When first confronted with the prospect of a disaster affecting you and your family, there is an initial wave of fear that can be overwhelming. Fear can be debilitating. However, fear can be vanquished with planning and preparation. The more you plan and prepare for something the less scary it will become.
Think about the first play you were in as a child, or the presentation you gave last week. If you have a fear of public speaking, these are daunting situations, but through practice and repetition, you are able to channel that fear into action.
When I was first confronted by the potential of the Cascadia Quake there were several moments of overwhelming fear. After those initial moments passed, I knew that I had to turn that fear into action. That focus turned to planning; making sure that my family would be as safe and prepared as possible. The ultimate outcome of that focus Cascadia Dispatch.
Here are some additional articles that focus on the different aspects of planning and preparation:
