[Morrigoon]

scaeagles: obviously it makes sense to plan for the most likely scenarios, and then have a general sketch of a plan for "unforseen" events, most of which you hope can take place under whatever the circumstances might be.

For example, in one thought I'd come up with elsewhere, I said that every city ought to choose locations, both within the metropolitan area and some on the fringe of it, designated as "disaster centers" Maps to these centers ought to be widely published in the front sections of phone books, just like stadium/arena seating is. Each location should be equipped with 2 generators in different spots (such as one on/near the roof, and one in the basement, etc). Each location should also be equipped with a portable cell antenna, which could be set up and hooked up to the generators to allow communications. Also, each location ought to have wireless internet access ability - so that emergency workers can race in, armed with laptops, and be able to keep communications open.

Every major metropolitan area ought to plan and designate a location for a "citizen volunteer" center. This would be a place that local people can report to in very short time in order to be the "first line" of help before properly trained help (nat'l guard, red cross, etc) can get there. One or two disaster response people should be assigned to the volunteer center to organize them and to communicate with more "official" groups and their leadership. That way, bands of volunteers can be dispatched out to help anywhere they're needed, and quickly. It would also be where people with enough to spare can make donations, which would help tremendously when there is a wait for outside help.

So let's say that a city (like here) expects earthquakes, but instead gets hit with... oh heck, let's say nuclear attack. All the city's disaster response locations are decimated. But you know what? People can go to the next city, look at a phone book at any public phone, and immediately know where to go for help.

It's unreasonable for every single agency of the government to try and make people learn every fact about something like this - but quite reasonable to only expect them to learn where to find the info they need. And phone books are everywhere.