Building Your Kit

Week 5

        According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (F.E.M.A.) and the Red Cross, the mantra for disaster preparedness is:  Get A Kit, Make A Plan, and Be Informed.  Trust me when I say that survival is not a kit.  Knowledge is more important than “stuff.” Preparedness and survival is all about a plan, your kit is simply a big part of your plan.  I must admit that building a kit is more fun than making a plan, but it is all about a balanced approach to coming out ahead in the event of a disaster.
        For the past few weeks, I have been providing a shopping list and a list of tips for building a 72 hour kit.  I firmly believe a 72 hour kit is only a good start.  Your plan should be to extend your kit to a fourteen day supply as most disasters don’t know to stop at 72 hours.
After seven weeks, those who participate will have a well-rounded starter kit that should see them through most emergencies.  Because we all have different needs, everyone’s kit will be different.  Some of us have babies in the house, so those families will want to stock up on infants’ things, others will have folks with special needs and those requirements must be considered as you build your kit and make your plan.  For those reasons, I don’t recommend buying one of the kits on the market, as they will probably not meet your family’s complete needs during an actual emergency.
        Shopping list for Week Five:
1.     Gloves.  Latex or non/latex, plus a good pair of work gloves.
2.     Paper plates, cups and utensils
3.     Canned vegetables, soup/stew.
4.     Toilet paper (lots) and paper towels.
5.     Travel sizes of personal hygiene items, dental care, soap, feminine care, deodorant, etc.
6.     Disinfectant wipes.
7.     Supplies for baby, elderly or special needs.
Tips for Week Five
Select an emergency contact person residing out of the area for family members to contact in case they are separated.  Sometimes it’s easier to connect a phone call out of the area than it is locally.
Keep a copy of this seven week list in your car when you go shopping.  Check off items as you go.
Make sure that all adults and teens in your household know how to shut off water and utilities.
Never use a portable generator in an enclosed area.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  Clean, pure drinking water may be in short supply during an emergency.  For a free set of plans to build a water filtration system send me an email.  You may also send your comments and questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

Bit by Bit Building a Kit

Part 4

        This is part four in a seven-part series on building your own 72 hour emergency kit.  By way of review, nearly everyone agrees that we should be prepared to ride out a disaster.  Some folks are unsure how to go about being prepared, what to do, what to buy and how to proceed.  For the past few weeks I have presented a list of items to buy and some tips on what to do to get ready.  At the end of seven weeks you will have a fully stocked 72 hour kit and will be prepared to face most disasters.  I actually encourage having a 14 day kit, because some disasters don’t know they’re only supposed to last for 72 hours.   In the case of our area, some predict a massive earthquake.  When an earthquake of that magnitude occurs, it may be weeks before stores can be restocked as roads leading to and from our region may be closed.
Things to buy Week Four:
1.      Disposable camera with flash for documenting damage.  While I’m on the topic of photographic documentation, now would be a good time to get a video inventory of your home and its contents.  If you have a video camera, simply walk through your house and give a running commentary on your possessions, value and when purchased.  Invaluable
2.     Utility knife and/or scissors.  This is separate from the scissors in your first-aid kit.  These are for heavy-duty cutting.  Hundreds of uses for sharp cutting instruments.
3.     Heavy duty trash bags
4.     Matches in waterproof container.  Be sure to get the “strike anywhere” style.  Matches are like duct tape and zip-ties, you can never have too many.
5.     Sanitizing wipes.  Good for cleaning things other than the baby’s bottom; like your hands, face and elsewhere!
6.     Extra set of car and house keys.  Store them in a secure location away from your primary residence.
7.     Fruit, canned or snack-pack.

Tips:
Begin thinking about packing a “go bag” with a condensed version of your home emergency kit in case you need to relocate temporarily.
Stay in the habit of keeping your gas tank half full and keeping your cell phone charged.
If you need to evacuate, be sure to remember your car phone charger.  Better yet, get an extra and carry it in your glove box.
As always send your comments and questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

Building Your Kit

Part 3

This is part three in a seven-part series on building your kit.  It seems that lots of folks don’t know where to start or what items to include in their kit.  I advocate sitting down with your family and make a list of what you would need if you couldn’t go to the store or get to the bank for several days.  Then go to work and bit by bit, build your kit.  It can be a fun family project that has an added benefit of offering a greater piece of mind when a disaster does strike.
Building a kit following this seven-part, piece by piece plan will give you the basics.  You will have a 72 hour kit.  It is my experience that most kits expand over time and eventually you will want to have a 14 day kit on hand, but this is a good beginning.
Things to buy for Week Three:
1.  Dust filter masks.  Look for the ones rated “N95”, they are designed to keep out airborne dust, pollen and possibly protection from disease.
2.  Whistle to signal for help.
3.  Finish buying water, at least one gallon per person per day.
4.  Cash.  Set aside as much as you can reasonably afford.  Small bills are best.  During a widespread power outage your debit card is of no value.  Neither is the money you have stashed in a savings account.  
5.  Make copies of your important family documents.  You can scan them to a flash drive and store in either a “go bag” or other safe location away from your home.  These documents may include copies of insurance policies, deeds, passports, birth certificates and titles to your vehicles.
6.  Regular, unscented, household bleach for purifying water.  Also pick up an eyedropper.  Experts recommend 16 drops of bleach to purify one gallon of water.
7.  Juice.  Get the single-servings as refrigeration may not be available
8.  Nutrition/high energy bars
Tips;
Plan and discuss how you would evacuate your home in the event of a sudden emergency.
Tap water may need to be purified with bleach in the event of a disaster.  Consider purchasing or building a stand-alone water filter.  (Email me for a free set of plans to build a filter.)  
Plan to have at least one can of meat or meat entree for each family member per day.
Select two places to meet with your family after an emergency or disaster-one near your home and one outside of your neighborhood in case its not safe to return.
As always, send your comments or questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

