Five Tips for Emergency Preparedness at Work

I found this great article on Personal Preparedness Daily, Inc and though I should share it! The pictures you see are my actual work kit that lives under my desk (along with crumbs, dropped paper clips and an occasional pizza crust, this is true, ask Lori). The items shown are some food, water, deodorant, toothbrush with toothpaste, dust mask, radio/flashlight and a whistle. I also have a spare set of clothes, more food and water and first aid supplies inside. The possibility that I might have to be at my desk for 24 hours or more might be higher than yours, but in a disaster we might all be in the same situation! It never hurts to be prepared for anything, even if it's just a day that you forgot to put on deodorant. Your co-workers will thank you!

July 7th, 2011 by Juliana Weiss-Roessler Posted in Career Advice, In the Workplace

When you’re headed into the office for another day behind your desk, emergency preparedness is probably the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, disasters can strike at any time, and you always need to be ready. Places of business are required to have some emergency procedures in place - an evacuation plan, a first aid kit - but there are many ways to be prepared that companies ignore… and things you can do for yourself at work to make sure you’re ready.

Red Cross training courses.

If your company doesn’t already have a program set up for you to learn first aid/CPR/AED, talk to your HR representative about setting one up. Your local chapter of the Red Cross should have a wealth of options for different programs and training courses like the Red Cross Ready Rating Program, which is free to businesses, schools, and organizations!

Your other disaster supply kit.

Everyone knows you should have one at home, but if you don’t have one for work, get one. It needs to be kept in a single container, and small enough that you can just grab it and go in case you need to evacuate the building. The kit should include three days worth of essential food, water, and emergency supplies like Band-aids, pain relievers, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a blanket. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a supply kit in the car as well, which should also include flares, jumper cables, and any weather-related supplies you might need for the car.

The evacuation plan is your friend.

Read it, learn it, know it. Take special note of the exit routes for your building and where fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and stairways are located along the path. If your company somehow doesn’t have an evacuation plan, offer to make one. The best way to know it is to create it yourself.

Carry an emergency card at all times.

This should include your name and list of important contact numbers in case of emergency. Let’s face it, with cell phones many of us don’t know more than a few phone numbers anymore, and we don’t know if cells will work in an emergency, so a written list has taken on even more importance.

Above all, be practical.

Women who wear high-heeled shoes to work should keep a pair of comfortable flat shoes at their desk. Don’t let your water rations run low and expect that you’ll just be able to fill up at sinks and water fountains. Don’t prepare anything that’s even close to being perishable. And absolutely be mindful of the season and create your emergency kits and plans accordingly.

Read more: http://www.resumark.com/blog/juliana/5-tips-for-emergency-preparedness-at-work/#ixzz1SlSFxYjJ

This is a picture of my unquestionably fabulous footwear today! However fabulous they may be, they are not practical for running or walking long distances. Really, they are not practical or necessary for anything except making me happy, that's why I ALWAYS have a pair of tennis shoes nearby!

Caution for VoIP Users

The FCC defines VoIP thusly: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some VoIP services may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter.

Sounds good, right? People like VoIP services because they can have one phone number where they can always be reached (cell, home, etc), bills are often lower than traditional landlines and long distance calls are free. While a VoIP phone looks like a traditional phone, it connects to the Internet, NOT a telephone line. So, what does that mean for you?

It means that some VoIP providers do not provide enhanced 9-1-1 information to dispatchers (name, address, callback number) and no VoIP numbers are automatically in the ECNS reverse calling system. This is easy enough to fix by registering your phone number with the ECNS system, click here more information.

Even if a VoIP phone is programmed to call 9-1-1, the call may not route to your local 9-1-1 Communications Center or you may hear this message, "You must dial 9-1-1 from another telephone. Nine-one-one is not available from this telephone line. No emergency personnel will be dispatched. Please hang up and dial 9-1-1 from a different phone."

The call might also be directed to a non-emergency number and not given the same priority as a 9-1-1 call. Additionally, your name, address and the number you are calling from may not be provided to the answering center. If you are unable to speak, help cannot be sent to you. VoIP phones generally do not work during a power outage, so this is another aspect to think about when signing up for a VoIP plan.

Comcast Digital Voice is similar to VoIP, but does not have the same drawbacks. Click here for technical jargon that explains why it's different.

This is not to say that no one should use VoIP services. We just want people to be informed consumers and always have a backup plan! Before you sign up for a VoIP service, take the time to ask the provider if 9-1-1 will work, if your name and information will automatically be provided to the 9-1-1 Communications Center and if the call will automatically be routed to your local center.

So, in summary, if you have VoIP or are looking to switch to a VoIP system, great, go for it. But, know what you are getting into and adjust accordingly!

Why 72-hours?

