The term refers to the steps you take to make sure you are safe before, during and after an emergency or natural disaster. These plans are important for your safety in both natural disasters and man-made disasters. Examples of natural disasters are floods, blizzards, tornadoes and earthquakes. Man-made disasters can include explosions, fires, chemical and biological attacks.
emergency preparedness
How to Jump from a Moving Car
Hurling yourself from a moving car should be a last resort, for example if your gbrakes are defective and your car is about to head off a cliff or into a train.
- Apply the emergency brake. This may not stop the car, but it might slow it down enough to make jumping safer.
- Open the car door.
- Make sure you jump at an angle that will take you out of the path of the car. Since your body will be moving at the same velocity as the car, you’re going to continue to move in the direction the car is moving. if the car is going straight, try to jump at an angle that will take you away from it.
- Tuck in your head and your arms and legs.
- Aim for a soft landing site: grass, brush, wood chips, anything but pavement – or a tree. Stunt people wear pads and land in sandpits. You won’t have this luxury, but anything that gives a bit when the body hits it will minimize injury.
- Roll when you hit the ground.
Source: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
Self Reliance
Provide for Self and Family
Church members are responsible for their own spiritual and temporal well-being. Blessed with the gift of agency, they have the privilege of setting their own course, solving their own problems, and striving to become self-reliant. Members do this under the inspiration of the Lord and with the labor of their own hands.
Elements of Self Reliance
Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the necessities of life for self and family. As members become self-reliant, they are also better able to serve and care for others.
Some of the areas in which members should become self-reliant are: Continue reading
Flood
Watches and Warnings
What to do
When a flood WATCH is issued
- Move valuable household possessions to the upper floors of your home.
- Fill your car’s gas tank in the event an evacuation order is issued.
When a flood WARNING is issued
- Tune in for information and advice to local radio and TV stations.
- When told to evacuate, do so as quickly as possible.
When a flash flood WATCH is issued
- Watch for signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice.
When a flash flood WARNING is issued
- If you believe flash flooding has begun, evacuate immediately as you may have only seconds to escape.
- Move to higher ground and away from rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains.
- Do not drive around barricades. These are placed to keep you out of harm’s way.
- If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES)
Emergency Sanitation
- sabiec (sxc.hu)
Dave & Peggy Balmforth
Shelley Idaho South Stake
October, 2009
One of the most important aspects of sanitation is waste, which is the predominant cause of disease after an emergency. The three most important things to do are: Continue reading
Long Term Food Storage
Long term storage means a supply of food that will last a long time, and that you can survive on. Of course, they must be properly packaged and stored in a cool dry place. Some recommended containers are #10 cans, foil pouches, or PETE bottles. Sometimes plastics buckets can be used.
For more information talk to your Relief Society, Self Reliance/Emergency Preparedness Specialist, Cannery Coordinator, visit providentliving.org, or just ask me. Continue reading
During an Earthquake
What to Do During an Earthquake
Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe. Continue reading
Earthquake Safety Steps
Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety
These steps were developed by members of the Earthquake Country Alliance and are based on many existing resources and the advice of many organizations. Earthquake Country Alliance member have specific things they need to do before, during, and after an earthquake so as to reduce earthquake damage and injuries, and to speed recovery. But, you need to do your part.
1. Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them.
2. Create a disaster-preparedness plan.
3. Prepare disaster supplies kits.
4. Identify your building’s potential weaknesses and begin to fix them.
5. Protect yourself during earthquake shaking- drop, cover, and hold on.
6. After the earthquake, check for injuries and damage.
7. When safe, continue to follow your disaster preparedness plan.
Source: Putting Down Roots in Earthquake CountryDomestic Terrorism
DOMESTIC TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS
Images of airliners used as missiles in terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon as well as bombing attacks on the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the Olympic Centennial Park in Atlanta are hard to forget. These terrorist events caused thousands of deaths and injuries and billions of dollars in property losses. They have also inflicted a huge emotional toll within the impacted communities as well as throughout the world. The FBI defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” A significant terrorism threat we face today is that of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and these consist of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) weapons.
Although bombing has been the most popular method used in terrorist incidents in the United States, Continue reading
CERT
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
LDS Emergency Preparedness 