Building Your Kit  Part 2

Last week we survived our first major storm of the winter.  Winds in the 100 mph range were recorded in various places along the coast.  Heavy rains brought flooding in the low-lying areas with no major problems.  I did see one dairy cow either swimming or wading in deep water away from the barn.  Electricity outages were limited although power fluctuations caused havoc with computers in several offices.  I also noted several trees and branches blown down along my morning commute.  The fallen trees simply underscore the need to drive a bit slower during and immediately after a windstorm.  Coming around a blind corner and facing a tree across your lane of traffic is an adrenalin-pumping eye-opener in the early morning darkness.
Also last week, I addressed the question of, “How do I get started building my kit?”  Truly some folks are simply overwhelmed by the task.  “What do I buy?  How much do I need? Where do I store my kit?” are all questions commonly asked.  Each week for seven weeks I will create a list of items to buy and things to do. After seven weeks, if you follow the steps, you will have created a kit capable of getting you through the first three days of most disasters.  My recommendation is that you keep building on your own until you have a minimum of 14 days’ supplies, but this is a great start.
Week Two shopping list:  
1.  Manual can opener.  
2.  First aid kit.  Should start with gauze and bandages, tweezers, scissors and antiseptic ointment.  Add some hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, suture kit, the list is endless.
3. Airtight bags, storage containers and a permanent marker.  I find that both two gallon and five gallon buckets with lids are ideal for storage.  Use the marker to list the contents and the date.
4.  Extra prescription medications, eyeglasses and contact lens solutions.  Collaborate with your doctor on this one.  He (or she) will probably be sympathetic once you explain why you need extras.  Your insurance provider may not be as sympathetic, but you might work with your pharmacy on this one.  
5.  Bring home another gallon of water.
6.  Non-perishable food.  Start with a few cans of meat, fruits, some peanut butter and crackers.  Try to stick with food that you are accustomed to eating.
7.  Plastic sheeting, tarp and duct tape.  
Tips for Week Two:
1. Collect your supplies in one place.  When the lights are out and confusion reigns, it is just simpler when your kit is together.
2.  Consider having two kits.  One at home and one in your car.  Not everyone is at home when disaster strikes.  There is a multitude of kits on the market, but it is still best to build your own.
3.  Rotate your stock of food, water, medicines and batteries every six months to ensure freshness.
As always, send your comments or questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

Kit Building

Lets revisit the motto:  Get a kit, make a plan, be informed.  I get comments nearly every day about this column.  Most everyone is positive and say they enjoy the information.  When I ask whether or not they’re actually doing the stuff, quite often they admit that they know they should, but just haven’t gotten started yet.  Both F.E.M.A and the Red Cross recommend having a 72 hour emergency kit.  That is having enough supplies and equipment to get you through three days without electricity, water or trips to the store.  Just for the record I think 72 hours is a good start, but a 14 day kit is even better.  Maybe we should ask the folks back east who just survived Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy if they think 72 hours is enough.  
One of the concerns I often hear is, “I’m just not sure where to begin.”  So beginning today, for the next seven weeks I will be posting a step-by-step kit-building plan.  At the end of the seven weeks, if you follow the steps, you will have a kit that will get you through the first 72 hours of most disasters.  Not only will you will have a kit, but you will have a plan in place that will increase your family’s chances of survival.  Keep in mind it is my experience that kits naturally grow because once you begin you keep finding essentials that you just can’t live without.  So lets get started.
Things to purchase Week 1:
1. A battery-powered radio, one with a N.O.A.A. weather channel and extra batteries.
2. Flashlights or battery powered lanterns (with extra batteries, of course)  Avoid using candles because of the fire hazard.
3. Water to last three days.  At least one gallon per person per day.  Start with one gallon this week.
Tips for Week 1:
1. Start with these items that emergency responders consider the most critical to getting you through the first 72 hours until basic services may be restored.
2. Don’t be overwhelmed by a huge list of items.  I’ve identified the most important things.  Just buy a few items each week for seven weeks and you will be prepared for the most likely emergencies in our area.
3. Commercially bottled water is recommended to ensure safety.  Replace before “use by” date expires.

I suggest you keep your kit in one general location.  That way, when the power is out, you won’t be running around in the dark searching for your stuff.  Every household is different and each house has a ‘best,’ if not ideal spot for your emergency kit.  If you have a container in which to store your gear, all the better.  One friend of mine uses an old ice chest for certain essentials.  But most any good quality “tote” will suffice.  As always send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.

