NORWICH – Though it was only a simulation, the emergency training event that took place earlier this month prompted many in the community to wonder how long they could survive while their government was busy.

In a real emergency, individuals and families are advised to prepare to survive without governmental resources for at least 72 hours, say two local safety and survival specialists.

Robert H. Benton, Jr., owner/operator of TASIS Communications, a Sherburne-based emergency communications company, said access to a store for essentials like water, food, clothing, medicine, first aid supplies and batteries cannot be guaranteed during times of an emergency. Other essential items could be infant formula, medical prescriptions, spare gasoline and a generator.

“Many things will simply be unavailable during a time of an emergency, so people must be prepared to be on their own,” he said. Benton said people who were stranded in Bainbridge and Afton during Chenango County’s record-breaking flood in 2006 simply couldn’t be reached for a period of time. Many others had to wait longer for clean potable water, food and shelter.

The recent simulation event, coordinated by Benton, involved more than 70 emergency management officials responding to the Chenango County airport, Chenango Memorial Hospital and Kerry BioScience in Norwich. He regularly volunteers his time to address various groups and organizations who have made safety and survival a priority. His powerpoint presentation, available for free on the Internet, lists safety and survival items to stock in automobile, home and/or office kits.