Friday, September 30, 2011

EP - SLC Self Reliance Expo


On October 7th and 8th, the Southtown Expo Center will be hosting a 'Self Reliance Expo'.  Please follow this link for more information:


Local vendors as well as nation vendors will be presenting information about their emergency products.

Presentation will include the following and more...


Homestead

  • Gardening
  • Hydroponics/Aquaponics
  • Canning
  • Nutrition
  • Food Storage
  • Nutrient Density
  • Importance of Whole Plant Foods
  • Greenhouses

Emergency

  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Home Safety & First Aid
  • Home Medical Equipment
  • Home & Personal Security
  • Physical Fitness
  • Self Defense
  • Marksmanship
  • Video Monitoring
  • Lost Kits
  • Hikers, Climbers & Campers

Financial

  • Financial Protection
  • Self-Directed Investing
  • Wills, Trusts, Entity Structuring
  • Land for Sale

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

EP - Outdoor Solar lights for Emergency Lighting

Consider this idea below:


No Power?  Lights For You. What A Great Idea!!!!!!!

BRING IN WHEN IT STARTS GETTING DARK
    BACK OUT IN THE MORNING TO  CHARGE
        ALL THANKS TO  MOTHER NATURE
            RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES  NOT NEEDED

Here's an idea so you're not in the dark -- Solar Lights! 

Last week, a thunderstorm rolled through our neighborhood and a huge oak tree came down on some power lines, creating a power outage for a large area  around us. We lost power for about 5 hours.

We were scrambling around in the darkness looking for matches,  candles, flashlights, etc.

We  looked outside and noticed our solar lights shining brightly all around our patio, stairs, dock, etc.  They were beautiful.  We brought several of the solar lights inside and stuck the solar light pipes into  plastic drink bottles containers.  They  made the nicest, brightest, safest lighting  you could ever  imagine.

We put one in the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, etc.   There was plenty of  light.

There are all types of solar lights  available.  We bought ours at Harbor Freight.   We  put them all around  our yard.  They look nice and they do not attract flying bugs like the outdoor lights around our doorway.
 
The lights we have fit into the small (20oz) water bottles and they also fit into most of the larger liter bottles. If you need a weight in the plastic bottle to keep them from tipping over, you can put a few of the pretty colorful  "flat  marbles"  that they put in aquariums and vases.  You can also use sand, aquarium gravel, etc., whatever you have available.

The lights we have were perfect inside our home.  They burn all night long if you need them to.
The next day, you just take your solar lights back outside and they will instantly recharge and be ready for you to use again any time you need them.
Perfect for power outages, hurricanes, etc.


This is the time of year to pick up clearance garden items, including solar path lights and such.  On the website for good ole Harbor Freight is a ten-piece set on sale for $29.99 instead of $39.99:  http://www.harborfreight.com/interests/solar/10-piece-stainless-steel-solar-light-set-66249.html.  



Says one reviewer of the set . . .
  "I bought two sets of these to put by the ends of tent ropes to keep people from tripping at night. They did a great job. The light is not too bright but bright enough to see the tent stakes. My only complaint is that each pack had one bad light that had to be tossed. But catching them on sale so the average cost was minimal I didn't get too upset."  Another reviewer says that the lights are only 13 watts; that's 3 times my night light.

Local Area Ham Radio Nets

Please review the above tab titled 'Amateur Radio'.  I have posted a list of local Ham Radio nets currently operating in the SLC South East Division.  If you know of other nets in the area, or have corrections to these listed, please email SLCFoothillNet@comcast.net with that information.

SE Division Emergency Communications Net

Amateur (HAM) radio operators in Salt Lake City and the surrounding area are encouraged to participate in the SE Division Emergency Communications Net. 

Thursdays, 9 p.m. on 147.50 MHz simplex.

Check-in is first by the seven community council areas of the division (Yalecrest, Foothill/Sunnyside, Sunnyside East Association, Wasatch Hollow, Bonneville Hills, East Bench, and Sugar House).  Visitors outside the division are invited to check in afterwards.  Everyone is welcome to participate, including giving announcements, asking questions and proposing topics of emergency communications and other preparedness for discussion.

This Thursday, September 22, 2011, Dick Leining (W7DML) of the Wasatch Hollow CERT team will give training about radiograms.

Please spread the word, including to people who may not be licensed in amateur radio but are interested in emergency communications, even inviting them to listen in from your radio station.  You never know when one of those people may be interested in becoming a scribe, even if he/she does not want to become licensed, as is already the case in one of our areas!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

EP - Top 10 Ways To Prepare for Cold Weather

Top 10 Ways To Prep For Cold Weather…

Article posted from TheReadyStore.com, September 2011


10. Blankets
 Make sure you have plenty of blankets on hand in case of a loss of power or loss of a heating source.


9. Alternative Heating Source

Make sure you have another way to heat your home and cook your meals.  Relying only on your primary sources of heat and power could leave you in a precarious situation.  Don’t make this mistake.

8. Food Storage
Stock up on food.  This will come in very handy if you are ever snowed in.  It will also be a great help to those of your friends, family, or neighbors, who may by in a time of need.


7. Water Storage
Don’t let your stored water freeze.  This can ruin the containers it is stored in.  Keep your water in above freezing temperatures.


6. Winterize your home
Extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.


5. Insulate pipes 

Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing. Also, winterize your sprinkler system.

4. Keep fire extinguishers on hand
House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.


3. Winterize Your Car
Cold weather can be very tough on vehicles.  Make sure that you’ve had your vehicles heating system checked.  Make sure your tires are ready for ice and snow. Make sure you keep at least a half a tank of gas at all times, and that you have an Auto emergency kit in your vehicle.