Y.O.Y.O.

(You’re On Your Own)

I know I keep mentioning this, but in the event of a major disaster, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!  It’s been two weeks since Superstorm Sandy came ashore on the other coast, and as of this writing, people are still without power.  Essential services are slow to be restored and government resources are insufficient to “fix it” for everyone.   
In spite of all this, I still have people tell me that in lieu of preparing for a disaster, their “plan” is to rely on government services or local charities.   This may seem harsh, but in the words of John Wayne, “Life is tough, but it’s tougher when you’re stupid!”  It doesn’t take a genius to see that local services are dangerously overwhelmed during any emergency, let alone a storm like Sandy or similar event.  
I will concede that F.E.M.A. and other disaster responders have come a long way in the seven years since Katrina.  Supplies are pre-positioned quickly and resources are in place far more rapidly than in times past.  Still, nothing trumps personal preparedness.  To have your own stores and plans in place means you have to rely on no one. If you have done your homework, you know what you have at your disposal and are familiar not only with your local geography but with the  local weather habits.  
Knowing what you have on hand is essential.  After the power goes out and blown-down trees are blocking your route to the grocery store is no time to find out what you’re lacking. Secondly, knowing your way around is essential.  Familiarize yourself with alternate routes.  Now would be a good time to purchase a good quality local map showing all the side roads or back roads in your neighborhood.  Then after you buy the map, go for a drive some nice afternoon and prove out the accuracy of your map.  (Experience talking here!)  If you’re new to the area, find out which roads flood first.  Also learn which roads stay frosty and slick all day after the temperatures dip below freezing at night.

Locally speaking, we are very fortunate, weather-wise.  Our region gets neither severe winter blizzards, nor the hurricanes of the eastern and gulf states.  Our temperatures are moderate and for the most part, the occasional wind storm is manageable.  Primarily we have to contend with the odd high-wind and rain storm during the winter months.  A major earthquake has been predicted for our coast and when that occurs, it will be a life-changing event.  Make no mistake about it.  Those folks on the east coast have certainly had their lives changed!  Get prepared because Y.O.Y.O!

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

Listening to Sandy

The entire nation watched recently as Hurricane Sandy took aim on our East Coast.  One life truth I have observed is that scared people behave badly.  As I write this it has only been four days since the downgraded superstorm came ashore and already people are misbehaving.  Pre-storm reports of people grabbing items from others’ shopping carts coupled with reports of empty store shelves served to convey the message that when people wait too long to stock up, they just may be out of luck. Reports of long lines at the gas stations, looting and shortages of essential items abound.  Other reports show homes simply being washed away.
So what are the lessons we can learn from Sandy and how should we prepare for such an event?  Our situation is a bit different here on the West Coast.  Our weather patterns don’t ordinarily lend themselves to the intensity the East Coast receives (Columbus Day 1962 notwithstanding).  So our preps and plans will look differently than theirs.  In most cases in our
region it is just best to dig in, ride out the event and deal with the power outages, wind damage and possible shortages.  An emergency evacuation may be necessary for some in the event of a tsunami or flooding, but for the most part an adequate plan would be to simply hunker down, ride out the storm or earthquake, keep an eye out for your neighbors’ well-being and stay put.  Then roll out your generator, and start using the supplies you have so wisely stored up.
The situation with Sandy gave the folks on the East Coast ample warning of an impending problem.  Upon receiving evacuation orders, the right thing to do would have been to put your plan in motion, load up your stores and get out of town.  A pre-determined destination might be a family member’s home or some other safe location. Conflicting evacuation orders from governing officials served to cause confusion and delay for some.  The lesson here is if someone, anyone suggests evacuation, do it.  Immediately!  
One interesting, potentially tragic story involved the back-up generators at a major hospital in New York City.  One generator located in a lower level was flooded and failed right away.  The second generator situated on the roof was fed by a fuel source located in a lower level.  The fuel pump failed and the unit on the roof was rendered inoperable because of a lack of fuel.  Some 260 patients had to be evacuated without the benefit of elevators and relocated in the mid-storm darkness.  All because of faulty planning.
Disasters do happen, and they don’t always happen to someone else!  As always you may send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

Home Fire Safety

Often when we think of disaster preparedness, we think in terms of earthquake, massive storm or major power outages. The concept of disaster gets more personal when there is a home fire.  Everyone knows someone who has lost everything in a house fire.  I have spoken to two people within the last several weeks who have had their own private disaster when fire destroyed their homes and all their belongings.  Happily, both parties were quick to add that, “At least no one was hurt.”

