LDS-centric Utah Epicenter for Food Storage

"Storing away enough food and water in case of disaster, job loss or something worse is not just part of the
fundamental teachings of the LDS church, it's an idea that is increasingly catching on nationwide. And it's also big business.

A large majority of food storage companies that do Internet sales are based in the state. Terms once used only by Church members, such as 72-hour kit, are mainstream, as is the survivalist "preppers" philosophy that taps into the Church's century-old teachings on the topic.

"The wisdom behind preparing is taught heavily in this population," said Paul Fulton, president of Ready Store, based in Draper, Utah, about 20 miles south of Salt Lake City. "They've led the way.""


Read the full article posted from KSL.com

LDS-centric Utah 

epicenter for food storage

Great Utah ShakeOut 2014

The Great Utah ShakeOut is now four months away -- April 17th at 10:15 a.m.

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are a chance to practice how to protect ourselves during big earthquakes, and also how to get prepared.

Sign up that you will be participating in the drill and you will receive email updates that will feature "The Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety" that may improve your preparedness for a big earthquake or other emergencies.

The first email I have received describes how to "Secure Your Space" to prevent objects from causing injuries or damage when they fall or are thrown across the room during earthquakes.

Step 1: Secure Your Space

Earthquake shaking can move almost anything, even large or heavy items. Imagine your home or workplace being picked up and shaken sideways – what would fall or be thrown around? How can you prevent it?

Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing movable items. Consider doing one item from the list below each week. You may need to ask others for help or to borrow tools. Perhaps you might help them in return, or help others in your community.  We're all in this together!

No cost:

• Move heavy or large items to the floor or low shelves.
• Move things that can fall on you away from where you spend a lot of time.
• Move heavy or unstable objects away from doors and escape routes.

Low Cost:

• Secure a water heater to wall studs with two metal straps.
• Secure top-heavy furniture and appliances to wall studs.
• Hang mirrors and pictures on closed hooks.
• Secure computers and TVs with special straps.
• Prevent small items from falling by using museum putty or wax.
• Install latches on kitchen cabinets.

A bit more work or cost:

• Use flexible connections where gas lines meet appliances (such as water heaters, ovens, and clothes dryers).
• Secure overhead light fixtures.
• Secure free-standing wood stoves or fireplace inserts.

These recommendations may also reduce injury or damage in other situations.  For example, a recent report showed that unsecured TVs that fall are injuring children across the country every day! So even if earthquakes are not common where you live or work, these suggestions are worthwhile to consider.

Visit EarthquakeCountry.org/step1 for additional information, instructions, and resources. You can also play the "Beat the Quake" game to test your knowledge for how to secure your space, and challenge your friends too!

KSL - Neighborhood watch programs decrease crime

Neighborhood watch programs decrease crime, police say

Neighborhoods across Utah are banding together to fight back against crime and police reports reveal the reason.

In Utah in 2013, there have been more than 170,000 reports of burglary, theft, stolen cars, and larceny. KSL-TV partnered with police officers and residents in two areas of Salt Lake County to establish Neighborhood Watch programs.

Police said they can't be everywhere at the same time, but one possible solution to decrease crime is establishing a neighborhood watch. The KSL Investigative Team helped organize two neighborhood watch groups — one in South Jordan and the other on the east side of Salt Lake City — to see how different tactics work.

Click on the following link to read the article and watch the newscast:

Neighborhood watch programs 

decrease crime, police say

Goal Zero Warehouse Sale

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Friday, November 22, 2013 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Saturday November 23, 2013 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Location: 4029 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84107

Phone: 801-506-0665, email bart@powerinapinch.com

VISIT POWERINAPINCH.COM OR GOALZERO.COM FOR THE FULL LINE

OF GOAL ZERO PRODUCTS – SPECIAL SALE PRICING AT EVENT ONLY

*All orders must be placed by 5:00 p.m. November 25, 2013

and will be filled the first week of December

Community Preparedness Workshop

Date:           Saturday, November 23, 2013

Location:     The new Public Safety Building

                     475 S 300 E        

Time:           8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Dear Salt Lake City Community Members,

The 4st Quarter 2013 Community Preparedness Workshop has been scheduled. Please join us at the workshop on Saturday, November 23, 2013. Continental breakfast will be offered at 8:00 am. Welcome and opening address will begin at 8:30.

This workshop will focus on the SAFE Neighborhoods program. In the event of a catastrophic incident that requires evacuation of a community neighborhood, individuals and families need a SAFE location to go for family reunification, temporary sheltering, and a place to receive emergency public information.

Salt Lake City, in partnership with the American Red Cross, and the Salt Lake City School District has developed the SAFE Neighborhoods program which trains volunteers from each school community to open, staff, and run their own reunification shelters within their own neighborhood schools until outside resources arrive.

This workshop will educate participants about how and why the program was developed; why it is important to the community, and provide the initial 2 hour training volunteers will need to implement the program in their school community. For more information about the SAFE Neighborhoods program go to www.slcgov.com/em and scroll down and click on the SAFE Neighborhoods bullet.