If you know anything about preparedness or emergency management, you'll know that we are constantly saying to be prepared to be on your own for 72-hours (at a minimum). Why do we say that? Why 72-hours?

If we had our way, we'd say to be prepared to take care of yourself without any sort of resources or intervention for 72 YEARS, but we can't all grow our own food, perform our own surgeries or live purely on solar power, now can we? I know I sure can't!

Seventy-two hours is, commonly, the amount of time it takes following a major disaster for first responders, government agencies, Red Cross, etc. to get mobilized, get a handle on the situation and get a solid game plan. That may seem like an eternity to someone stuck in their house with no electricity following an earthquake, but to people charged with responding and maintaining order, it can feel like a split second.

There are a lot of moving parts to an effective emergency response. I would encourage anyone who would like to see firsthand how to manage and respond to a major disaster to volunteer for the Red Cross. You will see why it takes time and how much planning goes into opening and then maintaining an emergency shelter. Or volunteer as a fire fighter or a reserve police officer. You will see why the initial response takes time and coordination to be effective.

We all get annoyed at bureaucratic red-tape and endless procedures and protocols that only slow down actual progress. Trust me, I feel your pain. But in some instances, the protocols for disaster response are there for a reason. When we don't take time to coordinate what resources respond where, we end up with 300 gloves, when we needed 300 cots or responding to a school where a few people were hurt when more urgent help was needed at a nursing home.

There are other issues that can slow response, especially following an earthquake. In most plans, after an earthquake of 5.7 or greater, bridges must be inspected by a certified engineer to determine if they are safe for use. If a shelter needed to be opened, it too must be inspected to ensure it's structural integrity was not comprised by the earthquake. This takes time, but is a better alternative than opening a shelter, a safe-haven for people that are frightened and displaced from their homes and having it collapse and create a secondary disaster.

I'm not saying that every emergency response is perfect. In fact, following every disaster from something as small as a few homes engulfed in flames to an unthinkable scenario like Hurricane Katrina, there can be examples of inadequate, inefficient, downright inept decisions. But again, in every disaster response, there are examples of clear thinking, proactive measures and heroism, it's just harder to spot them because when things move along as they should, you don't stop to think about why they're moving.

So, yes, it may seem like we're asking a lot when we suggest you spend your hard-earned money on an 72-hour supply of clean water, non-perishable food, flashlights and first aid supplies that you may never use in your lifetime. But, if the time comes, you'll understand why 72-hours on your own and a good helping of patience, is not too much to expect.

Free Boat Inspections

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office will be providing free boat safety inspections Saturday, July 16th at Willow Grove Boat Launch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is welcome to bring their boats and personal watercraft. There will be free handouts and other boating safety information available.

Once inspected, each boat that passes the inspection will receive a 2011 Marine Safety Inspection Decal.

The boating inspection checklist includes:
* Registration Numbers: Properly displayed.
* Current Decal: Properly displayed.
* Certificate of Numbers (Registration): On board the vessel.
* Mandatory Education Card: For operators 35 years old and younger.
* Motor Vessel Checklist: For rentals.
* Personal Flotation Device (PFD): USCG approved and proper size.
* Personal Flotation Device: Adequate number and in good condition.
* Personal Flotation Device: Type IV for vessels 16' and over.
* Personal Flotation Device: Worn by children 12 and under.
* Fire Extinguisher: Approved and charged.
* Muffler: Adequate condition.
* Lights: Properly displayed (night only).
* Distress Signals: Adequate working order.
* Flame Arrestor: Clean and adequate.
* Sound Device: Horn/Whistle/Bell.
* Ventilation/Blower: Adequate and operable.
* Ski Flag: Properly displayed.
* Carbon Monoxide Decal: (Gas only; no PWC)
* Personal Watercraft (PWC): Lanyard and operators 14 and older.
* Aquatic Invasive Species: Clean hull.

Power Outages

Lots of power outages this morning. 750 PUD customers near Beech Street and Oregon Way in Longview are out of power and 185 customers along Westside Hwy, Casey Road, Chapman Road, Barnes and Imboden are also without power this morning. Estimated timeline for repair is 2-4 hours.

--Update--Gotta love our PUD, both outages were fixed well before estimated timelines. Thanks for keeping us "electrified!"

Pet Prep!

Don't forget your pets when you're working on your Disaster Plan! Click here to sign up for a free "Pet Rescue Alert" sticker from the ASPCA. This sticker lets first responders or rescuers know that there are pets inside. Also, take a moment to read over the ASPCA's pet disaster preparedness tips. Fluffy will thank you!

Burn Ban Begins this Friday

An outdoor burn ban begins this Friday. All land clearing, residential and tree burning will be restricted. For all the details check the SW WA Clean Air Agency website here or call the Fire Marshal's office at 577-3052.