Family Disaster Preparedness & Terrorism Awareness

This DVD is designed to “lessen your dependence on first responders and government services,” enabling viewers to “remain self-sufficient” in the face of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, blizzards, and more (the program dates from 2004, before the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunamis, or doubtless those would have made the list). Beginning with the recommendation to conduct a “threat analysis” of your home, your commute, and your workplace, the narrator offers suggestions for creating a family disaster plan. Viewers are advised to stockpile three days' worth of rations at home and work and in the car—along with a complete change of clothes for everyone in the family, medications, copies of important papers, and a spare set of keys (which means that if a thief steals your car, he obtains access to your home, your bank account, your Social Security number, and your Prozac, which you will be needing afterwards). The program also covers strategies for maintaining communication between family members in the event of a disaster, what to do about pets, and the requisite terrorist BOLO (Be On the LookOut) stuff (the plastic sheeting and duct tape “shelter-in-place” demo brought down the house at our home—duck and cover for the new millennium!). A bonus CD-ROM with printable inventories and checklists taken directly from the Department of Homeland Security website and Government Printing Office (GPO) is also included. An uneven mix of solid tips, common sense, questionable advice, and fear mongering, this is an optional purchase. Aud: P. (R. Reagan)