John Flynt, Community Preparedness Coordinator for the Salt Lake City Office of Emergency Management will brief workshop attendees on Salt Lake City government’s participation in the ShakeOut 2014, planning for the future, and projects that are being implemented. He will also be bringing equipment to issue CERT member ID badges. If you wish to receive your ID please bring proof of CERT course completion. For those who have completed any NIMS ICS courses or who are hold current HAM licenses, proof will be required to add these certifications to your ID.

Though CERT Team and Mobile Watch members are strongly encouraged to attend, this workshop is for any individuals, families, civic, religious, or volunteer groups interested in community preparedness in Salt Lake City. It is vital that we coordinate in a unified effort among all groups and organizations to successfully prepare and protect our city. We ask the community councils for assistance in finding and encouraging representatives in every neighborhood to participate in these efforts.

Below is the agenda. Didn’t attend the previous workshops? No problem. Please join us at this one! Pass this on to anyone you feel would have an interest in community emergency response.

Please visit www.slcgov.com/em as soon as possible to register to attend the workshop.

Community Preparedness Workshop

Agenda 

Saturday, November 23, 2013, 8:00 am – 12:00 am 

Public Safety Building 

475 S 300 E 

8:00       Sign-in & Light continental breakfast 

8:30       Welcome & Open Meeting – John Flynt/Michael Stott 

              Welcome from SLC Mayor’s office. 

8:45       John Flynt - Community involvement in the Salt Lake City Mass Care Strategy 

                   2013 Great Utah ShakeOut Lessons Learned. 

                                 SAFE Neighborhoods program: What it is, Why it’s important, How to get involved. 

9:30       Q & A 

9:45        Break 

10:00      SAFE Neighborhoods Training 

               Red Cross will provide the initial 2 hour training for shelter fundamentals. 

               Participant will learn the basics for: 

•  Red Cross Shelter requirements 
•  Setting up a Red Cross shelter 
•  Check-in procedures at a Red Cross shelter 
•  Operating in a Red Cross shelter 

12:00 Adjourn 

People with disabilities may make requests for reasonable accommodation no later than 48 hours in advance in order to attend this meeting. Accommodations may include alternate formats, interpreters, and other auxiliary aids. This is an accessible facility. For questions or additional information, please contact Michael Stott, ADA Coordinator, at michael.stott@slcgov.com, (801) 535-7976, or TDD (801) 535-6021.

Sleeping Giant Earthquake Threat Publication

The Wasatch Front in northern Utah is home to the striking Wasatch Range, numerous cities and communities that house about 80% of Utah’s population, and the most continuous, active normal fault in the

conterminous United States––the Wasatch fault zone.  Although no large earthquakes have ruptured the Wasatch fault zone historically, the fault has a well-documented history of numerous surface-faulting earthquakes in the recent geologic past.

Click and download this report compiled in April, 2013 and presented from the Seismology Society of America for some fascinating facts and a look at potential future developments.

S.A.F.E Neighborhoods and the American Red Cross

Salt Lake City in cooperation with The America Red Cross have designated the SLC elementary schools as family reunification centers and a source for public information in the event of a catastrophic disaster.  There is really good training available to those interested in assisting the Red Cross at the neighborhood level with establishing the schools as temporary shelters.  See the flyer below.

Click here for a more printable version:

S.A.F.E Neighborhoods Flyer

Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Neighborhood Watch

Date:           October 24th
Location:     LDS Church Building Gym
                    2205 East Roosevelt Ave
                    Please enter through the northwest door in the small, North West parking lot
Time:          7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Main Topics:

• Neighborhood Watch
• Crime in the Area and East Bench
• Prevention
• What you should do
• Home Security Check List
• Emergency Numbers
• Neighborhood Watch for your block
• How Neighborhood Watch Benefits our Community
• Resources for families and neighborhoods

Coming soon on Facebook: Bonneville Hills Community Council
Bonneville Hills Community Council Web Site    http://bonnevillehills.org/

Meeting Organizers:

                   Ellen Reddick   ellenred@comcast.net     801-581-0369
                   Christy & Carlos Lopez
                   Rebecca Maw

Thanks to the LDS Church for allowing us to use their gym at no cost for our meeting.  Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church also offered but their meeting space is too small.  We are expecting a huge community turnout and hope you will come and support your community Neighborhood Watch program and learn about being proactive in your community.

No one can do Neighborhood Watch but YOU!

Practice Pays: Morgan Stanley and the 911 Terrorist Attacks

The following posting from www.ready.gov about Morgan Stanley's business preparedness was recently shared  in a meeting hosted by Dan and Sharon Draper, Volunteer Emergency Prep Leaders in our area.  It caught my attention.

Morgan Stanley

In 1993, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center for the first time, financial services company Morgan Stanley learned a life-saving lesson. It took the company 4 hours that day to evacuate its employees, some of whom had to walk down 60 or more flights of stairs to safety. While none of Morgan Stanley's employees were killed in the attack, the company's management decided its disaster plan just wasn't good enough.