Last year fire departments in the U.S. responded to 370,000 home fires resulting in nearly 14,000 injuries and 2,520 civilian deaths. Damages in the amount of $6.9 billion occured as a result.  Here are some other facts regarding fires in the home:  
Most fires start in the kitchen from cooking accidents.  (42%)  Home structure fires peak around the dinner hour, between 5:00 and 8:00 PM.  
Seven percent of home fires start in the bedroom, most often from smoking.  These fires caused 25% of home fire deaths.
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
The good news is that for the past 35 years, the trend is improving.  In 1977 there were 723,500 home fires resulting in 5,865 deaths.  Every year there have been fewer fires and fewer fatalities.  Today those number are less than half what they were.
Safety tips are always available from your local fire department, but some things to keep in mind include, keep fresh batteries in your smoke alarms, usually once a year will do it.  Some folks use their birthdays as reminders, and some use January 1, but whichever method you prefer, just do it!  If you need smoke alarms, buy them.  They are simple to test, simple to use and simple to install.
For those who burn wood for heat, now would be a good time to get your chimney inspected and cleaned.  Soot and creosote can build up in your flue and ignite, rapidly involving your entire house.

For kitchen safety, stay in the room if frying, grilling or broiling food.  If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.  A leading contributor of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.  Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires.

As the holiday season approaches, avoid overloading electrical circuits, and although no one uses candles on their Christmas trees anymore, many people still use candles throughout the home.  Never leave a small child and a lit candle alone in the same room.  If your tree is real, keep it watered daily, make sure you use strings of lights that are in good repair, because one third of Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.

Fire prevention can be practiced by everyone and in most cases it’s not a case of disaster preparedness, but rather disaster prevention!  I’ll take that any day.

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

Hospital Readiness

Every medical facility in the state (possibly in the nation) is required to have a disaster plan.  A collection of “what to do if...” scenarios.  In the event of a major disaster or pandemic, each facility is required to have a design for treating many people quickly.  Although only ten disasters in U.S. history have resulted in more than 1000 fatalities, still it would be irresponsible to fail to plan for the absolute worst. It would also be non-compliant with the state medical standards people.
Each facility’s plan must be custom-tailored for potential disasters in their particular locale.  For example, the community located next to a nuclear power plant would plan differently than the community located next to a major earthquake fault.  New Orleans plans differently than Denver who plans differently than Seattle who plans differently than Fairbanks.  You get the picture.  Each community has their own specific needs.

One very good example of this style of planning is Southern Coos Hospital in Bandon.  Each year about this time, they conduct a free flu shot clinic as a part of their disaster planning.  If you wish to participate, you simply drive to the designated location, stay in your car and move through the process.  A clipboard is handed to you, you fill out a form, move to the next station, turn in the paperwork and roll up your sleeve.  Never get out of the car.  The location away from the hospital was chosen because the traffic flow is much better than at the hospital itself.  If the public has taken advantage of the free drive-through clinic, then they would already know where to go in a real disaster.   The hospital staff, the police and the public are familiar with the drill because they practice it every year.  Suppose there was a widespread pandemic and massive inoculations were necessary. Then a mechanism has already been designed and rehearsed to accomplish the task.  If injuries were involved as the result of an event, then the location would be used for triage purposes.  Patients’ injuries would be prioritized as to whether one would require a band-aid or major surgery.  There is no need to clog up the hospital’s hallways with the band-aid patients, while the more serious injuries have to wait for the traffic to clear.

At 5:30 AM, on the designated day of the flu-shot clinic, the coordinator makes a phone call, activating the hospital’s telephone tree.  Every relevant person is contacted and given instructions.  Of course for the annual clinic, everyone knows their phone is going to ring, but in an actual emergency that is not the case.  Still with a plan in place, the confusion is minimized and the entire staff can be mobilized with little fuss.  
It is a model of efficiency and positive disaster planning of which Bandon can be very proud, while at the same time rendering a valuable public service. This year approximately 700 inoculations were prepared though the exact number of participants hasn’t yet been determined.
As always send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.

Sanitation

During a major disaster, water mains may break, the municipal water processing system may fail or plumbing may be disrupted.  Something we take for granted, a flushing toilet may not be available.  In the event of an earthquake, it’s not too much of a stretch to expect that your plumbing, both incoming and outgoing could be disrupted.

Human waste, if not disposed of properly, can not only cause a sanitation and hygiene mess but if not managed properly will spread disease.  

For those who live in rural areas and your water source is a spring, you may be in good shape, barring any damage to your plumbing.  Our disaster preparedness plan isn’t complete until we have considered some alternative way to dispose of waste.

Several solutions are available from a toilet seat that snaps to the top of a five-gallon bucket for $10, to a chemical porta-potty costing $200 plus.  If you opt for the five-gallon bucket solution, don’t forget to get some small trash bags to use as liners.  

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti taught responders several lessons.  In a region that was marginally sanitary in the best of times, it became painfully aware that in a post-event environment, the health climate deteriorated rapidly and drastically because of the lack of adequate sewage capability. Health officials are still battling a cholera epidemic in Haiti since their earthquake.  Any disruption of sanitary service poses significant health risks.  Every so often a major city experiences a shutdown of garbage services.  The mountains of accumulated trash are an attractive nuisance to all sorts of disease-bearing vermin, including rats, mice and dog packs.

On a different note, researchers are learning about compost piles and their drawbacks after a disaster.  Composting is basically managing the decomposition of certain biodegradable products.  In other words and in base terms:  it is simply a managed collection of garbage intended for a noble purpose, eventually.  (My apologies to all organic gardeners everywhere.)  The word of caution here is to insure that your compost pile is well-secured and does not get scattered nor become an attractant for disease-bearing rodents or other scavengers.  Communities will have their hands full with trying to restore basic services without worrying about the runaway rat population.

