One of the primary tenants of CERT training is that, in the event of a disaster, public services will be quickly overwhelmed. And this is public services in the broadest sense: water-gas-electric utility service repair teams and road crews as well as fire, police, and emergency rescue operations.
 
This surprises many people, but just think of the last time the in-laws came to visit.
 
More mouthes to feed requires more food as well as more preparation and more cooking time. Thirsty people require more to drink. Bathroom times need to be coordinated. Hot water for showers and bathing needs to be managed. And when everyone gets tired, sleeping quarters need to be arranged. Clear heads must prevail or chaos will ensue.
 
In a non-disaster setting where the road to the grocery store is free of fallen trees and the plumbing and electricity still work, it's not such a big deal. But imagine if you had four adults and six kids to feed and no way to get to the store. If the water is off, how do you stay hydrated? Where do you go to the bathroom? If your house if off its foundation, where's a safe place for the ten of you to sleep? Or even to stand around out of the rain or sun?
 
A visit from the in-laws is a good way to practice your resource awareness and preparedness skills. Think back to the last visit. How did you do? When's the next visit? What would you change? Now you're thinking like a CERT.