Morgan Stanley took a close look at its operation, analyzed the potential disaster risk and developed a multi-faceted disaster plan. Perhaps just as importantly, it practiced the plan frequently to provide for employee safety in the event of another disaster.

On September 11, 2001, the planning and practice paid off. Immediately after the first hijacked plane struck One World Trade Center, Morgan Stanley security executives ordered the company's 3800 employees to evacuate from World Trade Center buildings, Two and Five. This time, it took them just 45 minutes to get out to safety!

The crisis management did not stop at that point, however. Morgan Stanley offered grief counseling to workers and increased its security presence. It also used effective communications strategies to provide timely, appropriate information to management and employees, investors and clients, and regulators and the media.

Morgan Stanley still lost 13 people on September 11th, but many more could have died if the company had not had a solid disaster plan that was practiced over and over again. In making a commitment to prepare its most valuable asset, its people, Morgan Stanley ensured the firm's future.

The next day, I received and email from Ellen Reddick of the Bonneville Hills Community Council with a link to a video documentary of the same event.  Click on the YouTube video below, or the link underneath for the original posting from fulldocumentary.net.

Rick Rescorla 9/11 evacuation hero

Lowe’s Public Safety Fair

By Bob Mims | The Salt Lake Tribune

The Salt Lake City Fire Department and other agencies are taking their message of preparedness and safety on the road this weekend.

Specifically, SLCFD representatives and gear will be at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store for a safety fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1335 S. 300 West.

The fair comes in advance of the Oct. 6-12 National Fire Prevention Week.

At Lowe’s, firefighters will be demonstrating techniques and equipment used to extricate victims from car accident scenes, and also rappelling from the top of an extended ladder truck.

SLCFD’s arson dog, Daz, will also provide a demonstration of her accelerant-smelling skills, and paramedics will provide CPR demonstrations.

Other agencies offering demonstrations at the fair include the Salt Lake City Police Department and Utah Highway Patrol.

Follow this link to the article:

Public safety fair set for 

Salt Lake City Lowe’s store

Preparedness Fair at the Natural History Museum of Utah

Preparedness Fair

Friday, September 27, 2013 - 11:00am to 3:00pm
Saturday, September 28, 2013 - 11:00am to 3:00pm
Natural History Museum of Utah -- The Canyon

Click here to visit the website:  Natural History Museum of Utah

Do you have a plan? The emergency supplies? The basic training you and your family would need in case of a disaster? 

• Get face-to-grille with disaster recovery equipment - a wheel loader and a portable generator - from Wheeler Machinery.
• Learn how first resonders train in disaster medicine and see tools they use, like a computerized patient simulator, with the Intermountain Center for Disaster Preparedness. 
• See a Rocky Mountain Power line truck used to restore power after a diaster and meet Slim, the Lineman, Rocky Mountain Power's mascot, Friday only. Take part in a demonstration of the hazards of fallen power lines both days of the Fair.

• Explore a firetruck and learn about fire safety SLC Fire Department, Friday only, between 1pm -3pm.
• Practice turning off your gas with Questar Gas and learn the right and wrong time to turn off the gas to protect your home.
• Learn about the hazards of unreinforced masonry and find out how the buildings in your neighborhood are likely to withstand an earthquake. Salt Lake City Emergency Management will be on hand with building inspectors and structural engineers to answer your questions.
• Check out avalanche safety equipment and learn how to prepare a winter back-country excursion with Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center.  Find out how you can have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches at a Know Before you Go presentation on Saturday only at 1 pm.
• Ask scientists from the University of Utah Seismograph Station your questions about Utah’s earthquake hazards.
• Preview KUED's Preparing for Disaster: Starting Now, a film Deseret News calls "required viewing for all Utahns." Win a copy in KUED's raffles throughout the day! 
• Discover how the Bingham Canyon Mine landslide unfolded and learn how preparedness allowed Rio Tinto to prevent loss of life. Try on safety gear and visit the photo booth for a lasting memory!
• Get started on your water storage plan with the help of Disaster Discovery Center.
• See how solid ground turns into quicksand with NHMU's liquefaction demo. Simulate different seismic waves with a slinky and find out how they impact buildings.
• Create your own structure, test its performance in a quake and improve your design with the Museum's shake table activity.

You never know when disaster will strike. Don't miss this opportunity to gather resources and information from our other partners including American Red Cross, University of Utah Emergency Management, Emergency Essentials, and Be Ready Utah. In case of the worst, you'll be ready. 

---

Preparedness Fair is a Free Event!

On Friday, additional parking with a shuttle to the Museum will be available at the ARUP lot on Arapeen Way. Signage from the Museum will direct visitors to the overflow lot

Entrance to the Museum's galleries and Nature Unleashed exhibition requires admission.
 

Thank you, everyone!

Thank you to all who participated in our 2013 neighborhood emergency preparedness exercise.

We wish to thank all neighbors who participated in the exercise by posting their flyer and downloaded their household packets, posting the OK sign in their window.  Don't forget to complete the information in the packet and place it either attached to the fridge, on the inside of a front hallway coat closet, or next to the front window in case emergency responders would ever need to use it.

