide comfort and relief to the victims of a disaster. Drastic temperature changes, whether it be extreme heat or cold. ANSI Standards now require that first aid kits have a mylar foil blanket enclosed. Mylar is very helpful when trying to moderate the body's heat. Kemp USA has over 1 million of these mylar blankets in stock and ready to ship from our Charlotte, NC facility. We also carry a mylar sleeping bag and a mylar tent which can be used as temporary short-term shelter until a more permanent location is acquired for the victims.

 

For warmth, we recommend this economical gray disaster relief blanket. Kemp USA also carries a great selection of highly efficient wool blankets.

 

In some cases like burning buildings and spot fires, this First Aid Blanket might prove useful. It comes with an 80% wool blanket, which can act as a fire retardant. Read more here.

Great Resources for Disaster Response:

 

 

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