Available online this Thursday, the “All Responsible” survival manual should enable the French to “to act effectively in a crisis situation“But what does it contain and what will it be used for? Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, answers us.
A very complete survival kit
Much more than a simple guide, this survival manual brings together valuable advice and essential reflexes to adopt to deal with all kinds of crises (natural or industrial disasters, cyberattacks, armed conflict, terrorism, etc.).
Written in simple sentences, it addresses several key points: first, knowing how to protect yourself by taking the right actions (shelter, stay at home or evacuate, etc.); then react effectively in the event of an alert (understand the alert signal, such as the siren sound, etc.); and finally get information (in particular by raising awareness among those wishing to become reservists in the army, police, firefighters or Civil Security).
The manual also emphasizes the risks associated with climate disasters, the frequency and intensity of which are expected to increase with global warming. It provides practical advice on what to do in the face of floods, wildfires and other extreme events.
Furthermore, the booklet encourages the French to prepare by putting together a real “survival kit” to deal with an emergency situation: drinking water, flashlight, first aid kit, non-perishable provisions and radio (accompanied by batteries). The goal is to have the essentials available during the first 72 hours after a crisis, which are “often the most trying“, we can read.
“The objective of this guide is simple: it prepares the population for different types of potential crises (natural disaster, health crisis, industrial accident or armed conflict, etc.). It is a practical tool to strengthen collective resilience by explaining the essential actions to adopt depending on the nature of the threat.“, confirms Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical.
The emergency kit in pictures
Three key areas to prepare for the worst
According to Dr Gérald Kierzek, three main key areas are therefore addressed in this kit:
- The first axis raises awareness of the notion of solidarity, explains how to protect yourself, but also how to protect vulnerable people around you and details the essential emergency numbers;
- Then, the second part addresses the actions to take in the event of an alert or imminent threat, with practical advice (such as caulking your home or listening to emergency radio frequencies);
- Finally, the last part is based on citizen engagement: how to register in a military, digital or municipal reserve.
“The main objective is to install a “culture of collective resilience” so that each citizen is better prepared to face various crises, and thus limit the disastrous effects on the population. This guide is part of a national resilience strategy initiated after the Covid-19 pandemic and adapted to current threats, particularly in an uncertain geopolitical context”, specifies the medical director of True Medical.
In the guide, the possibility of a “threat linked to a major commitment of our armed forces outside the national territory” is also clearly mentioned there.
The usefulness of this manual is therefore threefold:
- Prevention and individual and collective preparation;
- Reducing panic and disorganization in crisis situations;
- Promoting solidarity and civic mobilization.
“This is a relevant initiative, because France is less anchored in a culture of active prevention than other countries, due to its welfare state model. The dissemination and effective adoption of this guide will therefore be essential to measure its real impact on the population. However, care must be taken to inform without creating unnecessary anxiety,” concludes the emergency doctor.