Posts Tagged ‘emergency preparedness’

High School Student on Emergency Preparedness

Posted on: January 2nd, 2010 By: Paul Joshua | No Comments

The Laguna Beach Independent in California reports that Brad Itnyre, a local high school junior, wrote emergency preparedness guidelines to help families prepare for disasters if they must live away from their home for three to five days. The guidelines begin with a recommendation to have an emergency survival kit with vital supplies. Next, Itnyre recommends the following:

For those who prepare ahead of time, surviving outside of their home can be easy. If there is access to a car, it can provide good shelter, the engine and heater can be run periodically in areas with a cold climate. Dangerous areas, such as damaged or destroyed buildings and places filled with hazardous items, should be avoided.

Before sleeping, make sure the shelter is not in an area where something could harm its occupants. If possible, stay in one place and do not move around, since you will be easier to find you stay in one place.

These are great tips and advice. It’s important that all children that age and even younger are well versed on what to do when disaster strikes. Don’t just buy and store your children’s survival kit. Pull it out and train them on what’s in it, how to use it, and go into great detail on plans to survive during an emergency.

Source:
http://www.lagunabeachindependent.com/news/2009-12-11/School_(and)_Sports/Students_Guide_Prepares_Residents_for_the_Next_Dis.html

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Ice Storm Emergency Preparedness

Posted on: January 1st, 2010 By: Paul Joshua | No Comments

Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray of Massachusetts announced the release of $5.5 million toward the state’s share of reimbursements for expenses incurred by 165 communities across the state:

“When we woke up on Dec. 12, we were facing an unprecedented challenge,” Mr. Murray said. “In the days and weeks that followed, 350,000 households were without power.” Including, he noted, his own home — for five days.

According to the state, the ice storm of 2008 was Massachusetts’ most expensive disaster. Mr. Murray said the state continues to learn the total costs of the storm, as some repairs are unfinished. He said the total cost of what the 1,500 responding Army and Air National Guard members nicknamed “Big Ice” is expected to be $75 million.

As you can see, ice storms should not be taken lightly. It should be considered a part of your emergency preparedness plans, whether you live in the Northeast or another part of the country. One of the major ways to prepare for ice storms is to have supplies on hand for when the power goes out.

Even the lieutenant governor didn’t have power for 5 days. Could you survive for that long, or even longer, with what you have right now? Do you have the right survival kits to withstand an ice storm?

Source:
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091211/NEWS/912110428/1116

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You’re on Your Own in an Emergency

Posted on: December 28th, 2009 By: Paul Joshua | No Comments

Emergency preparedness is a hot topic these days for many local government officials and spokespersons. A lot of grant money and other funds are going towards informing the public at large to be prepared. It’s as if they’re gearing up for the real possibility of emergencies occurring, and acknowledging at the same time that there are not enough first responders to help everyone. That’s being admitted in several statements in various communities across the globe. For example, Sybille Sanderson, the public safety education coordinator for the Cowichan Valley Regional District in Canada, warned residents of the need to prepare themselves for emergencies.

“If there’s an earthquake, how many here would be prepared?” Sanderson asked. “What we’re encouraging is that you don’t wait until you run out of food before you stock up and that you learn about what other things you can do to be best prepared.”

She said that if, for example, there is an earthquake — which experts say is inevitable on Vancouver Island — the likelihood of emergency crews being able to offer immediate help will likely be remote, so that means people will have to take care of themselves for days or even weeks.

She went on to state that individuals had better be ready to help each other rather than rely on police and firefighters. She’s absolutely right. Do you have the supplies and skills to respond to emergencies in your home and neighborhood?

Source:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/lakecowichangazette/news/78777457.html

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New York’s Emergency Preparedness

Posted on: December 28th, 2009 By: Paul Joshua | No Comments

The state of New York is the recipient of more than $344.7 million in federal grants from the Department of Homeland Security. It’s a preparedness grant of sorts, giving the monies necessary to train and equip first responders in emergencies:

“New Yorkers know all too well the evils of terrorism as the City and State remain a target for those who would cause us harm. And it is especially gratifying to see that our partners at the federal Department of Homeland Security recognize that too,” Governor Paterson said. “That is why these funds are so vital in the continuing effort to enhance our readiness and response capabilities to protect our citizens. These funds will help make sure that our valiant first responders have the tools and training they need to protect our State from potential acts of terror.

“These grants play a major role in our efforts to work with our state, local, tribal and territorial and private sector partners to build a national culture of readiness and resilience,” DHS Secretary Napolitano said in making the national target awards announcement this morning.

New York is one of many states to receive similar grants. If the government is putting so much money into emergency preparedness at the state level, shouldn’t that motivate individuals and families to get prepared as well? At the very least, it’s implicitly a warning that we all could find ourselves in a crisis, whether naturally caused or man-made.

Source: http://www.wbng.com/news/state/78802217.html

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