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The Utah Department of Health in conjunction with Be Ready Utah have introduced Plan 9 listing the 9 essential items to help you shelter-in-place in an emergency. They are:
1. WATER - One gallon per person per day. Store in a cool, dark place and replace every six months. You can use the old water in the garden or in the clothes washing machine.
2. FOOD - A supply of 3-5 days of food per person. Ready to eat canned meat, fruit and vegetables. Things that do not require cooking. Canned or boxed juices. Powdered milk and soup. Crackers, granola and trail mix. The powdered milk will consume some of your water supply.
3. CLOTHES - One change of clothes and footwear per person. Consider packing blankets, rain gear, and outerwear in case of inclement weather.
4. MEDICATIONS - Collect three days worth of any prescription medications you are taking. Be sure to note expiration dates so you don't keep them past their date.
5. FLASHLIGHT - Keep a bright flashlight in case there is no electric power. LED lights are the best. Consider getting a lantern-style LED light for hands-free use. DO NOT use candles! They are a fire hazard and are easy to lose track of when the lights come back on.
6. CAN OPENER - Make sure it is a manual can opener in case there is no power. The more food items you have with pull top openings, the less you will need to use this item.
7. RADIO - A battery powered radio for listening to news and weather. Consider buying a crank operated radio. Don't forget extra batteries.
8. HYGENE ITEMS - Just the basics like soap, toilet paper and a toothbrush. Hand soap can be used as tooth paste. Moise towelettes can be very useful in these situations.,
9. FIRST AID - Basics such as antiseptic, gloves, bandages and non-prescription medicines. You can buy these at most drug stores and many grocery stores. Emergency Essentials has them. The Red Cross sells them.
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THE FIRE CORPS
Fire Corps is the key component of Citizen Corps that supports and supplements resource-constrained fire and EMS departments through the use of citizen advocates for non-operational activities.
Fire Corps
1050 17th Street NW, Suite 490
Washington, DC 20036
info@firecorps.org
www.firecorps.org
Phone (202) 887-4809
FAX (202) 887-5291
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As mentioned in yesterday's blog entry, the LDS Church has prepared some information on Stake and Ward Emergency Preparedness, building usage, communications, etc. The link is HERE. It will open in a NEW window.
You should find the following sections of particular interest to ERC and MARA members.
Emergency Communications
During an emergency, normal means of communication may become
inoperable. Communication needs should be addressed in ward and stake
emergency plans.
Wards and stakes should have a plan in the event of an emergency.
Plans are prepared by ward and stake welfare committees under the
direction of the bishop or stake president. Plans should be updated
periodically.
Guidelines for Ward and Stake Emergency Plans
Ward and Stake Emergency Plans
Guidelines for Ward and Stake Emergency Plans
Meetinghouses as Emergency Shelters
Following a disaster, the use of a meetinghouse as a community emergency shelter is occasionally needed. Permission is granted by the stake president, after consulting with a member of the Presidency of the Seventy or the Area Presidency. Following approval, the priesthood leader should contact his Church physical facilities representative (PFR).
Much of the information in these church sponsored documents are a radical departure from the policies of prior years. Notice, for example, in the last entry that ward and stake buildings are no longer automatically volunteered for use as emergency shelters but must be negotiated for.
There are also new policies regarding stakes and wards buying ham radio gear or accepting donations of ham radio gear.
If your ward or stake does not have an active emergency plan in place, it might be very helpful to make the unit leaders aware of this LDS Church web site. EVERY stake and ward is supposed to have a plan in place and that plan includes communications procedures.
Until next time...
N7OZH
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