Self Reliance

I think that just about says it all. I'd certainly prefer my family members wait for the police to show up and take their report after my family has already made itself safe.
In a disaster situation like Katrina, Fukushima, or the "Big One" in California, the police will be too busy to help in any case, and then defending yourself from predators will be your job. You'll be on your own.
I think this is Oleg Volk's work, but am not certain at the moment.

An idea for Haiti

It occurs to me that one of the ways we could help the Haitians is by building housing and other buildings by using the shipping containers that we ship the much needed items to Haiti in. The various charities could ship food, medicine, clothing, blankets, tents, etc in the typical cargo containers, along with the large "Big Bertha" forklifts and necessary building supplies to modify the containers into protective shelter, and eventually into decent (or better) housing. It would certainly offer better protection than the shanties that were previously built in Haiti.
The containers are cheap. They run around $1500-$2500. The various charities and government agencies will have to ship in them in any case. There are currently hundreds stacking up in LA and Long Beach harbors.

Here are a few links.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/01/shipping_contai.php

http://dornob.com/cargo-container-house-plans-continue-to-expand/

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/01/really_its_a_ca.php

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/look/look-kansas-citys-new-cargo-container-house-078421

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/shipping-container-homes-460309