We wish to thank all the block captains that worked hard to make sure the flyers were delivered to every home in the neighborhood the week of the drill;  and thank them for counting the flyers displayed on Saturday morning.  Thank you for reporting this information into the area command centers, either by FRS/GMRS radio, or by hand delivery.  Without your efforts, we wouldn't have an exercise.  We are so much more prepared because of you.

We wish to thank the area leaders, CERT participants and neighborhood leaders involved in the 6 command centers established for the exercise.  In speaking with some of you, discussions on preparedness were held and items of action were taken away for continued review.  Thank you so much for participating as a group and know that small and simple steps bring about great results.  Thank you for supporting you block captains and delivering the reporting results to area command.

We wish to thank the amateur radio operators who volunteered their time and skills in communication to create the links from the smaller command centers to area command via ham radio.  Thank you for skills in providing clear communications and for your readiness to support any location necessary.

And a big thank you to the area emergency prep committee for your time developing the packets, flyers, maps and more, that made this exercise a success.  Thank you for volunteering your hours of time and energy to help prepare the area.  Thank your families for sharing you with us.

Continue to watch this blog for more articles pertaining to emergency preparedness and look forward to next year's exercise.

Correction to paper flyer

***************************************************
Correction to the paper flyer being handed out to the neighborhood.
***************************************************

One discrepancy on the paper flyer --
The title of the top of the flyer has the correct date for the exercise
                               September 21 at 8am.
The 3rd paragraph has the incorrect date.

So the correction should read:

"Please have this flyer taped to your door or window by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2012. (You could even tape it the night before.)" 

We apologize for this error and look forward the emergency exercise this Saturday.  Thank you for your help in making it a success!!

Foothill Area Volunteer

Emergency Prep Committee 

Foothill Area Emergency Response Exercise

Foothill Area Emergency Response Exercise

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Dear Resident,

The Foothill Area in coordination with the Bonneville Hills Community Council, and the Salt Lake Foothill Stake will be conducting an emergency response exercise on Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. A part of the exercise will be to practice the assessment of residents needs and the reporting of these needs to command centers.

We invite you to assist us on the day of the exercise by taping this flyer to a door or window clearly visible from the street. Block Captains and volunteers will be going through the neighborhood counting the number of flyers that are being shown in the windows or on the doors. In an actual emergency, placards will be used to indicate a need for assistance or to let others know that all is OK.

Please have this flyer taped to your door or window by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2012. (You could even tape it the night before.)

We also encourage you to go to the Foothill Area emergency preparedness website at www.SLCFoothillNet.blogspot.com and download the packet titled, “Household Emergency Packet” Parts 1 and 2”. This packet provides information on how the emergency response in our area will be conducted. It also provides information about how to prepare for a future emergency.

The last page of Part 2 has a sheet showing “OK.”  If you print this sheet and tape it to your window or door in place of this flyer, it will provide us with a new item to track as we perform this exercise.

On the day of the exercise (or prior to the exercise) we invite you and all members of your family to do the following:

1.     Go to www.SLCFoothillNet.blogspot.com and download the packet titled, “Household Emergency Packet” Parts 1 and 2”.

2.     Read through the information, discuss with your family your family plan and fill in the information on the form section.

3.     Place the completed packet in one of three locations to assist emergency responders in the event of a disaster:

·         attached to your fridge

·         on the inside of a front hallway coat closet

·         next to their front window

For more information on the emergency response exercise, please contact your Block Captain or Dave Anderson at 801-583-7363.

Your Block Captain:___________________________________

Phone:________________________ Address________________________

Innovating to Improve Disaster Response and Recovery

Last week, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) jointly challenged a group of over 80 top innovators from around the country to come up with ways to improve disaster response and recovery efforts...

Below are some of the ideas that were developed throughout the day. In the case of the first two ideas, participants wrote code and created actual working prototypes.

• A real-time communications platform that allows survivors dependent on electricity-powered medical devices to text or call in their needs—such as batteries, medication, or a power generator—and connect those needs with a collaborative transportation network to make real-time deliveries. 
• A technical schema that tags all disaster-related information from social media and news sites – enabling municipalities and first responders to better understand all of the invaluable information generated during a disaster and help identify where they can help.
• A Disaster Relief Innovation Vendor Engine (DRIVE) which aggregates pre-approved vendors for disaster-related needs, including transportation, power, housing, and medical supplies, to make it as easy as possible to find scarce local resources.
• A crowdfunding platform for small businesses and others to receive access to capital to help rebuild after a disaster, including a rating system that encourages rebuilding efforts that improve the community.
• Promoting preparedness through talk shows, working closely with celebrities, musicians, and children to raise awareness.
• A “community power-go-round” that, like a merry-go-round, can be pushed to generate electricity and additional power for battery-charged devices including cell phones or a Wi-Fi network to provide community internet access.
• Aggregating crowdsourced imagery taken and shared through social media sites to help identify where trees have fallen, electrical lines have been toppled, and streets have been obstructed.
• A kid-run local radio station used to educate youth about preparedness for a disaster and activated to support relief efforts during a disaster that allows youth to share their experiences.