Send your comments and questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

Stuff About Generators

The best thing about generators is they give us the ability to function with some normalcy when the power company fails.  Generator owners exude a certain smugness knowing they can still function, to a degree, when all others have just been relegated to the stone age.  The generator owners I know don’t realize they’re being smug, nor do they purposely conduct themselves with an air of superiority, but it’s there. Trust me.  
If you have been considering joining this exclusive club of generator owners, first ask yourself some questions.  What do I plan to do with it?  Am I going to just power up my travel trailer when I’m camping or do I intend to provide electricity for my home when the power goes out?  
The power company does an amazing job of keeping the electricity flowing, especially during our winter wind and rain storms.  How those lines stay attached to their poles and keep the juice running is a marvel of engineering.  We all know there are times when things happen and service is interrupted.  Sometimes things get fixed right away and sometimes it’s days before the lights come back on.  It’s those times when it takes more than a day or so that you need a generator.  You’ve got to pump water out of your well, keep your refrigerator and freezer cold, or in some cases open your garage door.  
Here are some things to keep in mind.  Unless you’re in the position to spend upwards of $15,000 for a permanently mounted unit, don’t plan to energize your whole house.  A smaller, portable unit of 3500 watt capacity will handle your fridge, freezer, a few lights and your TV.  The going cost for a unit like that will be in the $500 range.  The bigger the wattage output, the more the unit will handle.  Like everything else, you get what you pay for.  Avoid the $99.00 2-cycle unit.  It will probably do more damage (like to your computer or to your $2000 flat-screen TV) than it does good.  A high quality surge suppressor is a really good bit of insurance for your delicate electronics.
The main drawback with generators; they require fuel.  Don’t plan on using your generator as a long-term solution.  Even running the unit only a few hours a day for more than a week, you’d need to store more stabilized fuel than most budgets allow.  Not to mention the inherent dangers of storing gasoline.  Some generators run on diesel, some on propane and some of the permanently-mounted units will run on natural gas.  Speaking of gasoline, today’s ethanol-infused product presents its own problem.  Ethanol naturally attracts water, thus dramatically shortening the storage life of gasoline.  A generator sitting idle for months on end will almost surely fail to start because of bad gasoline.  The solution is to purchase non-ethanol gas (at a much higher price) or using a product such as Sta-Bil to keep fuel fresh for 12 months or longer.
As always send your comments or questions to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

Hunting Season

Southwestern Oregon has its fair share of hunters.  We also have our fair share of deer and elk to help keep the hunters coming back.  Whether you cruise the back roads or hike the trails in search of your quarry, sooner or later you will run across someone who needs help.  Some slide off into the ditch, others have a dead battery or some simply need directions, the trick lies in making sure it’s the OTHER guy that gets in a pickle.
Just last week a hiker in Central Oregon got himself in trouble through a series of missteps.  Hiking across the sagebrush-covered flats he somehow lost his water bottle.  Seeing the river at the bottom of the canyon, he decided to hike down to get himself a drink.  About halfway down he found himself in the proverbial pickle.  He discovered he couldn’t go down any farther but couldn’t get back up either.  He was on a ledge described as two feet by three feet in size.  Conditions were such that rescuers were unable to reach him.  After spending a chilly night on the ledge wearing jeans and a tank top, an Army National  Guard Black Hawk helicopter plucked him from his predicament the next morning.
As it is with most ‘pickles’, the problem actually began hours before when he decided to take a hike.  His choice of what to take and what to wear, coupled with his lack of good judgement added up to a precarious, life-threatening experience that didn’t really have to happen. His choice of clothing offered little in the way of protection from the chilly night air.  Then he lost his water bottle.  He had used his cell phone to call for help, but accidently dropped it during the course of the evening.  A question I would ask is, “Was it all that important to get a drink?” Even if he made it to the river, that’s not exactly potable water.  
When hunters or hikers get in trouble, their situation can be greatly lessened with just a little planning.   Cell phones are great and most of us carry one these days, but there are still a few hundred square miles in our region that have no coverage.  Most of those square miles are where we like to play, hike, hunt, camp and otherwise recreate. Here are some suggestions.  Pack like you’re going to spend the night, even if you have no intent to do so.  The kit I always carry in my pickup includes a jar of peanut butter, a couple of MREs, and some other snack food.  Fire starting implements are a must and I also have a small tarp that could be fashioned into a shelter if the need arose. Then let someone know where you’re going and what time you plan to return.  These items, among others would go a long way toward keeping a person comfortable should you find yourself in that pickle.  As always direct your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

Group Prep

Until now my focus has been on family and home preparedness.  And while I still believe that should be the individual priority, I am equally convinced that whatever service club or church organization with which you are involved  should also be prepared to meet needs when necessary.  Historically when a disaster or traumatic event strikes, church attendance swells.  It seems to be a pattern anytime there is a crisis, people tend to look to a higher power for stability and comfort.  There’s not a church in the country that doesn’t want to be known as the place that met the needs of its community when disaster happened.  Don’t get me wrong, I still believe that families need to stock up.  Get a kit, make a plan, and be informed, are very viable and essential for home preparedness.

