I normally don’t write about personal things in my column, but this month is different. On June 29, my dad’s home in south central North Dakota was engulfed in flames. It started just before noon, and he and my stepmom were able to escape the house with the clothes on their backs. Dad was not even wearing any shoes. He sustained minor burns and smoke inhalation but is okay. My dad is 91 and stepmom is 87.
Five volunteer rural fire departments responded, along with the ambulance and two sheriff departments. Neighbors came with semi-truck sized water tanks and food for the firefighters. 50,000 gallons of water later, the house fire was extinguished. However, volunteers came throughout the night to put out flare-ups, and others the next morning to pump the water out of the basement.
Neighbors came together to bring my parents food, toiletries, first aid kit and paper products. My wife, Michelle, and I arrived the day after the fire. We, along with my other siblings and their families, helped with what we could.
The seventh cooperative principle is Concern for Community. The community in rural America is definitely strong and pulls together when tragedy happens, which is why I chose to work for an electric cooperative – for 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative.
Because of my parents’ recent ordeal, Michelle and I asked ourselves what we would do if everything we have was suddenly gone - no cash, bank checks, credit cards, cellphones, medicine or a vehicle. There have been articles in Kansas Country Living about creating a ‘go bag’. I encourage you to consider what you would need to have in a ‘go bag’ and where to put that bag to grab. Also, backing up data into online storage allows things from computers and cellphones to be accessible after a catastrophic event. Important documents like birth certificates, social security cards, copies of driver’s licenses need to be stored where they are protected and accessible.
We are blessed that my parents are safe. We are blessed that they are surrounded by neighbors who care. We are blessed that we live in a country that encourages community support. My heartfelt thanks to the first responders who work or volunteer for the fire departments, EMS and law enforcement.
By Dennis Svanes,
General Manager/CEO