The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-01-08
PREPARATION IN
CASE DISASTERS
IS MADE BY R. c.
instruction Sent to Local Chapter and
Survey Of Resources Taken; Asks
Where Emergency Food Sup
plies Are Located.

plies Are Located.
survey of resources for disaster
relief in each community is advocat'
ed by Red Cross officials in recent
instruction sent members of the Ora
DIV county chapter of the Red Cross
Disaster relief manuals have been
sent to chapters throughout the ma
tion by the Red Cross in an effort TO
emphasize the importance of ad-
vance preparation for disaster
"a survey of resources for disaster
relief within the chapter territory
should be made" says the manual,
"This survey should make clear where
emergency food supplies groceries,
meat. canned goods, bread milk
can be obtained where to turn for
cots mattresses, blankets. clothing
cooking utensils, and stoves. IL
should note buildings, such as armo-
ries. schools, and churches, suitable
for the temporary housing of refugees
II should take account of facilities
for medical care--local hospitals and
those OF adjacent communities, build
ings which in an emergency might
be used for hospitals, ambulances'
drugs sterile dressings, disinfectants,
and anesthetics. Finally the re-
sources in personnel should be can
vassed and registered especially
physicians, nurses, social workers and
Red Cross home service, motor corps
and canteen workers.
'The survey should not stop with
a canvass of merely local resources,
for these may be destroyed or severe
ly crippled by the disaster, but should
include those Of nearby communities.
Another step in preparedness for
disaster watch should be taken is E)
note those places within the chapter
territory where disaster is most like
ly to occur-danger zones, mines,
arsenals, powder mills, munition
plants, sections contiguous to rivers
and liable to damage from flood, and
then to form special plans for mo-
Lilizing and aprNing local relief re-
sources in case OF disaster at any of
these places.
Whatever steps may be nee ,ss"Iv
should be taken to expedite the OPP
GRAFTON of the disaster relief plan in
case of calamity. Definite arrange
ments with wholesale bakers, provi-
sion merchants, and milk dealers to
give precedence to disaster relief
needs could with propriety be made.
Public officials and particularly fire
and police departments, and local tel !
ephone and telegraph offices and
newspapers should be persuaded to
notify. the Red Cross instantly in
case of calamity,
Disasters" the manual continues,
"cost hundreds of lives, injure thou !
sands of persons and damage millions
of dollars worth of property each
year. They create relief problems
which call for prompt, centralized,
and expert handling. If relief is to |
be effective, it must be swift and
centralized After calamaties, local
citizens usually form relief commit.
tees. Considering that they are hur-
riedly formed. usually amid conditions
CT confusion, shock and great mental
stress, it is not surprising that very
commonly the activities of such COM
lnittees are not productive of the
most expeditions and constructive re-
suits. Serious confusion of effort and
Ic5s of time are always caused if
here is a failure to coordinate and