Tune-Up Time

Every now and then it’s a great idea to “tune-up” your supplies.  A few weeks back I wrote about building a “Get Home Bag.”  Many preppers have a “Bug Out Bag” they keep stocked and ready to grab in the event they have to evacuate.  Mine is a “Get Home Bag” in case something happens when I’m away from home and need a few things with which to survive so I can get home.  In my case I usually have one or more of my grandkids along wherever I am and sooner or later one of them needs a Band-Aid, or a Tylenol (or similar pill) or I find myself using my flashlight or someone needs a knife.  You get the picture.  

Now would be a good time to bring your bag to the kitchen table, (tell your wife I said it was ok and that you’ll clean it all up right away) empty it out and go through your stuff.  Be on the lookout for jerky that’s way past it’s “best by” date, or stale crackers and any other food that is no longer edible for whatever reason.  Make a note to replenish and add to the food items you carry with you.  Check out those little packages of tuna and crackers the next time you’re at the store.  Some contain mayonnaise and even relish to mix and put on the crackers.  They’re a great snack and come in handy when the grandkids need a snack even when there’s no emergency.  Hey when a kid is hungry and you’re out somewhere, that IS an emergency!  I personally carry a couple cans of Spam in my bag.  Most of the American population goes into “Yuck!” mode when Spam is mentioned, but when sliced and fried, I convinced my kids it was “camping bacon”.   Some folks I met from New Zealand had purchased two cases of this delicacy and were shipping it home (at considerable expense) because they couldn’t get Spam at home. Don’t turn up your nose too quickly, it is protein and stores handily for a reasonable period of time.  

Then pick up a few extra Band-Aids and re-supply your First Aid kit. You DO have a First Aid kit don’t you?  Research shows that 44% of households in the U.S. don’t own a First Aid kit.   Make sure those little bags of gauze pads and other items are still sealed and not torn open or have otherwise lost their sterile integrity.  If your insect repellent is of the aerosol variety, check to insure it hasn’t all leaked out for some reason.  Consider buying the little pads that are just wiped on the skin.  They don’t take up as much room and aren’t as messy in the event something has accidentally pushed the button on the spray can.

Check your flashlight to make sure the batteries are good.  Consider carrying extras in your bag.  Seems like my flashlight gets used more often than any other item in my bag.  So I keep it handy and replace the batteries often.

Now check out your supplies inventory in the house.  Same thing goes, if you’ve “borrowed” from your toilet paper supply, restock. Make sure your supplies are bug-free, rodent-free, moisture-free and otherwise intact.  Your emergency lighting, cooking implements, and other equipment should be tested, cleaned and stored away in that special location until needed.  Sometimes peace of mind is as simple as a quick tune-up.

As always send your questions or comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com. 

Tsunami Tsafety

    Every city on the Oregon Coast has a tsunami warning system in place.    Officials in coastal communities have taken the threat of earthquake/tsunami seriously enough to create evacuation routes and a warning system designed to minimize casualties. Those little signs point the way to higher ground and safety from an incoming tsunami.  I’m always mildly amused by the sign that says, “Leaving Tsunami Zone.”  How do they know?  What if that sucker is two feet higher, or ten feet higher than their signpost?  Now I’m not privy to all of the scientific planning that went in to marking the zone, but I’m assuming that their data is solid and was attained through sound processes.  Just to be on the safe side, if I’m on the way out, running from a tsunami, I’m not stopping at that sign!

    Another thing not mentioned on the “evacuation route” signs is that if the anticipated earthquake is as severe as many think it will be, there is no way we can jump in our cars and simply drive our way to high ground.  Streets will be broken, bridges impassable, building debris is likely to cover the road, power poles and power lines will block streets and trees are apt to have fallen in inconvenient places.  More and more I’m hearing that folks are being instructed to “walk” to higher ground.  I’m thinking “run” is more like it, but some of us don’t run much anymore.  Not for very far anyway.  

    Also if you’re on the beach or at sea level and you feel the shaking of a quake, don’t wait for the siren.  That shaking is likely the only warning you will get.  Computer simulations have demonstrated that on January 26, 1700, when the last Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake stuck our coast, it is estimated that there was a 20 to 30 minute time period before the initial tsunami wave hit.  Geologic history has showed waves were at least as high as 30 feet and some believe much higher in places.  

