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.”