Seven years ago when two major hurricanes struck the Gulf Coast, more than 40,000 refugees fled to the city of Austin, Texas.  Several pastors showed up at shelters only to be turned away because they were neither trained nor had any qualifications to deal with the situation.  Since then the Red Cross (upon request) has provided training to thousands of pastors and church members in their city.  As a result, Austin is now one of the most ready cities in America.  To date members of the Austin Disaster Relief Network have been called upon to respond to floods and fires in the surrounding area.  Some were even sent to Joplin, Missouri, to assist following the devastating tornado in that area last year.

Many churches in our region already have some food supplies on hand,  some are operating their own mini food bank and most have a commercial-grade kitchen.  Moving ahead with an expanded disaster plan, including increasing supplies on hand, would be a small step toward making a big difference.  And while you’re at it, how about compiling a skills inventory of your group.  Who has medical experience?  Is there a nurse or doctor in your group?  Does anyone have skills in working with children?  How about counseling?  Maybe a team of musicians that don’t need electricity to make music.  You get the idea.  If this sounds familiar, it should.  Your church or service club is a microcosm of the community and it may be every bit as important to map your group, as it is to map your neighborhood.  

The next time your service club or church has a planning session, show them a copy of this column.  When all the lights in the neighborhood are out except for the Coleman lantern in your gathering place, people will naturally be drawn to you.  If there is a pot of soup on the propane stove and some coffee going, you might just make an impression on someone.  You could save lives.  Food for thought...

As always send your comments and question to me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.

Mapping Your Neighborhood

       Lets play a little game of pretend.  A major disaster has hit your neighborhood.  The electricity just winked off all over town.  Maybe a tornado or earthquake or hurricane-force winds.  You’re pretty sure there’s damage on your neighbor’s house so you pick up the phone to call 9-1-1.  The line is dead.  Cell phone, “Sorry all circuits are busy try your call again later,” in that irritating, metallic voice you hate to hear.  You can’t reach anyone.  But you feel a responsibility to your neighbor, after she’s an elderly lady, lives alone and someone should probably go check on her.  After all a big tree just fell across her house.  She could be injured.  You try the cell phone again.  Same answer.  Pick up the landline, still dead.

The reality is that during a major catastrophic event, YOU are the first responder.  This is why neighborhoods all across the country are instituting a progam called ‘Mapping Your Neighborhood’.  This is a simple grass-roots plan that relies on people organizing their own neighborhoods and building a network of contacts based on who lives on your block or in your immediate vicinity.  Generally made up of fewer than 20 homes, a list is compiled of who lives where.  Do they have natural gas or a propane tank?  Is there an elderly person in the home, one who may need assistance in the event of a disaster.  Are they on oxygen?  How about insulin?  Does anyone have a toddler or infant in the home?  On the other hand, is anyone in your neighborhood equipped with a backhoe, generator, chainsaw or other item that could come in handy during a crisis.  How about skills?  Is anyone trained in medical care, maybe a nurse or someone who can give care to an elderly person or a young child?  Does anyone have carpentry skills?  Anyone skilled in counseling, maybe a minister?

All these questions will be answered at your first neighborhood meeting.  What is needed is for someone to grasp the vision of seeing their neighborhood come together and get organized on a very local level.  Only one meeting per year is really necessary and only then to update files.  Some groups simply compile a list of their neighbors and make a basic plan while others do fundraisers to buy needed equipment like fire extinguishers or community-owned chainsaws.  The extent of involvement is strictly up to the local neighborhood.

To begin simply search online for “Mapping Your Neighborhood Oregon.”  You will find a booklet you can print off to get you started.  If politics isn’t exactly your thing, but you want to contribute to your neighborhood, this may be just the opportunity for you.  There is no federal funding, but most cities in our region have someone who is designated to assist with disaster preparedness.  If that fails you may always contact me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com  Other information can be found on my blog at www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.

#38 Mindsets  

       There are those who make things happen, those who watch what happens and those who wonder what happened.  I find a similar set of breakdowns when it comes to disaster preparedness.  

The first group is absolutely convinced the sky will fall in at any moment.  Society will collapse, electrical power will be cut off, and gangs of lawless marauders will be running free in the streets.  But this group has it covered, they have planned ahead.  Their “bug out location” is hidden in the mountains, well fortified and stocked with beans, bullets and band aids.  Their “bug out vehicle” is fully capable of carrying all their bug out gear and is ready to spirit them and their family to safety. These people are gung-ho and fully committed to their cause.  For them, disaster preparedness is almost a form of religion to be preached and practiced to a level of high fanaticism

       At the other end of the spectrum is the guy who, for whatever reason, has no intention of making any kind of preparations.  When the topic comes up in conversation his response goes something like this:  “Well if anything happens, I’ll just come to your house.” That’s the best way I know of to irritate a prepper.  To which one person answered, “Why would you take food out of the mouths of my children when you had ample warning to prepare?”

