Sunday, August 31, 2014

Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare



September is National Preparedness Month. This year's theme is "Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare." Ready.gov will focus on the following topics:

Week 1 - How to reconnect with family after a disaster.

Week 2 - How to plan for specific needs before a disaster.

Week 3 - How to build an emergency kit.

Week 4 & 5 - How to practice for an emergency.

For more information, click on the link below:

Emergency Preparedness at Work and School

"Natural disasters and emergencies may not normally occur while you are at home where your emergency supplies and food storage are kept. Because of this, it is important to have an emergency plan for the various places your family spends time. Our homes, schools and workplaces should have site-specific preparations for an emergency."

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Emergency Essentials has posted a great article for thoughts on what to include in these kits.  Click on the link below to read the article:




Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Water Barrel Stands




Water Barrel Stands


Short on space but want more water barrels? Then perhaps these Water Barrel Stand Plans could be what you’re looking for. This article shows you how to build stands in order to stack 55 gallon barrels one atop another, even several wide.

Remember that water is very heavy (one filled 55 gallon drum weights about 450 pounds) so be sure you follow the directions carefully and don’t cut corners.










Click this link for a printer friendly copy of instructions





See a quick view of the instructions below










Saturday, August 16, 2014

Earthquakes - Tips For Preparing Children


Children need to be prepared for
an earthquake as much as adults, if not more.

Infants and Toddlers

For infants and toddlers, special emphasis should be placed on making their environment as safe as
possible.

  • Cribs should be placed away from windows and tall, unsecured bookcases and shelves that could slide or topple.
  • A minimum of a 72-hour supply of extra water, formula, bottles, food, juices, clothing, disposable diapers, baby wipes and prescribed medications should be stored where it is most likely to be accessible after an earthquake.  Also keep an extra diaper bag with these items in your car.
  • Store strollers, wagons, blankets and cribs with appropriate wheels to evacuate infants, if necessary.
  • Install bumper pads in cribs or bassinets to protect babies during the shaking.
  • Install latches on all cupboards (not just those young children can reach) so that nothing can fall on your baby during a quake.


Preschool and School-age Children

By age three or so, children can understand what an earthquake is and how to get ready for one.  Take the time to explain what causes earthquakes in terms they’ll understand. Include your children in family discussions and planning for earthquake safety. Conduct drills and review safety procedures every six months.

  • Show children the safest places to be in each room when an earthquake hits. Also show them all possible exits from each room.
  • Use sturdy tables to teach children to Duck, Cover & Hold.
  • Teach children what to do wherever they are during an earthquake (at school, in a tall building, outdoors).
  • Make sure children’s emergency cards at school are up-to-date.
  • Although children should not turn off any utility valves, it’s important that they know what gas smells like. Advise children to tell an adult if they smell gas after an earthquake.



Sunday, August 10, 2014

Community Preparedness Workshop

Community Preparedness Workshop
Saturday, August 16, 2014


Public Safety Building
475 S 300 E
Salt Lake City, UT

Dear Salt Lake City Community Members,

The 3nd Quarter 2014 Community Preparedness Workshop has been scheduled. Please join us at the workshop on Saturday, August 16, 2014. Continental breakfast will be offered at 8:00 am. Welcome and opening address will begin at 8:30.

This workshop will be divided into three sessions. The first session will cover the proper use of FRS radios. If you have an FRS radio, bring it to the workshop. The second session will present the Fix-the-Bricks program. This program was designed to provide some basic tools to enable residents to do a preliminary assessment in determining potential structural impact of a 7.0 seismic event. The third session will be presented by structural engineer Glen Palmer. Mr. Palmer will continue the topic of structural seismic stability addressing considerations Salt Lake residents should make and steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of a seismic event to homes and buildings.

Please visit www.slcgov.com/em as soon as possible to register to attend the workshop. State “yes” or “no” in the comment section to indicate if you will be attending the breakfast. Please pass this on to anyone you feel would be interested in attending.

                                                                                                                                

Community Preparedness Workshop
Agenda

Saturday, August 16, 2014
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Public Safety Building
475 S 300 E
Salt Lake City, UT


  • 8:00          Sign-in & Light continental breakfast/ Welcome & Open Meeting – 
    • John Flynt/Mayor’s Office
  • 8:30           Emergency Radio Communications: How to Use FRS – 
    • Susan Smith

Numerous types of radio services are available for emergency communications.The Family Radio Service (FRS) is used for casual and emergency purposes by families, neighbors and CERTs. Pros, cons and how-to's of FRS will be covered in this presentation. If you have an FRS radio, bring it to the workshop. If you don't, this presentation may help you decide whether to get one or not.

