In an emergency you need the cold, hard facts. That’s what I’m going to give to you over the next several weeks as I take Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, training in Marysville, along with two dozen other residents. Much of this information is available online but in a disaster your computer may not work. My hope is you will cut out the stories, put them somewhere safe and in a disaster they will help you, your family, friends and neighbors.
1. Make a plan. The government will not be here to help, at least for awhile. Fire, police and public utilities will be overwhelmed. Think about what you would do if a disaster happened while you are at home, work, on the road, etc. What would you do if it was an earthquake, oil tanker explosion or some other type of emergency.
Your plan should include:
•Two meeting places. The front yard should be one so neighbors can see you are OK. But if that’s where the disaster is another spot is needed.
•An out-of-state contact person. Local lines are flooded in a disaster. Call, or better yet text, the contact person so everyone knows you are OK.
•Turn off electric, natural gas, water and other utilities.
Your survival techniques will be different depending on the type of disaster and where you are. Transportation likely will be compromised and stores will be closed due to no electricity. You will need to be prepared to survive on your own. So you need to …
2. Make a disaster kit. We’ve all heard it before, but who does it? Do it. If you can’t afford to buy all the stuff at once, get it over a period of time. Whatever you have is better than what you have now.
Essentials include:
•A gallon of water for drinking and cleaning for each person for at least three days.
•At least a three-day supply of non-perishable dried and canned foods (non-electric can opener) for each person; propane grill or something to cook on; don’t forget pets and dietary needs.
•toilet paper, soaps, bleach, cleaning supplies.
•first aid supplies, along with medications and eye glasses.
•warm clothing, shoes, socks, hats, sleeping bags or blankets.
•supplies like radios and batteries, dust mask, flashlights, wrenches, duct tape, tarp, fire extinguisher, waterproof matches, extra house and car keys.
•important papers such as identification, insurance, medical information, cash, etc.
Other tips include:
•In an earthquake drop, get under cover to avoid falling items and hold on.
•In a disaster hospitals are packed. Triage often takes place in their parking lots.
•Keep an evacuation kit in a backpack in your car for shorter emergencies.
Chris Badger, who taught the first night of CERT class Sept 22, explained the cold, hard fact of our training that we won’t be learning CPR. That is because in a disaster we will be trying to save the greatest number of people.
“CPR takes a lot of resources,” she said.
If you think preparing for a disaster is difficult, try explaining why you didn’t.
