The Journey

    Fall 1999.  Preppers everywhere were cautiously making plans for something called Y2K.  Some computer geek somewhere opined that computer chips everywhere were going to freeze up at one second after midnight, December 31, 1999. The idea caught on and spawned a movement to prepare for life without computers or chip-driven electronics.  I won’t go into detail but the concept made some sense.  Enough so that several folks considered the possibility of the electrical grid collapsing and knocking out every computer and electrical component on the planet.  As a result thousands purchased generators.  

    I made a call to my buddy who happens to be an electrical engineer.  My logic was that he was the best qualified person I knew who could answer my question.  The conversation went something like this:

Me:  I just bought a generator and would like to know the best way to hook it into my house.

Him: Why did you buy a generator, for Y2K?

Me: Yup.

Him: Well I’m glad you bought a generator, but you’re not going to need it for Y2K.

Me: Silence.

Him: You’re going to need it for the earthquake.

Me:  What earthquake?

At that my friend schooled me on the ongoing seismic activity of the Cascadia Subduction Zone and the very real likelihood of a major earthquake and subsequent tsunami impacting the coast of Oregon.  I learned due to the geographical structure and soils composition coupled with the several dozen bridges that would be damaged, our region would be completely cut off from any assistance for a considerable time.  

No electricity, no phone service, no trucks coming into the area carrying groceries or anything else for that matter.  Yes indeed, a generator was going to come in handy!  

Likewise a shortage of consumables like batteries, toilet tissue and other needed items   when stores can’t get resupplied.  Not only will our lives be disrupted, but first responders will be unable to respond.  Fire fighters, police officers and EMS (ambulance) personnel are going to be so overwhelmed that your emergency will be way down the list.  That’s when you will become someone’s hero.  Every neighborhood will need good Samaritans to check on the elderly, the injured and the stranded.  Mapping Your Neighborhood will become more than just a “feel good” exercise, but the reality that lives are being saved just because someone had the foresight to organize their neighborhood.

Not too long ago someone asked if there was some kind of warehouse with a stockpile of food supplies.  The answer is no.  The only supplies available are those each person has on their pantry shelves.  There are a few food banks serving the needy, but those supplies come from fragile streams of donations and some government programs and would soon be wiped out.

The best time to prepare is BEFORE the disaster!  Don’t be lulled to sleep by the gentle music of the “Procrastination Symphony”.  Next time you’re at the store, pick up just one extra non-perishable item.  Just one item!  Set it aside and then keep adding to it.  Just in case!

This column is a direct descendant of that conversation with my engineer buddy.  Maybe your preparedness will hinge on a similar pivotal moment, like reading this.

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

Dave Robinson is the Postmaster in Bandon, Oregon, and the author of “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us”.  

General Prep

    Winter weather is just around the corner.  Fire season has been lifted and long, cool evenings are ahead.  It seems earthquakes, hurricanes, blizzards and Ebola come to mind when we think of disasters, and those are the events that get all the attention, however residential fires are the most common disaster in the United States.  Every year more than 2500 people die (that’s seven (7) people per day) and nearly 13,000 are injured in home fires in our nation.

Deaths and injuries can be minimized when families establish and practice a home fire escape plan.  The American Red Cross says you only have two minutes to escape a structure fire.  F.E.M.A. recommends practicing your home fire escape plan twice a year.  

Here are some tips:

1. Find two ways to get out of each room.
2. If a primary exit is blocked, you will need an alternate escape route.  A second story room might mean using a ladder to get to safety.
3. Make sure windows aren’t stuck and screens can be easily removed.  If security bars are in place, make sure they can be properly opened.
4. Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
5. Place smoke alarms on every floor of your home.  The Red Cross recommends placing one in each bedroom.
6. Replace your batteries every year, and replace your smoke alarms every 10 years.

Fewer and fewer households in our region are burning wood for heat anymore, but if you still enjoy the comforting warmth of a wood fire, make sure your chimney is cleaned and inspected each year.  Various kinds of wood burn in various ways.  Some burn slowly and some burn faster.  Different kinds of wood and different conditions leave various levels of creosote inside the chimney.  Every chimney should inspected for safety and to be cleaned, if necessary.  

Successfully preparing for the disaster of a home fire is no accident!  It just may save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Disaster preparedness isn’t rocket science!  Simply consider a game of “what if” and then make plans for what can go wrong.  Lay in supplies, keep your gas tank on the upper half and always have a back-up plan.  Many years ago when I was a student pilot, my flight instructor told me that a pilot always keeps an emergency landing area in mind, just in case.  This is no small feat in Western Oregon where there aren’t a whole lot of flat, level wheat fields to set a plane down.  The point being, you’ve always got to have a plan in mind in the event the whole system collapses.  

