EMERGENCY ACTION PLANNING > Blog > Disaster Stress > Preparation VS Panic
Preparation VS Panic
Fear is a vital response to physical and emotional danger—if we didn’t feel it, we couldn’t protect ourselves from legitimate threats. But often we fear situations that are far from life-or-death, and thus hang back for no good reason. Traumas or bad experiences can trigger a fear response within us that is hard to quell. Yet exposing ourselves to our personal demons is the best way to move past them.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/fear
Panic Button: Copyright: designsoliman / 123RF Stock Photo
Panic Causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily access the situation and see the options. -Simon Sinek-
Disaster and Emergencies will affect hundreds of thousands of people every year. Disasters will disrupt both people and property for possibly years to come.
As discussed in earlier posts, government and relief organizations will try to assist you, but you do need to be prepared to be on your own. Local First responders may not be able to get to you or they may have their focus elsewhere. (FEMA, 2004)
You do need to be prepared to act
Having a plan can reduce fear, panic, anxiety and loss. I am certain that you have heard of the term Fight or Flight. There is one more that is seldom mentioned, Freeze. Fight, Flight or Freeze. From experience I can say that each one of them when used appropriately can be a life saver and a game changer. If used at the wrong time or place they can become deadly.
Developing an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) will help relieve the three F’s.
During my tenure with the military we had a training maxim. Train the way you fight.
When you’re developing your Emergency Action Plan be realistic about your goals and how you will accomplish them. Through clear communication and realistic practice you will become capable and accomplished for the activation of your EAP.
One thing to keep in mind though, is that if you plan and prepare halfheartedly, and without conviction. You will react the same way. It’s a formula for disaster.
If you plan with clear goals and conviction. You will react the same way.
Once the trigger is pulled you will not have the luxury of thinking through the process. Responding the way you have properly planned for will usually pull your team through the situation. You will not panic.
Keep in mind that no plan is perfect. If you’re trying to make the perfect plan. Stop now. Having a plan, any plan is better that having none. If you have planned, and your plan is not working, you will have your alternative Course of Action (COA) to fall back on.
“Planning is a process of choosing among those many options. If we do not choose to plan, then we choose to have others plan for us.” Richard I. Winwood
So how do we avoid Panic? We Plan.
Till next time
“Be Safe”