Emergency #GrabBag campaign mocked and criticised for scaremongering
A campaign urging the public to prepare a "grab-and-go" bag in case of emergencies has been mocked and criticised by social media users.
Police Scotland tweeted a diagram of a rucksack that includes medication, a phone charger and battery bank, a radio, torch, and food and water.
The recommendations were part of an annual “preparedness month” that is being promoted by local authorities and emergency services across the UK.
The tweet said: "September is preparedness month. Emergencies can happen at any time and it's recommended to have a #GrabBag ready containing essential items including medication, copies of important documents, food/water, torch, radio and other personal items."
However, the campaign has been accused of scaremongering to a tense public, with some commentators mocking the campaign.
WHY DID POLICE SCOTLAND ADVISE PEOPLE TO KEEP A GRAB-AND-GO BAG?
#30Days30WaysUK is a month-long #socialmedia campaign looking at emergency response & personal preparedness providing practical advice on a range of subjects. Further information about emergency kits can be found at @readyscotland: https://t.co/o2qunD4wEM https://t.co/3zLCdsVT5t
— Police Scotland Control Rooms (@polscotcontrol) September 8, 2019
National Preparedness Month was originally a campaign run by the US Department of Homeland Security. The department's theme for 2019 is "Prepared, Not Scared".
It has been adopted by a number of UK councils, police forces and fire departments over the past five years under the name 30Days30WaysUK.
A Police Scotland spokesperson told Yahoo News: "The messaging is part of a general resilience awareness campaign that runs each year during September which emergency services and partners across Britain are taking part in."
The campaign describes emergencies as power cuts, water main bursts, gas leaks, fires, transport strikes and road closures, as well as major disasters.
"Taking proactive steps to be better prepared will help you not only with everyday emergencies but also with far less likely incidents," it advises on its website.
HOW HAVE THE PUBLIC REACTED?
Ma Simpsons wrote on Twitter: “And why would you be suggesting this? What massive emergency are you envisaging?”
Lucy Ayrton wrote: “This campaign seems misguided and irresponsible at best, fear mongering at worst. What emergencies, exactly?? What were the conversations had about public response to this?”
Clarity is required. Why exactly are you putting the fear into us?
— justmeinedinburgh (@justmeedinburgh) September 8, 2019
Well this is random and a bit scary, still, I'm taking bets.
Asteroid 4/1
Tsunami 8/1
Nuclear war 14/1
Alien invasion 22/1
Zombie Apocalypse 33/1
No deal Brexit 1000/1#beprepared #30Days30WaysUK #PaddyPower— Paul (@fudpucker74) September 8, 2019
I would seriously suggest this is not a good time to be issuing this, especially in the current climate? We have been told the UK government is talking about bringing in the military in the event of a No Deal Brexit, now this??
— Helen MacMillan (@HelenMacMillan1) September 8, 2019
One user, bellshillbaker, wrote: "This is crass. Scaring people with no explanations. What emergencies do you envisage? Brexit? War? Civil disturbance? Flood? Pestilence? Nuclear accident? Martial Law?"
Sharon Gathercole, replied to Police Scotland: "Confusing/worrying. I'm 50 years old, lived here all my life and have never been given this kind of advice before. You need to explain."
This is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen from a so-called serious public service comms account.
US or Afghanistan - maybe, I guess. But the good folk of Bathgate or Forfar packing their emergency bags and hanging them up in the hall..?? Nah. Pls stop this nonsense.— IndyIsNormal (@IndyIsNormal) September 8, 2019
WHAT HAS THIS GOT TO DO WITH BREXIT?
Some felt that the post was particularly worrying given the current circumstances and fear surrounding a no-deal Brexit.
Helen MacMillan wrote: “I would seriously suggest this is not a good time to be issuing this, especially in the current climate? We have been told the UK government is talking about bringing in the military in the event of a No Deal Brexit, now this??”
This isn't 'practical advice', it's alarmist, badly timed, American survivalist agitation.
— Erskine Pink (@PeaceMeese) September 9, 2019
Other users felt that the recommendations were akin to the American “prepper” movement.
Also known as survivalists, preppers are people who actively prepare for emergencies, including possible disruptions in social or political order.
The movement was spawned during the Cold War, when the threat of nuclear annihilation threatened the world.
Given the current events in the UK, people are very touchy about things like this and might see political significance to them where there is none.
Disaster preparedness is something that is always relevant, and perhaps some reassurance this isn’t about Brexit is in order.— Ya’akov Sloman (@yaakovsloman) September 8, 2019
HOW HAS THE CAMPAIGN BEEN MOCKED ONLINE?
Social media was also very quick to mock the grab bag.
Scottish Twitter users posted images of their versions of “grab bags” that included Scottish sweets, snacks and alcohol.
Er no irn bru?
— Rob Simmons (@simmorobbo) September 9, 2019
Get your go bag ready 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/wk9DkInYMd
— Breige Harvey (@BreigeHarvey) September 9, 2019
Have my #GrabBag sorted. #30Days30WaysUK #Preparedness #PreparedNotScared pic.twitter.com/BNLauOWV8R
— Elisabeth Anderson (@velobetty) September 8, 2019
Got my grab bag ready for going down to London. pic.twitter.com/fzFQTHJVgY
— Scott Reid 🔍 (@scottreid1980) September 8, 2019
Emergency plan pic.twitter.com/edZyg9QCzQ
— The Halcyon Order (@halcyonorder) September 8, 2019
I knew they were eying our world with envious eyes lol 🤣🤣🤣 The Allen invasion is upon us folks, run for them there hills 🤣🤣🤣 #GrabBag #ApocalypseNow #apocalypse #AlienInvasion pic.twitter.com/mGT28ho1pj
— Keven law (@Kevenlaw) September 8, 2019
Scottish Folk! #BePrepared pic.twitter.com/zemTRxjIw3
— Arron Uytendhal (@AUytendhal) September 9, 2019
Well I’m not taking any chances, that’s my #GrabBag packed & ready to go pic.twitter.com/eGELNtBjn4
— Graham Love (@GLove39) September 8, 2019
The only real #GrabBag pic.twitter.com/4jHhqTOLO1
— Ozen Awz (@AwzOzen) September 8, 2019
You lot planning a zombie apocalypse we don’t know about?? pic.twitter.com/5H0fge02LK
— Tori ❤️🏴 (@Toridafab) September 8, 2019
HOW HAVE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS RESPONDED?
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr called the advice “ill-timed”, given the “current atmosphere” in the UK.
Mr Kerr told the Scottish Courier: “While I have no doubt this tweet was well-intentioned, its timing seems extremely ill-advised.
“It’s difficult to understand why September requires people to prepare an emergency grab bag.”