    Another evacuation tactic is also being suggested: The concept of vertical evacuation.  That is, finding a sturdy building at least three stories high and climbing to at least the third story.  Again, if the building is higher, don't stop at the third floor.

     Whatever you do, DO NOT head for the beach to watch the action.  My friend Mongo, has an amazing webcam setup capable of capturing all the drama of  a tsunami.  Check out his website at www.bandon.tv.  He updates the site daily, and there is always a webcam pointed toward the ocean.  If you've ever had any inclination to ignore the above advice, just check out the videos on YouTube of the 2011 Japanese Tsunami.  Hopefully you will be convinced to act accordingly.

As always, if you have questions or comments, you may email me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com. 

Wildfire Evacuation

    When it is no longer safe to live in your home, then it’s time to evacuate.  Some evacuations are middle-of-the-night, grab what you can and run because the water heater just set the house on fire.  But more often we think of evacuating in the face of a hurricane, tornado, or other cataclysmic event.  Then there are the times that you have a little more warning.  In past columns, I haven’t dwelt too much on evacuation because in our region, hurricanes and tornadoes are just not that common.  

    All that changed for several residents of Southern Oregon these past few weeks.  On Friday, July 26, some 311 lightning strikes ignited fires in Coos, Douglas and Josephine Counties. Within three days 3600 firefighters, 17 helicopters, 142 wildland fire engines, 22 bulldozers and 6 air tankers were on the scene, battling the scores of fires which have now grown to cover nearly 45,000 acres.

    According to officials, 470 homes were threatened and hundreds were ordered to evacuate their homes.  In Oregon, evacuation orders are issued by the County Sheriff, although the actual door-to-door work can be with the cooperation of the various agencies battling the fire.  

    Paul Ries, Public Information Officer with the Oregon Department of Forestry, gave me a rundown on how evacuations are handled.  When it comes to wildland fires, there are three levels of evacuation notices with which folks should be familiar.  Level 1 is to be ready.  Residents are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area.  Evacuation is voluntary at this point.  Level 2 Residents are ordered to leave soon!  Roads are usually closed and entry to evacuated areas may be denied.  Residents may have time to gather necessary items, but will do so at their own risk. A Level 3 notice is an order to leave immediately, that imminent danger exists and there is no time to gather personal belongings.

    According to Ries some were more “disaster-ready” than others.  Each family was told to consider the 5 “P’s” when making plans to evacuate.  The 5 “P’s” include People and Pets (and other livestock too), Papers (important documents), Prescriptions, including hearing aids, eyeglasses and your medications, Photographs, so your memories are preserved and last is your Personal Computer.  There is often invaluable, irreplaceable data on your hard drive.

    Of course, having a complete 72 hour kit at the ready is going to ease the task of what to take, but as always having a plan in place will eliminate a whole lot of confusion when the time comes to evacuate.  When you have a plan, the panic factor, not to mention the stress on the marriage, is greatly diminished.

    Miraculously, at this writing, there have been no homes lost and some families are being allowed back into their houses.  Residents were quick to praise the high level of professionalism of the various agencies and the manner in which each facet of the evacuations were carried out.  

    Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed is still the theme for every disaster.  The best time to make ready is now, before the event.

    As always, send your comments and questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com. 

Go Camping

    One of the more popular summer activities in our area is always camping.  We live in the middle of one of the most beautiful outdoor recreation areas in the world.  No matter where you live in the South Coast region of Oregon, you are only a short drive from an amazing camping location.  Whether you need full hookups for your home on wheels or simply a flat spot to pitch your tent, Southwestern Oregon has a camping experience to meet your need.

    While I have always loved to go camping, not everyone is in love with a back-to-nature weekend.  “Why would you want to pretend you’re homeless?”  “We have a nice house, why go live in a tent with no shower, no toilet and rough it?”  It is a lot of extra work, and when you get home, you have to clean up your stuff and put it away while you’re feeling grimy, tired and a little weird from eating too much junk food!  On the “plus” side, you have just made an amazing memory with your kids!