Before ending the brainstorm, participants committed to taking responsibility for turning these ideas into tangible actions. We will be excited to see how these materialize into impactful projects that will support disaster response and recovery efforts. Our sincere thanks to all of the participants!

Information from www.whitehouse.gov
Posted by Todd Park and Rich Serino on September 03, 2013
To read the full article, click on the following link:

Innovating to Improve Disaster Response and Recovery

THUNDERSTORMS – BE AWARE OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT

People are  exposed to certain hazards as they work and play outdoors in open spaces, near or on tall
objects with conductive metal. You should pay attention to thunderstorm storm warning signs such as high winds, dark clouds, rain, and distant thunder.

THUNDERSTORMS:
Thunderstorms affect relatively small areas when compared with hurricanes and winter storms. The typical storm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Despite their small size, ALL thunderstorms are dangerous. Of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms that occur each year in the United States about 10 percent are considered severe. Even in the dissipating stage of a thunder storm, there are risks of lightning.

HAIL:
Sometime hail is created, which causes more than 41 billion in damage to property and crops each year. Large stones fall at speeds faster than 100 mph. Strong rising currents of air within a storm, called updrafts, carry water droplets to a height where freezing occurs. Ice particles grow in size, becoming too heavy to be supported by the updraft, and fall to the ground.

ASSESS YOUR LIGHTNING RISK AND TAKE PRECAUTIONARY ACTION:
During thunderstorms, no place outside is safe. However, you can minimize your risk by assessing the lightning threat and taking appropriate actions. Stop what you’re doing and seek safety in a substantial building.

IF SOMEONE IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING:

• Call for help. Get someone to dial 9-1-1 or your local Emergency medical Services (EMS) number.
• The injured person has received and electrical shock and may be burned, both where they are struck and where the electricity left their body. Check for burns in both places.
• Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR.

SOME BASIC LIGHTNING SAFETY RULES
Delay or postpone outdoor activities if lightning is evident in the immediate area. This is the best way to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation. Move to a sturdy building or vehicle. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertible automobiles. Stay away from tall objects such as towers,  fences, telephone poles, and power lines.

If you cannot get to an appropriate shelter or vehicle, find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding. If you are in the woods, and there are no other alternatives, take shelter under the shorter trees.

Wasatch Fault Fly By Video

Fly along the Wasatch fault in Google earth to explore the earthquake risks along the Wasatch Front in Utah.

Volunteer Efforts Are Crucial

When Disaster Strikes, Volunteer Efforts Are Crucial

LINCROFT, N.J. -- As Superstorm Sandy made landfall in New Jersey last October, many residents who had lived in harmony with the oceans, rivers and bays of New Jersey for decades found themselves in life-threatening situations.

The emergency inspired hundreds of heroic acts. Among them:

• In Brick, a couple who were lifeguards saved some 50 people from the floods.
• A Vespa-riding school teacher carried gas and emergency supplies for people in desperate need of help.
• An off-duty nurse delivered a baby by the side of the road.
• A volunteer firefighter braved chest-deep water to rescue his neighbors.

In all of the areas impacted by the storm, people performed extraordinary acts of bravery and compassion.

Neighbors helped neighbors, community volunteers including first aiders and firefighters worked around the clock to rescue those in need and protect the safety of their neighbors.

And as the wind, rain and flood waters, receded, a veritable army of volunteers joined forces in the recovery effort.

As the one year anniversary of this historic storm approaches, it is a good time to remember and celebrate the role of volunteers in helping the residents of New Jersey meet the enormous challenges they faced in the weeks and months of recovery that followed the storm.

To date, 507 volunteer organizations have participated in the recovery effort in New Jersey. Of those, 124 have reported 166,598 volunteers who have contributed 951,731 hours worth $26.8 million.

“In a disaster such as Superstorm Sandy, the efforts of volunteers are critical to the recovery,” said Gracia Szczech, federal coordinating officer for FEMA in New Jersey. “The work of volunteers contributed substantially to helping New Jerseyans respond to the challenges they faced and begin their recovery.”

A coalition of volunteer organizations, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), has worked with federal, state and local agencies to provide a wide range of services to New Jerseyans as they moved forward with their recovery.

FEMA supported their efforts by identifying populations with access and functional needs, identifying available federal assistance programs and providing coordination and donations management. Together, the agencies form a Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG). FEMA’s Voluntary Agency Liaisons work with the voluntary groups at the state and local levels and also refer people to the LTRG for help with specific needs.

The voluntary organizations’ work includes helping with flood debris cleanup as well as home repairs and reconstruction, providing short-term food, clothing and shelter assistance, and counseling services.

Among the local and national VOAD organizations that have been active in the continuing recovery are: the American Red Cross, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Church World Service, World Renew, UMCOR (United Methodist Church), Mormon Helping Hands, Operation Hope, United Church of Christ, Catholic Charities, NECHAMA (Jewish Response), ICNA (Muslim Humanity) Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity, Lutheran Disaster Response, Presbyterian Disaster Services, the Salvation Army, certain United Way organizations as well as faith-based volunteers from numerous other denominations, individual churches, synagogues and mosques.

