Author: emergencyprep

San Marcos CERT and MetroNet

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By Scott McClintock

Emergency Operations Coordinator

As Community Emergency Response Teams emerged into American cities in the very early 2000’s, the City of San Marcos was not inclined to take part.  SMFD was extremely busy expanding its staff and facilities to keep up with the surging population.  Additionally, the Department already maintained a corps of retired civilian volunteers, who assisted the Department with daily administrative duties as well as with logistics at fire command posts.

Then in the Spring of 2005, I was hired by the city as an emergency planner in an Continue reading →

CERT

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Mission:  do the greatest good for the greatest number!

Motto:  neighbors helping neighbors

If you think that you can dial 911 and get help immediately after a major disaster, go back to bed.  First responders can not fill all  the demands for needed services.  They will be restricted and overwhelmed.  Also, and it takes time for an organized response to be put in motion.  This can take up to three days.  Many people will be cut off from outside help and we will have to rely on each other.  Family members, co-workers, friends, and neighbors will want to help.   But, untrained and spontaneous help can face serious problems.  For example, after the Mexico City earthquake volunteers saved 800 people.  Unfortunately, 100 people died while trying to save others.  This could have been prevented if the volunteers were trained.  This is where CERT comes to the rescue!

If you are the “helper” kind who likes to be in the thick of things getting your hand dirty and can think on your feet, CERT is for you.  Find the free CERT training through your local fire department.  The program teaches emergency skills that will allow you to help yourself and others.  It is practical training that allow citizens to function effectively during a disaster, and to make a real difference.  I took the course in 2006 given by James Beebe of North County CERT.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned so much.  I recommend it highly.  You are not required to join a CERT team after the training.  This knowledge can help you, and those around you during an emergency.  You will be trained in the following: Continue reading →

The Great California Shakeout

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October 15, 2009, 10:15 a.m.

Over 6.9 million Californians participated in the largest earthquake drill ever.  In 2008 nearly 5.5 million participated.  We are high risk for earthquakes and the purpose of the drill was to practice how to protect yourself during an earthquake, as well as to practice other aspects of emergency preparedness.  We need practice to be able to react quickly in the event of an actual emergency.  This practice drill was done in homes, schools, and work places.  Let’s us all participate in 2010.

What To Do

“Triangle of Life”

theory is not supported

by any reputable emergency organization.

 

 

E-World Recyclers (Vista, CA 2008)

Take Care

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sarej (sxc.hu)

Riley M. Lorimer, “Take Care,” New Era, Jul 2007, 34–37

You only get one body. Here are some tips for taking care of yours.

Elliot Grow had it made.  The summer before his senior year of high school, he was an aspiring lacrosse player with a promising future, and it looked like he just might land a starting spot on his school’s basketball team as well.  But calamity struck for Elliot one day in June when Continue reading →

Ward Emergency Preparedness Plan

emergencyprep81 Comments
voidx (sxc.hu)

I was given a 16 page emergency response plan to work from.  It stated that our first obligation was to family and then to friends and neighbors.   After that, we were to assist ward and stake members.  It suggested we have a plan in place before an emergency actually occurred.  The following was the chain of command for the first hours after a disaster.  Within 24 hours a follow up would be done by home and visiting teachers.  They would give a more detailed report to the bishop and stake president.  The emergency director was to be the presiding priesthood authority and the following was the Continue reading →

Family Home Storage Message from the First Presidency

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Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience.  He has lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.

We encourage Church members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.

We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings.  Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once.  With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.

We realize that some of you may not have financial resources or space for such storage. Some of you may be prohibited by law from storing large amounts of food.  We encourage you to store as much as circumstances allow.

May the Lord bless you in your home storage efforts.

The First Presidency

THE BASICS OF FAMILY HOME STORAGE Continue reading →

To Men of the Priesthood

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President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, November, 2002

Brethren, I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family.

None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment may affect any of us.

We have a great welfare program with facilities for such things as grain storage in various areas. It is important that we do this. But the best place to have some food set aside is within our homes, together with a little money in savings. The best welfare program is our own welfare program. Five or six cans of wheat in the home are better than a bushel in the welfare granary. Continue reading →

Water is the Most Important Item to Store

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Kriss Szkurlatowski

Loss of safe drinking water can be deadly. Most people, with few exceptions, will be feeling the effects if they do without water for more than 36 hours. Dehydration occurs much quicker than starvation. Our bodies can tolerate the loss of food much better.

With an ample water supply, starvation is delayed many days, even weeks.

The City water supply is vulnerable to the effects of a large earthquake. Contaminants can get into the drinking water supply through ruptures in the pipes, through the mixing up of sediments, through the adulteration of filtering systems, etc. Now, we take our water for granted. That will be dangerous after a big quake.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I STORE? Continue reading →

Cooking with Basic Food Storage

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Tips…………………………………………………………………………………….2

Whole wheat…………………………………………………………………………3

Legumes………………………………………………………………………………7

Rice…………………………………………………………………………………….9

Oats……………………………………………………………………………………10

Powdered milk……………………………………………………………………..12

Soup mix……………………………………………………………………………..15

Pasta…………………………………………………………………………………..16

Dried apples…………………………………………………………………………16

Cornmeal……………………………………………………………………………..18

Flour basics………………………………………………………………………….18

Honey………………………………………………………………………………….19

Sourdough……………………………………………………………………………19

Dry-pack product directions (for selected items) ………………………..20 Continue reading →

Guidelines for Ward and Stake Emergency Plans

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Wards and stakes should have a plan in the event of an emergency.  Plans are prepared by ward and stake welfare committees under the direction of the bishop or stake president.  Plans should be updated periodically.  The following should be included:

  • Disasters likely to occur and response actions needed.
  • Assignment of responsibilities to priesthood and Relief Society.
  • Maps, addresses, and contact information of members.
  • Procedure to account for missionaries and members following a disaster.
  • A list of members with special needs.
  • Procedures to assist members who may experience emotional trauma.
  • A list of members with available resources such as medical training or the ability to operate heavy equipment.
  • How stake leaders will contact the area office (outside the United States and Canada) or Church headquarters (United States and Canada) following a disaster.
  • Contact information for the local government, the Red Cross, and other emergency response agencies.
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