  • 9:30           Break
  • 9:45           Fix-the-Bricks – John Flynt

This program was designed to provide some basic tools to enable residents to do a preliminary assessment in determining potential structural impact of a 7.0 seismic event. 

  • 10:45           Break
  • 11:00           Palmer Engineering – Glen Palmer

This session will be presented by structural engineer Glen Palmer. Mr. Palmer will continue the topic of structural seismic stability addressing considerations Salt Lake residents should make and steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of a seismic event to homes and buildings. A Q&A will follow.

  • 12:00           Adjourn 

Free parking is available immediately to the right as you turn on to Blair St. from 400 South, in the small parking lot to the east of Blair St. on the east side of the Public Safety Building, and on 500 South beside the Public Safety Building.

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.

Any questions, please contact:

John Flynt
Preparedness Coordinator
Salt Lake City Office of Emergency Management
801-799-3604
john.flynt@slcgov.com



Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Another Example Of Why To Store Water

As If we haven't heard enough in the news about contaminated water supplies...here is a situation 
closer to home as reported by KSL.com








For more information on how to store water for emergencies, click on the link below:











Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Ham Radio Class in August





Ever had an interest in 
Amateur Radio?







Ever wanted to learn how we will 
Communicate 
relief efforts in a major disaster??







Ever wanted to add radio 
communications to your 
CERT skills













An amateur radio "Technician license" course is being taught this month over the course of two Fridays and two Saturdays.

Beginning:             Friday, August 15th from 6pm to 9pm
       continuing               Saturday, August 16th from 9am to 5pm
               continuing             Friday, August 22nd from 6pm to 9pm
                       and finishing       Saturday August 23rd from 9am until 12pm noontime.

Location:    Wasatch Presbyterian Church
                    1700 South 1700 East, Salt Lake City

Cost:            $45 which includes - Instruction, Manual, Exam Fee and Door Prizes

Taught by:    Eugene and Carol Mc Wherter

If you are interested, please send an email to dave.anderson.1@comcast.net including your name and phone number.  Your information will be forwarded to the class organizers.

Thanks.

Disaster Planning for Older Adults

Natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes create special challenges for older adults, their caregivers, and their families. Older adults need to have the same basic disaster supply kit as everyone else. Basic supply lists are available from a number of sources, but the list available at the American Red Cross website serves as the model (http://www.redcross.org/).

The elderly may have special needs that go beyond the basic supplies list. The following tips were recommended by the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for people with disabilities and can apply to many older adults.



Disaster Planning Tips
Special Tips for Older Adults
Water
·         1 gallon per person per day
·         Store at least 3–5 days’ worth. A two-week supply is ideal.
·         Use for drinking and sanitation.
·         Store extra water if you have pets.
·         Water from swimming pools and spas can be used only for flushing toilets.
·         Dehydration is a serious health problem for older adults. If possible, store more than the recommended amount.
·         Gallon jugs of water are heavy. Use containers that are small enough to easily handle, such as clean and sanitized two-liter plastic soda bottles, if you choose not to purchase commercial water storage containers.
·         Be certain that the caps are easy to remove by persons with arthritis.
Food
Store at least a 3–5 day supply of non-perishable foods with selections from all food groups. Examples include:
·         Grains - breads, dry cereals, crackers, biscuits
·         Vegetables - canned (your favorites)
·         Fruits - canned (in juice) and dried
·         Milk - canned and boxed shelf-stable; consider small sizes
·         Meat and Beans - jerky, canned beans, canned tuna and chicken, shelf-stable chicken, nuts and seeds, peanut and nut butters
·         Consider special dietary needs, such as low-sodium, high-fiber, or other special foods.
·         Store small cans of food that can be eaten at one meal or snack.
·         Have a manual can opener that is easy to use.
First Aid Kits:
1 for home
1 for car
To assemble your own first aid kit, include the following:
·         Adhesive bandages, various sizes
·         Sterile dressings
·         Conforming roller gauze bandages
·         Triangular bandages
·         Sterile gauze pads, various sizes
·         Cotton balls
·         Cohesive bandage roll
·         Germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer
·         Antiseptic wipes
·         Medical grade non-latex gloves
·         Adhesive tape
·         Antibacterial ointment
·         Cold pack
·         Thermometer
·         Scissors (small, personal)
·         Tweezers
·         Assorted sizes of safety pins
·         CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield
·         Sunscreen
·         Flashlight and extra batteries
·         Whistle to signal for help
·         Buy a prepared kit and add anything different that you might need.
·         If using a kit you have, restock used or expired supplies.
Contacts:
Who to notify in an emergency
·         All doctors' names, phone numbers, addresses, and what they treat you for (e.g., cardiologist)
·         Phone numbers of a few in- and out-of-town relatives or close friends
·         Keep all these lists in a waterproof plastic bag or container.