2. Check Your Roof
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, make sure you have your roof checked for integrity.  Can it handle the weight of the snow that will come?


1. Clothing
Make sure you dress appropriately for the cold weather.  Keep extra coats on hand in your car.  You don’t want to get caught in a snow or ice storm without the ability to stay warm.  Wear extra layers and keep scarfs, gloves, and a warm hat nearby.


Saturday, September 10, 2011

CERT - 9th&9th Street festival CERT activity

Saturday, September 17, 2011, the 9th&9th Street festival, in conjunction with Salt Lake City and Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling, will host Utah’s largest mock emergency response drill as part of the Festival .


Open to all, victim check-in will be at 940 E 900 S between 10 and 11:45AM. The drill will begin at 12 Noon and run for 2 hours.  Victim sign up can also be done on-line at: http://9thand9thstreetfestival.com/index.php/volunteers/cert-event-registration/


We are planning for up to 500 victims and 300 CERT trained emergency responders to participate.  The Salt Lake City Emergency Alert system will be activated and over a thousand volunteer emergency responders will be notified and asked to respond to this event.  City emergency communication systems will be on-line to monitor and evaluate the response.


Ask yourself: What if an earthquake like Haiti’s happened here today?


This is a learning opportunity for both disaster victims and CERT volunteers to be more prepared should an actual emergency occur.  After Katrina, FEMA mandated the writing of a FEMA/State of Utah Catastrophic Plan.   This event has been planned in preparation for next spring’s national level emergency drill called Shakeout2012.   These events are being hosted to promote self preparation and the construction of an effective emergency plan for the state of Utah.
http://publicsafety.utah.gov/emergencymanagement/ShakeOut2012.htm


Everyone is invited to participate.  Check-in and coordination will be at the 9th&9th Street Festival while the event staging location will be nearby at the Rowland Hall School athletic field.


For further information about this event please contact


Heidi Preuss
Event Chair
801 580-8978
Heidi@9thand9thstreetfestival.com

Friday, September 9, 2011

EP - Utah: Preparedness Now Video

This film depicts the realistic outcome of a hypothetical, but plausible 
earthquake on the Wasatch Fault in Utah.


Thursday, September 8, 2011

EP - Basic First Aid

BASIC FIRST AID

Bleeding - Apply direct pressure with towel or gauze until bleeding is stopped.
Clean minor cuts with Hydrogen Peroxide. Apply antibiotic ointment and band-aid.

Sprains - Apply ice immediately to swelling, and off and on for next 48 hours. Seek
referral for evaluation of injury. Ibuprofen may relieve pain and inflammation.
Elevate extremities where swelling is present. Compression with elastic bandage
may be helpful.

Burns - Treat minor burns with cool water or cool compress. If there is blistering,
seek referral for evaluation of injury. Antiseptic sprays containing Benzocaine may
provide temporary relief. For large burns, go to emergency facility.

Bug Bites/Stings - Apply ice immediately. Remove stinger if visible. Apply
antihistamine cream to site. Take 25 mg Benedryl by mouth. Elevate if sting is on
leg or arm. Go to emergency facility for breathing difficulty or extreme swelling.

Rash/Poison Ivy - Wash area with antibacterial soap. Try not to scratch. Apply
antihistamine cream or hydrocortisone cream to rash. Wash hands after applying.
Take Benedryl by mouth to relieve itching. If not improved in 24 hours, seek referral
for medical treatment.

Colds/Congestion/Sore Throat – Increase cold fluid consumption. Take
decongestant product for congestion according to label. Use throat lozenges if
needed according to directions on label. Take Tylenol for headache, fever, or pain.
Seek medical referral if symptoms do not improve in 48-72 hours or if fever over
102 degrees F, stiff neck or repeated vomiting occur.

Vomiting – Take small sips of ginger ale, weak tea, Sprite, or ice chips every 5-10
minutes. Emetrol liquid may ease nausea—take as directed on label. Once liquids
are tolerated without vomiting, try crackers, toast, bananas, applesauce, rice or
clear soups for the next 24 hours. If tolerated, work up to a bland diet (no fried
foods, fatty foods or roughage) and then back to a normal diet. If vomiting is
persistent or accompanied by a fever over 102 degrees F or stiff neck, go to
emergency room.

Diarrhea – Try Kaopectate or Immodium—follow directions on label. Stay on liquid
diet until condition improves. If tolerated, work up to a bland diet (avoid fried foods,
fats and roughage) over the next 24 hours, and then go back to normal diet.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

EP - Evacuation

EVACUATION
Several types of disasters may force you to be evacuated from your home. If you are told 
to evacuate, take the following steps:

• Listen carefully to instructions given by local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to 
  do so.
• If you have time, grab your portable disaster (3 day) kit. Make sure that you include any
  last-minute items, such as prescription medication, that you may need.
• Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Lock your home.
• Use travel routes outlined by local officials. Do not take short cuts; they may be unsafe.
• Keep fuel in your car if evacuation seems likely. Gas stations may be closed during
   emergencies.
• If you go to a shelter, notify staff of any special needs you may have. They will try to
  accommodate you and make you comfortable.

Be prepared to leave your home if:
• Your area is without electrical power or water for an extended period of time.
• There is a chemical emergency affecting your area.
• Flood water is rising.
• A wild land fire is burning near your home.
• Your home has been severely damaged.
• Local officials tell you to evacuate.

Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Hundreds of times each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and floods cause evacuations even more frequently.

Friday, September 2, 2011

EP - NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards


NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Working with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Alert System , NWR is an "All Hazards" radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information. In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages).


Known as the "Voice of NOAA's National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce. NWR includes 1000 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at these seven frequencies (MHz):


162.400
162.425
162.450
162.475
162.500
162.525
162.550