No matter where a person finds themselves in this discussion, sooner or later you will be required to rely on what you have set aside. Your disaster may be nothing more than a wind storm that takes down the power lines between you and the grocery store, or it could be a 9.0 megaquake that devastates an entire region for weeks.  Either way you will fare better with just a bit of foresight, a few of the basics on your shelves and an attitude that says, “We’ll get through this, and hopefully help out our neighbors along the way.”

Most of us, I’m sure, fall somewhere in the middle of the debate.  Not quite fanatical, but not quite complacent either.  So now is the time to get started.  On your next trip to the grocery store, watch for sales, pick up some non-perishable foods strictly for the purpose of setting them aside.  Next time, do the same.  Search your closets and drawers for old candles.  You know, the ones that are either broken  or just don’t match your decor this month.  Presto, emergency lighting.  Clean out your old Coleman stove and fire it up just to make sure it still works.  See how easy this is?  You’re well on your way to being prepared. For other suggestions check outwww.ready.gov or www.redcross.org.  And comments or questions can always be sent to me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.

Attitude Check

       When considering disaster preparedness, supplies and equipment are important.  Many of my columns have dealt with the issue of “Get A Kit, Make A Plan, Be Informed.”  More important than stuff, is knowledge.  But ultimately knowledge will take a backseat to attitude.   Time after time those who found themselves in a survival situation did not make it even though they had all the equipment necessary.   In the book Deep Survival:  Who lives, who dies and why: true stories of miraculous endurance and sudden death, author Laurence Gonzales points out, “....experience, training, and modern equipment can betray you. The maddening thing for someone with a Western scientific turn of mind is that it’s not what’s in your pack that separates the quick from the dead.  It’s not even what’s in your mind.  Corny as it sounds, it’s what’s in your heart.”
       My father’s generation grew up during the Great Depression.  Often times they were forced to make do with what they had on hand.  When I was 17 years old, my uncle took my cousin and me camping and deer hunting in the Callahan area northwest of Roseburg. He had an old International pickup and it was a barebones camping trip.  When we arrived at our campsite, we discovered we had no matches. This didn’t even faze Uncle Eddie.  He pulled a greasy rag from behind the pickup seat, siphoned some gasoline onto the rag, shorted a wire across the battery terminals that tossed a spark on the rag and we had fire!  I was amazed.  He acted like he did this sort of thing everyday. There was no panic, no temper tantrum, just the attitude of “we’ll figure it out.”
       The depression years taught “The Greatest Generation” they could make do with whatever they had at hand.  I have learned that when I need something, I simply make a trip to the store and get it.  My father would encourage me to “skip the trip and make do with what I had on hand.”
       During a catastrophe, we may be required to make do.  This is not a matter of making sure we have an extra ton of PVC fittings, although that can’t hurt.  Nor is it a matter of storing up several cases of freeze dried food, not a bad idea.  But it is the attitude of being able to conquer this challenge using baling wire, duct tape and zip ties.  
       So start developing your ‘can-do’ skills.  Next time you need a fastener for the garden gate, make one.  Need a widget to store your nuts and bolts? Make one.  You’ll save a few bucks and find that you really can “make do” successfully!
       If you’ve managed to get by with what you’ve got on hand, I’d be interested in hearing about it.  You can email me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  Previous columns are posted on my blog at www.disasterprepdave@blogspot.com

Dry Runs

               Fire drills are proven to save lives.  In 1958 a school fire in Chicago claimed the lives of 92 children.  Since then routine fire drills in every school across the country have taught children what to do when the alarm rings.  When that happens, there is no time for instruction, debate or second-guessing.  Every child in every school knows exactly what to do and where to go.  As a result, there have been no school-fire-related fatalities in the United States for the past few decades.
               Recently a tsunami drill was held in the Coos Bay-North Bend area.  When the sirens sounded at the appointed time, hundreds of people made their way to high ground and to safe assembly points throughout the Bay Area.  Organizers claimed it was a resounding success because, just like the fire drills, those who participated will know exactly what to do when the real thing occurs.
               There is a reason (and a requirement) airlines go through those recitations before every take-off.  You know the one, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is how a seatbelt works, and in the unlikely event of the loss of cabin pressure this mask will drop down…”  Frequent flyers always act bored and almost perturbed that they must endure this one more time, but the truth is, those little briefings save lives.  When there is an emergency landing, everyone already knows where the exits are, everyone knows how to open them and that there will be a big, inflatable slippery slide to safety.  Passengers know to put their own mask on first, and then attend to the children and others around them.  People know what to do ahead of time and lives are spared as a result.
               If you feel slighted because you missed the tsunami drill in Coos Bay, take heart, the Great Oregon Shakeout is coming!  The safety motto for earthquake preparedness is, “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!”  This provides “an annual opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes.  The ShakeOut has also been organized to encourage you, your community, your school, or your organization to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies, and to secure your space in order to prevent damage and injuries.”
               It’s easy to register for the event although participation is encouraged even without registering.  Check out their website at www.shakeout.org/oregon.  You’ll find that churches, schools, businesses, individuals, tribes, government agencies and much more are invited to register.  For those who register there are news updates, posters to print, and multi-media resources regarding the event.  You’ll also find ideas to organize your neighborhood and a reminder to refresh your emergency supply kit.
               The overall idea is to raise awareness and train people on what to do and do it quickly in the event of an emergency.  It’s all about saving lives and minimizing injury.  As always you may send your feedback to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.