Posted from www.fema.com
Release date: AUGUST 23, 2013
Release Number: 4086-211

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA Offers Disaster Preparedness Tips For Parents Of College Students

Families...are preparing to send their sons and daughters off to college – and many of those students will be away from home for the first time.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests that parents should make sure their students will be prepared for emergencies.

Whether it’s as simple as a power outage or as challenging as a storm like Sandy, being prepared can help your college student remain safe and deal calmly with the situation while helping other classmates to do the same.

Having a disaster readiness kit on hand can go a long way toward keeping your student safe and feeling secure in a challenging situation. A kit can be as simple as a backpack containing items like a flashlight, a small radio, extra batteries, a solar-powered or hand-cranked cell phone charger, energy bars, water and first aid supplies.

These days, most colleges have emergency plans that outline procedures in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

Check the college’s website to see if its plans are posted. If not, call the admissions officer to request a copy of the plan and to confirm that your student is registered with its emergency notification system.

Make sure that your son or daughter updates their cell phone contacts and adds an “In Case of Emergency” number in their contact list. Remind them that cell phone service may be unreliable in the aftermath of a disaster. Texting or communicating via social media may be possible when phone calls are not.

Work out a family communications plan with your college-bound student so that she or he will know where to get in touch with you at any time, or where to leave a message if communications between home and school are disrupted.

Prepare an emergency information sheet listing the names, locations and phone numbers for family members, physicians, medical insurance, and other important resources.

Check with your homeowners’ insurance company to see if your policy covers your student’s belongings at school. If not, you may need to purchase an additional rental policy to cover items
in your student’s dorm room.

Advise your student to keep their emergency kit under the bed or on the top shelf of a closet where it will be easily accessible in an emergency.

Ready-made disaster kits designed for students can be ordered from the American Red Cross at www.redcrossstore.org. Information on compiling your own disaster readiness kit is available on the web at www.fema.gov.

For more information on building a basic disaster kit and developing a family communications plan, go to www.ready.gov.

Original article posted from NJTODAY.net

From Chaos to Community Publication

From Chaos to Community is a publication that is intended to help communities ravaged by natural disaster
come together to rebuild and recover.

The contributors to this booklet were inspired and informed by the volunteer efforts of fire survivors from the Altadena, California area who formed under the banner of Eaton Canyon Recovery Alliance and the steady leadership of Ursula Hyman in 1993-96 after massive firestorms wiped out more than 300 local homes. They, in turn, benefited from the community organizing know-how of survivors from the Oakland Hills
(California) wildfires in which wind-fanned flames destroyed some 4,000 homes and structures.

From Chaos to Community represents a small first step in compiling guidance and thoughts for citizens who want to organize and act in ways that make their neighbors and communities whole again.

From Chaos to Community

LDS Emergency Preparedness and Response

Because many of the blog viewers are LDS, I have included a link to lds.org that covers emergency
preparedness and response guidelines from the church.

Members of the Church have been counseled for many years to be prepared for adversity. Preparation, both spiritual and temporal, can dispel fear. With the guidance of Church leaders, individual members and families should prepare to be self-reliant in times of personal or widespread emergency.

LDS Emergency Preparedness and Response

Many Different Uses for Duct Tape

You can do some amazing things with duct tape! Its uses range from house repair, hunting, space travel,
clothing and more! People have used duct tape for every purpose imaginable. That is why duct tape is such a versatile tool to have in your emergency supplies!

Click on the link below and check out 15 of these uses for duct tape that could save your life!  Article posted from TheReadyStore.com.

Duct Tape Could Save Your Life

How to Restore Cast Iron

Check out this useful video on how to restore cast iron...

SLC Fire Department Fireworks Restrictions Map

With the extreme heat wave and the dry conditions, Utah officials are warning residents about the potential fire hazards throughout the state. Each city council has determined the restrictions for fireworks and open fires to meet their safety requirements.

For those who live in Salt Lake City, the SLC Fire Department has included on their website a map showing areas that are off limits for fireworks during the fourth of July and Pioneer Day festivities.  See the link below:

SLC Fire Department

Fireworks Restrictions Map

How to Prepare for Fire Season

Two Thursday night fires in Utah County served as a reminder that fire season is upon the state. Wildfires may not be entirely preventable, but steps can be taken to help prevent fires and to prepare your home and family in case of evacuation...


How can you protect your home?

Creating defensible space around your home can help to save it if a wildfire gets too close. It also provides firefighters with a place from which to fight wildfires.