    But with all this being true, a family camping trip is a great way to test your disaster preparedness skills.  How organized are you?  I don’t think I have ever gone camping when I didn’t forget something I needed.  A few years back I took my grandson up in the Siskiyou National Forest for a three-day trip.  When we arrived at the Forest Service campground we set up the tent, arranged our ice chest full of food and it was then I discovered I had forgotten the Coleman stove.  I took stock of my situation and decided to go it without the stove.  It was too far to go back home and retrieve the thing, it was also too far to go to town and buy another one.  Besides I looked at my menu and decided I could cook everything on my list over an open campfire.  So we did.  It wasn’t as handy as the stove would have been, but other than blackening some of my cooking utensils, we made do with no serious consequences.

    Maybe a camping trip would be a good shake-down cruise for your disaster preps. Make a list, check off the items and spend a weekend in the wild.  You will invariably learn what you should have brought along.  You will even learn what you could have left behind.   If the power grid fails, or a major earthquake strikes, your camping gear will be your key to maintaining some kind of normalcy.  If you have it arranged in a general location, you’ll be able to lay your hands on what you need quickly. Maybe even in the dark.  Your lantern, your cook stove, and other gear will get you through while your neighbors are still trying to hunt up their flashlight.  While we’re on the topic of your neighbors; once your home is stabilized, make sure your neighbors are ok.  It’s possible they are completely unprepared and are sitting in the dark hoping the lights come back on soon.  

    If you’ve ever gone camping and forgotten something important, I’d like to hear about it. As always, your comments and questions may be sent to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.

C.E.R.T.

    Community Emergency Response Team, commonly referred to as C.E.R.T, refers to a cadre of volunteers who have spent time equipping themselves to respond in a disaster.  The professional emergency responders know they will be completely overwhelmed when an earthquake or other disaster strikes the region.  Having a volunteer group on call who has already been through “basic training” and possesses certain basic equipment will be a lifesaver during the time of crisis.  

    If this interests you, and you want to be listed in the asset column in your community then now’s your chance.  Signing up for C.E.R.T. training includes classes on First Aid, Triage,

Light Search and Rescue, the proper use of a fire extinguisher among other related topics.  In most communities, only C.E.R.T. personnel are allowed in the operational areas to assist in time of disaster.  Well-meaning, untrained volunteers are often considered obstacles to the mission at hand, in other words, liabilities.  

    Mark your calendar now.  C.E.R.T. training will begin on October 1, 2013, at the Bandon Fire Department.  Classes will be held every Tuesday evening for eight weeks, until November 19.  For registration information and more details go to: http://www.banprep.org/contact-us.php

    Most C.E.R.T. training sessions involve a long, intensive marathon weekend which is a little like trying to drink from a firehose.  The way this class is structured the student gets a chance to absorb and process each topic from week to week, and still keep all your weekends free.

    Additionally a new app for your smartphone is on the way.  Called CERTify, the app enables CERT coordinators to send messages and assignments to team members during an emergency situation.  It also enables decision-makers to keep a closer eye on volunteers’ safety and rescue credentials.  The app was developed as part of a contest to create applications for various public safety issues.  Available later this year, the app will allow C.E.R.T. members to be to able update their training profile and also notify the disaster coordinator or Incident Command personnel upon completion of assigned tasks.

One future enhancement in the works is the app will allow users access to an emergency communications channel that could be utilized if the cellular network was down.  

The subjects covered in C.E.R.T. classes are topics with which everyone should be familiar. You really should have some knowledge of basic first aid.  You should know how to conduct a search in your neighborhood.  The first time you look at your fire extinguisher should not be when the flames are licking at your neighbor’s curtains.  

As always send your comments and questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

Get Home Bag

    If you’ve been reading this column over the past several months, you’re already on board with the theme, “Get A Kit, Make A Plan, Be Informed.”  Lets face it, most people know that they need to have some things set aside at home just in case the power goes out, but lets discuss what happens when you’re not home and a disaster happens.  

    Several months back I shared a story about how I was unable to get home from work on one occasion.  Although I didn’t have to sleep on the floor of my office, I did have a toothbrush, razor and other items that helped me get by until I could get home.

