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After the horrible disaster in Haiti our troop has been spending some time talking about how to prepare for and recover from a major earthquake, particularly since Portland Oregon could be due for a big one at anytime. Working with the emergency preparadness MBC I was amazed that earthquakes do not make the list of natural disasters in requirement 2(b). That's just weird. Is there a reason why a natural disaster that has occurred in this country with considerable regularity and threatens the lives of tens of millions (particularly on the Pacific Coast) does not even merit an honorable mention on the emergency preparadness merit badge?

Regardless, a tragedy like that which just occurred is a good time to consider how ready you and your family are for a disaster that can strike anytime.

But are you ready for a hurricane? We were lucky grocery stores were open after a few days last year when our three days of emergency supplies ran out. We got power back after 16 days (Ike).

Seeing what the earthquake victims are going through we feel luckier every day.

I agree that earthquake preparedness should be part of Emergency Preparedness. Earthquakes in the US can happen outside the seismically active West Coast. The most powerful earthquake in US history occurred in the Midwest in New Madrid, MO. How many of you in the Show-Me State are prepared for an earthquake?

Hurricanes are impossible along the West Coast - the ocean water is too cold. Tornadoes are possible, just last week some twisters appeared in Southern California. Note, though, that tornadoes in California are rare, are short-lived, and don't do a lot of damage other than knock down some trees and take someone's roof off their house.

The folks in Alaska might disagree with you on that statement. I'd agree that the series of 1811-1812 quakes in the New Madrid area were very potent and quite devastating to the region, but they didn't match the 9.2 magnitude of the 1964 Prince William Sound quake.

When my brother in law lived in LA, he had a had an emergency kit for earthquakes. It had food & water included. He considered it kinda a Duh. And he was never a Boy Scout. Of course the kit is not much use if it is underneath a pile of rubble. Discussion of local needs should be a part of the emergency kit content discussion. Of course when you add food & water to a kit, it add substantially to the cost.

Can't answer your question for sure but there are other natural disasters that aren't listed either such as Volcanos (PACNORWEST) and Tsumanis (HAWAII). Also unnatural disasters such as HAZMAT spills, airplane crashes and Terrorism aren't listed either.

You can send your input to National for the next update of the BSA requirements.

Perhaps this is one of those instances where common sense applies. Not everything is going to be laid out for us, and I highly doubt anyone would question a prep for common disasters for your area.

I think a foreseeable disaster that threatens the entire left coast which contains 47+ million people (about 15% of the US population) might warrant more specific inclusion in the Emergency Prep MB.

An earthquake is much more likely than many of the other disasters mentioned in Req 2.

I am not saying add to the requirements,unless National does it. It is possible to discuss Earthquakes. It is an added side note that does not enter into if the scout earns the badge or not. I feel this applies as in an emergency Thinking is critical.

After all earning a meritbadge learning.

Deweylure

Although I live less than 5 miles from the biggest fault on the east coast, earth quakes are on the bottom of the list of things that worry me, If I lived where they where more of a issue, I would certainly discuss them as part of this merit badge.

Maybe when it is revised it will be added as an option it 2.

My 20+ inches of snow in my driveway this weekend doesn't qualify either. I'm sending in a change tomorrow.

There was an earthquake in Illinois. Tiny by California standards. Still...

I definitely would like to have earthquake mentioned. I live 40 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake which occurred in Illinois early today. my dog noticed.

Dewey

Write up your proposal and send it in.