Before an Earthquake

Source: FEMA

During our most recent class a desire was expressed to learn more about earthquakes because we live on a fault line. Also, if you have noticed, the earth seems to be moving a lot recently.There have been 11 large quakes between 4.0 and 7.2  reported since the beginning of January. Earthquakes are measured on a scale of 1-10. The most recent was a small quake on 25 February 2011, west of Price, Utah. Below is a map of the earthquakes along the fault that we live on. The USGA rates Utah as having a high risk of experiencing earthquakes.

 I have included some basics about earthquakes that might be helpful to know and what we should do before, during and after a quake and what I am doing here at home.

Before a quake, there are several things that we can do to make our homes safer. By identifying these potential hazards and planning, we can reduce or eliminate the chance of serious injury or death. Here are some steps that FEMA has suggested we take.

1. Check for Hazards in the Home
   • Fasten shelves securely to walls.
   • Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
   • Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
   • Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
   • Brace overhead light fixtures.
   • Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
   • Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
   • Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
   • Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
2. Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors
   • Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
   • Against an inside wall.
   • Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
   • In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.
3. Educate Yourself and Family Members
   • Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes. Also read the "How-To Series" for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes.
   • Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
   • Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
4. Have Disaster Supplies on Hand
   • Flashlight and extra batteries.
   • Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
   • First aid kit and manual.
   • Emergency food and water.
   • Nonelectric can opener.
   • Essential medicines.
   • Cash and credit cards.
   • Sturdy shoes.
5. Develop an Emergency Communication Plan
   • In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
   • Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Tomorrow I will focus on how to protect ourselves during an earthquake.

This is why we need a CERT program in Provo. This could happen to us and how great it would be to be organized in the chaos this creates. Thanks to all of you who are trained and continue to be involved.  I look forward to future drills that will help us prepare.

6.3 quake rocks New Zealand city; fatalities reported

www.msnbc.msn.com

A large temblor rocked the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch, crumbling buildings, causing fatalities and injuring dozens.

Payson Preparedness Fair March 5th

There will be a Preparedness Fair in Payson on Saturday, March 5th from 10:00 am- 3:00 pm.  There will be police, fire, cert, ambulance, tables with solar flashlights and water purifiers, 72 hour food kits, and fire starters, reusable canning lids, cylinder stoves, fire stryker tools, Springville cannery, back packs, info on home canning, demonstrations on making fire without matches, and more. Come join the fun and learn how to do something that you didn't know how to do before. See you there!

In the Beginning....

I saw the announcement for CERT class and thought it would be interesting. So I cleared my schedule and attended class. I fell in love. I love the subject matter, I love the fire guys, I love the people I went to class with. And because I love my family, each week I went home from class and did something to help my family be a little more prepared.

First week, I went home and we talked and made a family plan. I got online and went to bereadyutah.gov and used the site to print off our family plan and also a card with our information on it that we could each carry in our wallet or purse.

Second week, fire week, I bought fire extinguishers for the house and cars.

Third and fourth week was medical. I practiced my bandaging skills on my hubby and made first aid kits for the house and cars.

Fifth week, search and rescue: I bought a couple 2 x 4's and we cut them into pieces for cribbing. Over the summer as I had some 4x4's left from a project, we added to it.

Sixth week, CERT organization: I asked a lot of questions and left class feeling overwhelmed and confused as to what to do next. The teachers said that how we organize our neighborhood is up to us. Two of my classmates and I started working up a plan for our neighborhood, typed up cover letters, put on our vests and started walking our neighborhood. We passed out information on CERT, explained what we would like to do for a neighborhood plan and got to know our neighbors. We also set up a display at a preparedness fair and talked to anyone who came by. This took a couple of months.

Seventh week is disaster psychology and terrorism class. Interesting. When they showed a video to emphasis that we are going to see things that are going to be upsetting. I cried. I admit it. All I could see was that a mother lost a child. If I can relate it to me in any way, I will cry. I went home hugged my kids, put all our important documents in a binder and worked on my plan to round out my storage. I set some more preparedness goals.

Mock disaster week was enlightening. Kids came and acted as our victims and we rescued and treated them. It was cold and chaotic. And as we ran the scenario the second time, it cemented in my brain that the more we practiced, the easier this would be to deal with if we had to do it in real time. After I got home that night, and for the next three nights, I woke up in a panic in the middle of the night having dreams that there was a disaster and all those kids that I know, were hurt. I always have been fabulous in a crisis and can do whatever needs to be done but when the crisis is done, I weep. My way of handling stress. Apparently, mock or real, my brain can't tell the difference and it bothered me. I did recognize though, that with repetition, this would be easier in the long run on me because it would bother me less. I could see that more people need to know these skills and about this program. I decided that I was going to help make this program as successful it could be and so I went to the next class. And the next and the next and so on.

Now, I feel like the CERT mascot. I go to class and I help with the activities. I help things stay organized and do whatever odd job needs to be done. I connect with the people who come to class and answer questions. I talk and walk CERT.

 I want to help people be more prepared and so I try to spread the word.

Because I know that one can make a difference.