Disasters can strike anytime anywhere.

They can affect you, your family, or your entire community.

While disaster can not be avoided, no matter how hard you try, the way they are dealt with can help ease the stress and tension surrounding the situation.

After the events of September 11, 2001, many people have given serious consideration to what they would do if a disaster struck here.

Macon County is fortunate to have an Emergency Disaster Plan in place that can, if necessary, be used. Test runs have been done, using the disaster plan, with the results allowing the local group to decide if what they are doing is effective or if they need to make changes.

Keith Scruggs, the Chief of the Lafayette Fire Department, also serves as the Emergency Management Director for Macon County, and is also a a supporter of making sure that your family is ready for a disaster of any kind.

"In the County , we have to worry about infrastructure of county government ," Chief Scruggs stated. "We use the disaster plan as a guideline in the event of a major disaster in the county. We want to make sure that the citizens in the county are protected."

"On a lower level," Chief Scruggs continued, "each family needs to make sure their home infrastructure can be get through as easy as possible."

"Each home needs to make sure that you have a lot of the things on hand that will be needed in the event of an emergency. Among other things," Chief Scruggs explained, "have bottled water, a means for lights other than electricity, batteries, and radios."

"Make sure your family has a meeting place decided before there is a disaster. Family disasters can be as traumatic to your family as the attack on the Twin Towers were to New York City. A tornado, an earthquake or a fire can be very traumatic for your family."

"Each family needs to have a meeting place where the family gathers in the event of an emergency. By doing this," Chief Scruggs continued, "you can tell immediately if a member of the family is missing ."

"Another good idea," Chief Scruggs explained, " is to have a safe box for valuable papers and for some pictures you want to save. Everything that you don't won't to lose can be put in a small safe . You may not be able to save everything you own but you would at least have something to build on, something to start back on."

One other important thing to mention is that after the plan is developed, practice. The more practice you can do with the plan, the more prepared you may be, if and when, you have to use it in a real case scenario.

At times, being prepared for a disaster BEFORE it strikes is more important than dealing with it while it is happening or after the damage is done.

Many people in this area, know the importance of being prepared, but often don't know exactly what it is they need.

Information provided by the American Red Cross concerning Family Disaster Supplies Kits. In addition to listing the items that would be needed at home in the event of a disaster that confines a family to their residence, the checklist provided also identifies the items that would be most essential in the event of an evacuation. These items will be marked with an asterisk (*) on the checklist that is printed later in this article and the American Red Cross strongly suggests that these items be kept in an easy to carry container. This way, if an evacuation must occur, the container can be grabbed on your way out the door and precious time will not be wasted trying to gather needed items. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.