Doing the following will help create defensible space:

• Remove all flammable vegetation around all structures. Contact your local fire department to find out if there is a minimal amount of clearance required.
• Trim trees so branches are six feet from the ground and 10 feet from your chimney. Remove branches overhanging your roof.
• Call your utility company for help with trees near power lines. Never trim them yourself.
• Remove any dead trees. Cut weeds and dead grasses six inches or shorter.
• Always work early in the morning and make sure your power tools have spark arresters to prevent equipment-caused fires.
• Consider landscaping with fire-resistant plants.
• Clean up plant litter and water properly

Read the full article by Stephanie Grimes on KSL.com by following the link below:

How to Prepare for Fire Season

And another good article:

  

Is Your Family Prepared for a Disaster

"Survival Rules of Three" and "Six Guidelines for Survival"

A member of our emergency communications group,
Rich Finlinson - KG7DEN attended a gathering at the Utah Digital Government Summit, where survival expert, Josh Bernstein gave a presentation.  Here are a couple of Rich's notes.


Survival Rules of Three:

You can survive roughly…

• 30 seconds without taking a breath*
• 3 minutes without a heartbeat
• 3 hours in very hot or cold conditions
• 3 days without water
• 3 weeks without food
• 3 months without companionship

*Now my 2 cents: You can also breathe underwater all you want, as long as you only exhale. If you know you can resurface, you'll be much more comfortable slowly exhaling rather than trying to hold your breath.

Six Guidelines for Survival:

• Establish and respect priorities.
• Eliminate unhelpful concerns.
• Focus on your needs.
• Do more with less.
• If need be, do less with less.
• Never give up.

More about Josh Bernstein here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Bernstein
http://www.boss-inc.com/staff_josh-bernstein_19.html

Josh Bernstein is an American explorer, author, survival expert, anthropologist, and TV host best known as the host of Digging for the Truth. He later appeared for one season as the host of the Discovery Channel's Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein.

Include Pets in Your Preparedness Plan

For millions of animal owners, pets are important members of the household. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire, flood, tornado or terrorist attack could depend on emergency planning done today. Knowing what supplies to have available, how to evacuate with your pets, where your pets will stay and how you will meet your pets’ needs throughout the disaster are all critical questions to address.

All pet owners are urged to keep a pet emergency supply kit, which should include at least a three-day supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container, drinking water, bowls for the food and water, current photos of you and your pets together, physical descriptions of each pet, medication, vaccination records and first aid pet supplies. Also include a leash and a pet carrier that can double as a sleeping area. You should consider comfort items for your pets as well, such as their favorite toys and blankets.

Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can’t care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pets’ emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet your buddy in an emergency.

Evacuating pets may be more difficult if you cannot evacuate in your own vehicle. Pet owners must understand their community’s evacuation plans and ensure they are prepared for any variations and restrictions. If officials call for an evacuation, you should be aware that many evacuation shelters do not accept pets and you must plan where you’ll shelter your pets in advance. Many hotels, motels, campsites and other facilities around the country now allow pets. For information on pet-friendly accommodations in your area, visit www.ready.gov/caring-animals.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov or call the toll-free numbers 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585 and     1-888-SE-LISTO. You can also text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) and sign up to receive monthly disaster safety tips on your mobile phone.

Some information for this posting was used from www.FEMA.gov

Click on the link below to tee this additional story from the American Red Cross:

Pets Ride Out Superstorm Sandy with Their Families

Sticker helps first responders act fast, save lives

Salt Lake City — Car accident victims can now communicate more quickly with first responders, thanks to a new program in Salt Lake City.

It's called the Yellow Dot program, and it prepares drivers and their vehicles to be equipped with vital medical information in case of an emergency. It's especially useful for drivers with medical conditions; first responders can be clued into extenuating circumstances more easily.

Residents can write their medical information on a standardized form and then store it in the glove compartment of their vehicle. Then program participants will place a Yellow Dot sticker on their car in a visible area to indicate they're prepared with the forms.

"We spend a lot of time in our cars, and no matter how safe we try to be, accidents can happen," said Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams. "Paramedics and firefighters are called on to administer medical attention at the scene of an accident; we can help them and ourselves by using Yellow Dot. Participating in this program is an easy way to prevent a bad situation from getting worse."

Article from KSL.com.  To read the full article, click on the link below:

Sticker helps first responders act fast, save lives

Response to Okla. tornado shows why people are awesome

Response to Okla. tornado shows why 

people are awesome.

By Susie Boyce, ksl.com Contributor

DALLAS — “Please tell me you guys are OK.”

“We’re fine. But our house is gone.”

That was the text exchange between Dale Brannon, my brother-in-law, and his friends Chuck and Marie White last Monday, May 20, after a tornado tore through the White’s neighborhood in Moore, Okla.

The Whites, along with Marie’s elderly mother, were at home when they heard on the news that a fierce tornado was heading in their direction. They were advised to drive away or get below ground. If they stayed above ground, they were told, they wouldn't survive.

So the Whites grabbed their cellphones, jumped into their car and proceeded to drive out, around and behind the tornado. After it had passed, they returned to a house and neighborhood that had been reduced to rubble; they couldn’t tell where one house ended and another began.

Follow the link below to KSL.com and continue to read how people have begun to recover from the devastation of this disaster:

                                          Response to Okla. tornado shows 
                                                why people are awesome.