Stuff About Knives

“Mary gave him a bran-new "Barlow" knife worth twelve and a half cents; and the convulsion of delight that swept his system shook him to his foundations. True, the knife would not cut anything, but it was a "sure-enough" Barlow, and there was inconceivable grandeur in that - …”.   - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

       Knives have always been a part of American culture.  From a rite of passage for Tom Sawyer to today’s hi-tech blade systems and multi-tools.  Whether or not you carry a knife in your pocket or purse every day, you should have one in your kit. There are folding knives, non-folding knives, multi-bladed knives and all kinds of spring-loaded knives.  Big ones, little ones and in-between ones.  There’s a knife for every purpose and for every budget, and like most things, you get what you pay for.        
       Everyone knows about Swiss Army knives.  Understand that not all red plastic- handled knives are the genuine article.  There are only two companies authorized to market “Swiss Army” knives.  Victorinox and Wenger. Victorinox acquired Wenger in 2005 and they have decided to retain the Wenger nameplate.  To determine the brand of a knife, open the blade.  The brand is engraved on the ricasso (base of the blade).  If it simply says “China” or “Pakistan” or “stainless” then keep looking, that is unless you’re buying a cheap gift for your brother-in-law.
               Some of the best quality knives are made right here in Oregon.  Gerber, CRKT (Columbia River Knife and Tool), Benchmade, Kershaw and Leatherman, to name a few.  These companies offer a wide selection of quality products.  Most companies offer knives that appeal to the “survival” crowd.  Once again, use wisdom when choosing a knife. Some so-called survival knives wouldn’t help you survive a 30-second power outage much less a real emergency.  Let me tell you about a couple of knives I own and recommend.  First is a folding knife made by Tool Logic.  It features one-handed opening, a built-in whistle, an LED flashlight and a magnesium fire striker.  Cost is in the $50 range.  The other is marketed by Bear Grylls (of Man vs. Wild ).  Manufactured by Gerber, it is a fixed-blade knife.  Incorporated into the design is a whistle, a firesteel, and a sharpening stone.  The butt of the handle is designed to pound things like tent stakes, walnuts and even nails should the need arise.  Cost is also in the $50 range.
               Another must-have for your kit is a multi-tool.  Multi-tools were made famous by Leatherman and have been copied by most other knife makers.  All multi-tools have a knife blade, an assortment of screwdriver heads, a set of pliers and depending on the manufacturer, a saw, wire-cutter and mini-scissors.  As most men already know, a good multi-tool is a very valuable item to have.  
               I would be interested in hearing your knife stories or recommendations for outdoor equipment.  As always, email me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.
          

Practical Preparedness

               Remember MacGyver?  He was the guy in the television series of the same name that could fix anything with a Swiss Army knife and a gum wrapper.  He could whittle a helicopter and fly it out of an enemy prison compound and make it seem believable.  I rarely missed an episode simply because he inspired us to make do with what we had and rely on our skills to overcome any adversity.  For some reason it was about then I bought a Swiss Army knife.  MacGyver didn’t always have the coolest gadgets, but he used what he had on hand and fashioned a solution.
               Some time back there was an article in a statewide newspaper about three hikers that spent an unplanned night in the woods.  Taking a wrong turn, they eventually realized they were lost.  One member of the group was quoted as saying, “…I just thought: What do I need?  I need shelter, I need food, I need water.”  The article goes on to say he built a shelter of branches, pine needles and two towels.  They had some trail mix and drank water from a stream.
               After they were rescued the next day, the local Sheriff’s Department commented, “Even if you’re not planning to spend the night, pack like you are. Essentials include food, water, a compass, a knife and a form of communication.”  I might add that some method to start a fire would be mighty handy as well.  A fire, besides offering warmth, is good company at night.  Their attitude, their refusal to panic, and their skills allowed them to survive the night.  In other words, they “MacGyvered” their way through a survival situation.
               There are a couple of handy gadgets to have on such an outing.  One is a GPS receiver, which I mentioned in a previous column.  A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver would probably have helped them get back on the right trail, or possibly find another way out of the woods.  The other device is something known as a SPOT locator.  A SPOT locator is battery powered and fits easily in the palm of your hand.  Using a marriage of GPS and satellite phone technology, it provides one-way communication to pin-point your location, signal for help, or notify friends and family that your status is “OK.”  The price starts at $99, plus an annual service fee. Mountain climbers, pilots, kayakers, mushers, and all sorts of outdoorsmen are using them to give their families peace of mind and to summon help if needed.  One big advantage is they work where cell phones won’t.
               Now that summer is here, many of us will be heading into the great outdoors, so it’s a good time to check your backpack, gear-up and be prepared - even if you don’t plan to spend the night.  As always, your comments and questions are welcome at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com (Certain quotes and information were used by permission from the Statesman Journal and reporter Emily Gillespie.  link to the original article: http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/statesmanjournal/access/2684388611.html?FMT=ABS&date=Jun+12%2C+2012 )