I live in Myrtle Point and commute to work in Bandon every day.  My wife works in Coos Bay, so both of us are away from home a large share of time.  The odds are very good of something happening while we are away from home.  Some time ago, our son challenged us; “If a disaster were to occur while you were at work, would you have what you needed to survive long enough to get home?”  Now, a few years have passed and my bag has grown.    Since then I am rarely without it.  It goes to work with me, if I leave town for a few days I’ve got it with me.  Like many folks my age, I take certain medications that keep my system on an even keel. In the event I’m stranded somewhere, then I would need my pills and have included a few days’ supply of my meds in the kit.  

You may have guessed there are kits available to purchase. Someone gave me a three-day kit about the size of a kid’s lunch box.  It is very tidy, compact and actually has enough to get by in a pinch.  It contains a little first aid kit, some food bars, a couple of water pouches and some odds and ends.  I don’t carry it with me, rather I use it for demonstration purposes. Everyone’s kit will look differently based on your individual needs.  

As usual I recommend building your own kit.  That way you will become ‘invested’ in this project, rather than let someone decide for you what you’re going to need.  I suggest you go online and check out the kits that catch your eye and get ideas to put in your own kit.  Those ready-made kits are going to contain items you will never use.  When you assemble your own you will have given some thought to every single item.  

You can begin with a medium-sized backpack, some extra clothing items, some toiletries and a few food items.  From there use your imagination.  Play the “what-if” game.  How about an extra pair of eyeglasses or an eyeglass repair kit?  A sewing kit?  Always include a first aid kit with easy-to-access Band-Aids and Tylenol.  Those will be the items you reach for most often. Don’t forget a good quality, compact flashlight, maybe a small box of candles (and matches or disposable lighter).  You’re starting to get the idea.  Be careful, this thing will grow.  Mine did.

If you have a unique item in your kit or a story to share, email me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.

Earthquake Science 101

By now everyone knows that earthquakes are caused by a rumbling deep inside the earth and if the rumbling is severe enough, there is damage here on the surface.  The amount of damage depends on several factors including the type of quake, and location.   Most folks look for a measure of intensity from the newsperson; “There was a quake last night in Outer Slobovia which measured 6.2 on the Richter Scale.”  We know that was a quake of moderate strength.  The higher the number, the more intense the quake, thus the more danger to life and property..

In 1935 Charles Richter developed a scale based on seismographic readings to measure the intensity of earthquakes. For several decades his scale was the state of the art for earthquake measurement.  But technology being what it is, the Richter magnitude scale eventually became obsolete, mostly because of its limitations in accurately measuring the quake several miles from the epicenter.  Then one of his peers improved on the original and it became the Modified Richter Scale.  Again technology drove the geology community to improve and along came the Mercalli scale.

While the Modified Richter Scale is still used to measure the intensity of the quake, the Mercalli Scale is used to measure the effects of the quake.  The effects are varied, compared to the distance from the epicenter. Then to further complicate matters, in the 1970s, along came the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS).  The magnitude is based on the seismic moment of the quake.  A formula involving the rigidity of the Earth, the amount of slip on the fault, and size of the area that slipped, measures the MMS.  Fortunately for the layman, the numbers to report the MMS are the same as the Richter Scale numbers.  

I realize all this can be confusing, but hang on.  Did you know that an earthquake measuring 3.0 is ten times stronger than one measuring 2.0?  We are conditioned to break down numbers in tenths.  For example a sign reading 6.5 miles, means 6 and one half miles.  Not so with the Richter Scale.  Using ordinary logic, you’d think a 6.0 earthquake would be twice as intense as a 3.0.  Not so, in reality it is three-hundred percent greater!

Scientists can come pretty close with predicting where quakes will happen, but even with all of today’s technology and measuring equipment, it is still impossible to accurately predict when they will strike.   Thanks to GPS technology and literally thousands of sensors drilled deep within the earth’s crust, plate movement can be recorded as little as one-half centimeter.  Even as you read this, the Cascade Mountains are rising and tilting eastward as the Juan de Fuca plate pushes under the Continental Plate along the Cascadia Fault about 60 or so miles off our coast.  Currently they seem to be stuck, but they are still pushing.  When they become unstuck, we will have an earthquake that may earn the title, “The Big One!”

Check your supplies and your plan.  Now is the time to prepare!

As always, questions and comments can be sent to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.