There’s a lot of talk about Ebola right now.  Do you have a plan in place if this disease comes to our region?  Have you discussed with your family at what point do you keep the kids home from school?  At what point do you stay home from work?  In other words, have you considered the concept of a self-quarantine and what that may mean?  Having said that, do you have enough supplies on hand to get through a period of quarantine?  

This is never about causing fear, this is about stimulating some thought and preparing for the “just in case” events that may or may not come our way.

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

Prepping for a Pandemic

    A month ago we were all smugly watching the news regarding the Ebola outbreak in East Africa thinking, “those poor folks, sure glad it’s half a world away!”  Then one thing led to another and now this disease has come ashore.  I never craft this column to cause fear, but this may be the exception. A word of caution here,  many folks hold irrational fears that are likely more contagious than the disease itself.  However in this case, we may do well to err on the side of cautious preparedness!

Ebola is defined as viral hemorrhagic fever disease.  Symptoms include fever, headache, joint  and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite, and abnormal bleeding.  Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to the Ebola virus, though 8-10 days is most common.   

Our generation has never faced a runaway pandemic although every few years we watch various strains of flu have a bit of a run before they fizzle out.  Now a Liberian man has been diagnosed with Ebola and quarantined in his home in Dallas.  It seems the system has broken down on several levels when it came to managing this incident.  From the highest office in the land to the local health officials in Texas, mistakes, missteps and downright malfeasance has characterized the handling of the matter.  If this is an example of what we can expect from our public health officials, then we certainly haven’t seen the worst of it yet.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) offers the following:  You can only get Ebola from touching the blood or body fluids of a person either infected or already dead from the virus.  Contamination can also be from contacting objects like contaminated needles or the blood, meat or body fluids of infected animals. This being the official government position on the matter.  They also say that “Ebola poses no significant risk to the United States.”

In my opinion, the government will carefully word their press releases in such a way to avoid panic, sometimes compromising the accuracy of information. The last thing anyone in government wants is a pandemic coupled with a panic.  

Here’s what you can do:  Make preparations as you would for any other disaster.  Stock up on the basics.  Be prepared for a total breakdown in services as utility workers or first responders may be affected. In addition, make a plan to self-quarantine.  That means staying home from work, keeping the kids home from school (or daycare) and simply holeing up in what you know is a safe environment. In other words cutting off any contact with any potentially infected person. Drastic measures, I know, but they may just be what keeps you and your loved ones alive.  If you can’t avoid venturing out in public, do so with the benefit of protective gear, gloves, facemask and plenty of sanitizer.  

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

Five Essentials  Part II

    As I write this, Northern California is cleaning up from a 6.1 magnitude earthquake.  Reported as the biggest quake to hit California in 25 years, officials are reporting approximately 15,000 customers without electricity, and some 160 injured.  The damage to buildings and businesses and seems substantial and the disruption of thousands of lives has yet to be measured.  One thing is certain; those who have prepared in advance for just such an event have a huge advantage over those who keep putting it off.  A 72-hour kit would be just the ticket for this event.  No trips to the store, no worries about water to drink, and your only concern would be to make sure your neighbors were looked after.  

    Last week I mentioned there are five essentials everyone should have on hand.  The first three are a camp stove (or some method of cooking without electricity), a method for purifying water, and a battery-powered radio, preferably one that includes a NOAA weather channel.  

    Item number four is a backup light source.  Everybody knows about Coleman lanterns. (There are also other brands, but Coleman is the most popular.) They are propane (or liquid fuel) powered and put out not only a very bright light, but a significant amount of heat as well.  The drawback is anything that puts out light, requires either fuel or batteries. So include fuel or batteries in your plan. Battery powered devices come in either the rechargeable type or regular version.  Either way, when the power goes out, it’s pretty handy to be able to lay hands on a flashlight or lantern within minutes of the failure.  Another suggestion is to pick up a few of those little flashlights you see at most checkout counters.  Keep them together in a dresser drawer and during a power failure, give one to each family member.  That way if they need to leave the room, they don’t have to take the primary light source with them.  A word on candles; I’m a big fan of candles, but they are an open flame so use appropriate caution.  If you have propane or natural gas, don’t be too hasty to  light a candle.  In an earthquake, those fuel lines can rupture and if you strike a match it could have disastrous consequences.  Next trip to the store, pick up something that makes light!  And batteries, you can never have too many batteries.  Get a variety of sizes, but get some!

    Lastly, item number five isn’t something you can go out and buy, but you need some on hand.  Cash.  With widespread power outages comes widespread inconvenience.  That debit card you carry in your wallet is worthless.  Same with the money stored in your savings or checking account.  When the power is off, ATMs aren’t going to be working.  Neither are credit card processing machines.  One day last week, I visited a local bank, or should I say I tried to visit.  The doors were locked.  A helpful employee directed me to the drive-through (I was on foot).  It seems someone somewhere had inadvertently snipped a fiber-optic cable and their computers were all down.  I was still able to transact my business, but if there is no electricity, you’ll need some cold cash.  How much you keep on hand is up to you and your budget.  I recommend making it small bills and keeping it in a secure location.  