Important
papers
·         Identification cards
·         Insurance cards
·         Birth/death/marriage certificates
·         Social security card
·         Bank account and credit card information
·         Keep all documents in waterproof plastic bags or containers.
Also include:
·         Medicare and/or Medicaid cards
·         Living will and medical power of attorney
·         Veteran's papers
Electronics
·         Battery-powered radio and/or television
·         Cell phone and chargers for the house and car
·         Extra batteries for each electronic device
·         Battery-powered wheelchair
·         Learn how to connect and start backup power supply for wheelchair or other necessary medical equipment.
·         Have a manual wheelchair for backup.
Time
passers
·         Board games, puzzles, playing cards
·         Books
·         Paper and pens for letters and notes; envelopes and stamps
·         Sewing, crocheting, knitting supplies
·         Paperback books weigh less than hardcover books.
·         E-book readers store hundreds of books (but do need charging).
Medical
 needs
·         Lists of prescription medications and dosage
·         Doctors' and pharmacy phone numbers and addresses
·         Extra glasses
·         Pain relievers
·         Stomach medicine
·         Poison-response drugs
·         Supplements
·         Check expiration dates and replace as needed.
·         Extra hearing aid batteries
·         Medical alert tag or bracelet
·         Wheelchair batteries
·         List of serial numbers and styles of medical devices (e.g., pacemakers)
·         Photocopies of all prescription drugs with dosage, directions, interactions, refill dates
·         Consult with your doctor about which non-prescription drugs and supplements are safe for you.
·         Minimum 2-week supply of all essential medications
People with special needs
Persons with Diabetes
·         Keep travel packs of insulin in the refrigerator.
·         Testing supplies (enough for at least 2 weeks)
·         Extra batteries for your meter
·         Insulin-delivery supplies
·         Insulin
·         Lancets and lancing device
·         Oral medications
·         Quick-acting source of glucose
·         Extra glucagon emergency kit
·         Medical waste container for used needles
·         Keep insulin as cool as possible; if on ice, be careful not to freeze.
·         If necessary, insulin may be stored at room temperature (59°F–86°F) for 28 days.
·         Do not use insulin that clumps or sticks to the side of the bottle.
Persons with Alzheimer's
·         Register with local police and fire departments.
·         ID bracelet or necklace indicating special or peculiar behaviors (e.g., memory loss)
·         Written instructions for reaching family members, friends, and physicians
Bedbound Persons
·         Emergency transportation plan
·         Supplies of daily care items - bed pads, adult diapers, linens (enough for at least 2 weeks)
·         Dietary needs
Oxygen-Dependent
·         Oxygen supplies (including alternate power source such as a battery)
·         Extra water for oxygen condensers
Persons with Incontinence
·         Incontinence undergarments
·         Disposable wipes
·         Cleansing products
Emotional support/Stress reduction
·         Special photos
·         Spiritual support
·         A special memento
·         Comfort food
·         Addresses and phone numbers of friends
·         Keep a journal about your experience.
·         Form an informal "support group" to share concerns and information.
·         Write letters to your grandchildren or other family and friends.
Pets
·         Extra food in plastic containers
·         Carrier
·         ID tags (2 sets, one on the animal and one extra) with name and your contact information
·         Proof of ownership (e.g., registration papers and pictures)
·         Medications and pet first aid supplies
·         Medical and vaccination records
·         Veterinarian's phone number and address

Evacuation
·         Have backpacks handy to put supplies, clothing, and bedding in if you must evacuate or move to a shelter.
·         Plan in advance for someone to care for your pet if pets are not welcome at the shelter.
·         Prearrange transportation with neighbors.
·         Identify local shelters that accommodate older adults and persons with disabilities.

List posted from the following link: