Don't Be Left Out in the Cold!

Picture this: it's dark, it's rainy (go figure), you're in your car alone and you unwittingly run over a giant nail. After the string of expletives dies down, you realize that your cell phone is in your other purse (or pants, or bag, or whatever). Now what? Does this sound like the beginning of a B-list horror movie? It doesn't have to be. Check out this article from MSN.com about the 10 things you should keep in your car (stale french fries and Legos did not make the list or else I'd be set!) It is not only a great idea to have the tools and the know-how to change a tire, but also to be ready to spend some quality time in your car in case of an emergency. You never know if you'll be stranded due to an earthquake, flood or any other disaster that we may have. Be sure to check out the article and see how many of the 10 essential items that you have. If you don't have any, it may be time to do some shopping.

Sifting Through the Rubble: Facts and Myths in Earthquake Safety

From Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency Blog

What is the right thing to do when the ground starts shaking? Ask this question to a room full of people and you’ll get a variety of answers. “Stand in the doorway” is a common one. That option is easily debunked if the room has one doorway and you do a quick test of how many people in the group can fit in that doorway. If there are engineers or architects in the room they might point to certain structural strong points in the building and make a case for heading towards those. Some might also mention the Triangle of Life theory. This comes from a viral e-mail/internet message that recommends a complicated system for identifying where the void spaces will be in a structural collapse.

Here are the problems with all these ideas. First, they are based on the assumption of structural collapse. While there are no guarantees, building codes in the United States, especially in earthquake-prone areas like the Pacific Northwest, go a long way to minimize the potential for building collapse. Second, these theories fail to recognize that most injuries and deaths in U.S. earthquakes result from falling or flying furniture, equipment, lighting fixtures, and so on. Lastly and most importantly, none of these are quick solutions. When the ground starts shaking, all of that furniture and equipment could start flying in seconds. You won’t have time think, let alone call your engineer friend and ask him to recommend the choicest spot.

Emergency managers, public safety officials, and earthquake experts are unanimous in their recommendation for what to do: when the ground starts shaking (don’t wait for the official earthquake announcement!) drop, cover, and hold. Dropping, covering your head under a table, desk, or other sturdy furniture, and holding onto the furniture offers the best protection in most situations. Visit earthquakecountry.info for more information.

Sadly, even after discussing this topic, if the ground actually starts shaking our room full of people are likely to follow their instincts. They’ll make a run for it. We’ve seen it time and again. Just look at Youtube videos of just about any earthquake. Unless you make a decision now to drop, cover, and hold and, better yet, you actually practice it, the fight or flight reaction is going to take over and you may get hurt.

I.D. Cards for kids, elderly parents or anyone

Last week, in my post, "Are your kids ready for an emergency?" I mentioned that it is a good idea to have I.D. cards for each of your children in the event of an emergency. While you probably agree that creating an I.D. card is a good idea, does the thought of actually making one seem a bit overwhelming? Don't stress, there are directions and templates for making these. Emergency preparedness enthusiast and home-school extraordinaire Barb Shelton just happens to make I.D. cards, and has created instructions for anyone to use in making these for yourself! You do need to have a basic knowledge of Word, but even if you've never made a table (which is what she uses), a tutorial on that is linked from within the instructions. But if even THAT seems over-the-top to you, Barb also makes and sells these cards. The order form is on the last page of the instructions. Here's the link to get you started: http://www.homeschooloasis.com/HowToMakeIDCard+OrderForm.doc

6 More Weeks of Winter

I'm not sure how much stock I put in the weather prognostications of a rodent, however, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow so it looks like we're in for more winter. How does this tie into Emergency Management? Well, just take this time to make sure you still have a well-stocked emergency kit in your car because there is still a chance of snow or ice. Also, from personal experience over the weekend, make sure you have jumper cables and know how to use them. It's really not fun to sit at Costco, in the dark, wondering if you can find a nice person to help you.

Prepare to Be Your Own Hero

The Prepare to Be Your Own Hero class scheduled for tonight was so popular that it is now full! If you wanted to take this class but procrastinated in signing up, you are in luck. Another class will be held next Tuesday, February 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Todd Road Fire Station (415 Todd Road) in Kalama. I anticipate this class will fill up quickly also, so PLEASE call 577-3130 or email DEM@co.cowlitz.wa.us to register. For more information on what the class entails, click here. Take advantage of this free learning opportunity sponsored by your very own Department of Emergency Management.

As If To Illustrate My Point....

The Dive Team was busy early Sunday morning fishing a truck out of the Kalama River. Wasn't I just talking about all the work they do? For the whole story, click here. And for a story about what the Sheriff's Office, DEM and other public service agencies are working on for the coming summer, click here. Just for fun, click here.

Want to Make a Difference?

The Cowlitz County Dive Rescue Team is your only local dive rescue and recovery team. They are a dedicated group of volunteers that work in partnership with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, the Department of Emergency Management, and other law enforcement and public safety agencies to respond to water-related incidents in Cowlitz County and surrounding areas. They respond to in-water distress calls and help provide a first line of defense against accidental drowning. They provide this service for free. It's not their job, but they do it because they care.

The Cowlitz County Dive Rescue Team is also called upon when items become lost in the water or evidence must be recovered from our waterways to help solve crimes. They have training in crime scene preservation and recovery.

All of the services of the team are rendered on a 100% volunteer basis. They are all trained to professional, public-safety diving levels and work diligently to train as often as possible. This can be difficult when volunteer members must provide their own vehicles, dive gear and pay for their own training.

In 2009 alone, they responded to over 20 emergency calls and logged nearly 400 hours of mission time, with 400 hours of training time. Dives account for 35% of all requests for emergency management volunteers. In short, they are the smallest team that takes on the most dangerous and costly missions.

The funding for the team comes mostly from small government grants and donations from local businesses and individuals. The Cowlitz County Dive Rescue Team would greatly appreciate your support by making a donation or becoming a sponsor of the team. As they are a non-profit entity, all donations are tax-deductible and a receipt will be issued to you upon request. If you have any questions or are interested in joining the dive team, please contact Lori at Cowlitz County DEM (577-3130) or Brett Duling, dive team president (636-4384). Checks can be sent to Cowlitz County Dive Rescue Association c/0 Cowlitz County DEM, 312 SW First Ave, Kelso, WA (make checks payable to Cowlitz County Dive Rescue) or you can donate online at http://www.cowlitzdiverescue.com/ with most major credit cards or a PayPal account.