    There are many other items you will want to add to this list, but these are the starters.  Get these on the shelf and you’re on your way to being prepared for a disaster.

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

Five Essentials

    Disaster preparedness doesn’t have to be expensive.  Many of the things we need can be incorporated into our weekly shopping routine without breaking the bank.  Food supplies can be slowly increased without shredding your budget and if you’re watching carefully, other things can be gradually added as well.  There are, however, at least five items you should be sure you have that aren’t cheap, but necessary to survive a disaster.  

    1.  A means to cook your food when the power goes out.  Cooked food is more nutritious, a morale booster and just plain better to eat than cold food.  If you don’t own a camping stove, get one.  A new Coleman (or similar brand) starts out somewhere in the neighborhood of $50.00.  There are more expensive, fancier models on the market, but if you just need a basic, heat-your-food stove, that will do the trick.  I picked up a near-new condition Coleman, propane stove at a city-wide garage sale sometime back for $15.00.  Still in the box.  Of course there are solar ovens, rocket stoves, and all manner of food-cooking devices, but the point remains:  Get one!

    2.  Have the capability to purify your drinking water.  If you live out in the country and normally get your water from a well or spring, this may not pertain to you.  Either your water has been tested and meets health criteria or you already have a self-contained means for purification. Although I live a ways out of town, my water comes from a municipal water source and is filtered and chlorinated by the city.  If for some reason the city ever loses that capability, then many of us are on our own.  If water still comes out of the tap, it may not be purified.  I recommend a stand-alone filter such as the “Big Berkey” or a variation.  These filters require no electricity and the impure water is simply poured in the top half, the water trickles down through a filtration system into the lower half of the unit.  The ceramic filters take out the smallest particles (down to .02 microns) of anything that will make a person ill.  Boiling and bleaching are also recommended method of purification.  Boiling is the safest method, but filtering the water  through a stack of coffee filters, or some cheesecloth, then adding ⅛ teaspoon of chlorine bleach (unscented) to a gallon of water is an accepted method of purification.  I also recommend storing water, but it is impractical to think you can store enough water to get you through a prolonged period of time.  Still a stack of cases of bottled water in your back bedroom is good insurance and brings some peace of mind.  Just remember to rotate your supply every few months.

    3.  Battery powered radio.  Keep in mind the three basic rules of disaster preparedness are Get A Kit, Make A Plan and Be Informed.  Keeping informed is made possible with a battery powered radio.  There are some pretty cool radios on the market.  Some have built-in solar panels, hand cranks and also run off standard batteries.  Most models have AM/FM bands and several channels capable of picking up the NOAA weather alerts.  Cost will be in the $50.00 range for a good quality radio.  

    Next week I’ll cover the other two items needed.  In the meantime start shopping around for good quality items. If you’d like a set of plans to build your own water filter, email me at the address below.  As always send your questions and comments to me at disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.  

If you  haven't picked up a copy of my book, Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us", now would be a great time.  This whole Ebola thing has everyone on edge and the information in this book may just save the lives of you and your family!  $14.95 on Amazon.com, Booklocker.com, Barnes & Noble and others. 

Evacuation by the Numbers

The recent heat wave in our region has been, at worst, an inconvenience for us.  Elsewhere in the Northwest there have been all manner of wildland fires resulting, according to one news report, in the loss of over 300 homes.  That’s at least 300 families who were ordered to get out and find safety elsewhere.  

The need for evacuation is rare in our region as we don’t have the hurricanes, tornados, or some of the other major weather events to which the rest of the nation is subjected.  But just last summer in the Glendale, Oregon, area wildfires forced the evacuation of several homes.

Here’s the scene:  Just imagine a lightning storm the night before, the news says 47 lightning strikes in our county have ignited 36 fires.  Some have been contained, but firefighters from all over the northwest are responding to several fires whose flames have been fanned by offshore winds and dry conditions aren’t helping matters.  You are aware there are firetrucks running up and down the roads, airplanes are flying low overhead and just as you are sitting down to dinner a Deputy Sheriff pulls into your driveway.  He seems rushed and tells you in a matter-of-fact tone that all the residences in your neighborhood are being evacuated.  You have two hours to gather your things and go to a safer location.

A million thoughts are flooding your mind:  Where should we go?  What should we take? Who does what?  Right here is where panic can set in and you literally accomplish nothing of significance!  Either that or you can gather your family and hand them each their assignments.  The evacuation is underway and you and your loved ones will make an orderly retreat to your brother’s place in the next county.

The experts tell us there are three levels of evacuation:  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.

Some evacuations are handled by giving the residents a sheet of paper containing some instructions.  This can include the 5 “P’s”.  The 5 “P’s” include People and Pets (and other livestock), 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.  Just keep in mind, the time to prepare is NOW, before there is an emergency!

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