Tech Ready for an Emergency

GET TECH READY

According to The American Red Cross, the internet - including online news sites and social media platforms - is the third most popular way for Americans to gather emergency information and let their loved ones know they are safe.

Through the use of everyday technology, individuals, families, responders and organizations can successfully prepare for, adapt to and recover from disruptions brought on by emergencies and/or disasters. With effective planning, it is possible to take advantage of technology before, during and after a crisis to communicate with loved ones and manage your financial affairs.


FEMA TEXT MESSAGES

Use your cell phone’s text messaging capability to receive text message updates from FEMA (standard message and data rates apply).

Here are basic commands to get started:

• To signup to receive monthly preparedness tips: text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA)
• To unsubscribe (at any time): text STOP to 43362 (4FEMA)

PREPARE YOUR DATA AND DEVICES -- Follow this link for ideas from the American Red Cross on how to prepare yourself digitally for a disaster.

Ready Your Business

Click on the links below to view BeReadyUtah.org for good information on their 12 point program to business continuity planning.

Ready Your Business Flyer

Ready Your Business doc

Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

Preparedness in your Faith...

It doesn't matter where you live, but how you live...

Great Utah Emergency Family Preparedness Expo

For more information, click on the two links below:

• Flyer
• Website

6th Annual Millcreek Township EP Fair

Millcreek Township 
Emergency Preparedness Fair
Saturday, April 27th, 2013
The Home Depot
3398 S Highland Drive
10am to 2pm

Need Help Getting Prepared?

The Millcreek Township Emergency Preparedness Fair has been scheduled for Saturday, April 27th.

What should be in your 72 hour kit?  What preparations should you take in your home?  How can you get training to help your family and your neighbors when the need arises?

Bring the family and learn why and how you should prepare for a natural disaster or a community emergency.  Demonstrations by the United Fire Authority, the Unified Police Deparment and fun for the kids!!

Come and see these Cool Exhibits:   

• Air Med Helicopter - landing at 10:30 am
• Earthquake Simulator 
• UFA Smoke Trailer and UFA Bomb Squad
• UPD Command Center and SWAT Team
• Solar Cooking Demo
• St. Mark's Hospital HazMat Demo
• UHP Seat Belt Crash Demo
• CERT Fire and Cribbing Demo
• Expired RX Drug Drop
• National Guard Climbing Wall
• and more!!!  

Community Emergency Response Training, car safety, earthquake safety and many other exciting and important topics!


Food and drinks will be available from Maverick First Stop.


http://www.canyonrimnews.org/

SL American Red Cross Training

Coupon for Utah Prepare Conference & Expo

Preparing for Disaster - KUED 1 hr documentary

Preparing for Disaster
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013
7pm on KUED Ch. 7

A geological feature known as the Wasatch Fault spans from Southern Idaho to Central Utah. Roughly 80 percent of Utah's population lives along the fault, often in unreinforced masonry homes such as brick.

To bolster community awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters during Utah’s Earthquake Preparedness Month and the Great Shake-Out on April 17, KUED premieres Preparing for Disaster: Starting Now Tuesday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m.

The one-hour documentary includes interviews with the victims of the Christchurch, New Zealand earthquakes, Hurricane Sandy and the Herriman, Utah wildfires. From their stories, along with advice from emergency experts, viewers learn practical tips for starting their own personal emergency plans.

Taking an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness, Preparing for Disaster demonstrates how to create emergency communication plans, and walks viewers through the process of building a 72-hour kit. The program also highlights community efforts to organize and prepare, including a look at the earthquake plan at Salt Lake City’s Madeleine Choir School.

Immediately following the documentary at 8:00 p.m. is Next Steps: Utah Prepares for Disaster, a half-hour follow-up program with a panel of local experts hosted by KUED’s Mary Dickson. “People want to know, ‘What’s the first thing I should do?’” says Dickson. “The answer varies depending on if you’re at home, at work or in school.”

2013 Great Utah ShakeOut

Great Utah Shakeout
April 17th, 2013
10:15am - Drop, Cover and Hold On


You are invited to join thousands of people who will Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:15 a.m. on April 17th* in the 2013 Great Utah ShakeOut!

More than 12.5 million people were registered to participate in ShakeOut drills worldwide in 2011. Participating is a great way for your family or organization to become better prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes.

Go to http://www.shakeout.org/utah/ to see ways in which you can participate.

Scouting For Food 2013

Please Support

Scouting For Food

Saturday, March 23, 2013

                                                                                 

Fill any bag with:

Soup ♦ Beef Stew ♦ Chili ♦ Peanut Butter

Boxed Meals ♦ Canned Fish ♦ Canned Meats

Canned Fruits ♦ Canned Vegetables

We accept commercially packaged, non-perishable food items.

Products low in sodium/sugar/corn syrup are appreciated.

(Please no glass or perishable food items)

Place your food outside your front door for

Boy Scout pick-ups beginning at

9:00 a.m. on March 23, 2013.

Scouting For Food Drive benefits Utah Food Bank,

regional food banks and emergency food pantries across the state.

www.UtahFoodBank.org/Scouting