Following the events of Sept. 11, the month of September was named Emergency Preparedness Month. Fire departments across the country have re-examined emergency preparedness with the understanding that maximizing its effectiveness means every member of the community must learn more about being able to respond to the unthinkable.

So how prepared are you? As for myself, I have a failing grade and I know that I’m not alone. Here’s a good example of my lack of preparedness. A few weeks ago, I took my son for a haircut. As he sat in the chair, I saw him jump with surprise, then cry, and a scramble from the hairstylist followed as she grabbed a piece of collar paper and placed it on his ear, applying pressure to stop bleeding. I made my way to his chair and noted that it was a small nick to the ear, nothing major. But the bleeding continued, and more and more collar paper was being applied.

Knowing that the continued attention around this minor accident was making him eager to get out of that chair, I suggested that the stylist apply a Band-Aid. “We’re all out,” she said. “In this profession, we cut our fingers all the time – it’s hard to keep them in stock.”

Surprised, I huffed to myself thinking, I’ll just save the day and retrieve a Band-Aid from the first-aid kit in my car. I was soon humbled to discover that my first-aid kit was fresh out too, and even worse, the Tylenol and antiseptics had expired in the last decade.

Sure, first-aid essentials are available in a variety of retail outlets. Our cell phones don’t stray far from our hip, making communication a stroke of a key pad or a mere dial of the phone away. But what happens when the communication lines become overloaded in a crisis, roads become flooded and stores are closed because of disaster? Are you prepared? I’m not and I know it. It’s something that on occasion I think about, but usually it’s in the early stages of disaster that I start getting prepared – along with everyone else who floods the supermarket or hardware stores to discover the out-of-stock signs for batteries and generators.

Fortunately, with weather emergencies we’re given some warning. But the unforeseen can leave you out in the cold and dark in no time flat. Cut off from communication, people are left to figure out alternative methods on their own, and this has had deadly consequences – especially when it comes to generators and flooded roads.

To help residents learn to be more prepared, Scarborough will be offering an Emergency Preparedness Day on Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., in the cafeteria of Scarborough High School. Topics discussed will include: How to prepare an emergency kit, getting familiar with evacuation plans and availability of Scarborough shelters, preparing your home for a disaster, knowing when it is safe to return home, what to do with your pets, and advice and instruction on how to help our community’s most vulnerable citizens: disabled and elderly. Fire Chief Michael Thurlow, representatives from Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, Public Safety Departments and the American Red Cross of Southern Maine will be featured panelists.

Scarborough Rotary Club was given a sneak preview of this event, and it came with a request. Scarborough resident, Linda Bidler asked the club if it would donate an emergency kit as a door prize. As the club assembled the contents – water, non-perishable food, batteries, a battery-operated radio, first aid kit, can opener and flash light – I was convinced that every resident should have one of these kits assembled, on hand and ready to go whenever disaster strikes.

The kit got me thinking. There’s so much more we all need to know. So, come and learn more. Registration is requested. Call 730-4150.