There are two kinds of disasters for which midwives need to prepare.  Some are unpredictable, with minimal or no warning before the crisis hits.  Examples of these are earthquakes, floods, or terrorist attacks.  Others give us long term warning, but may still be unavoidable.  Pandemic flu is only one example.

Planning for each type of event will vary.  But even unpredictable events can be prepared for.  The planning occurs at many levels -- in practices, institutions, communities and states.  Each of us needs to evaluate our practices and see what needs to be done.  Some of the decisions can be completed at the practice level.  Others will require coordination with other groups of providers and organizations.