CERT

If you think that you can dial 911 and get help immediately after a major disaster, go back to bed.  First responders can not fill all  the demands for needed services.  They will be restricted and overwhelmed.  Also, and it takes time for an organized response to be put in motion.  This can take up to three days.  Many people will be cut off from outside help and we will have to rely on each other.  Family members, co-workers, friends, and neighbors will want to help.   But, untrained and spontaneous help can face serious problems.  For example, after the Mexico City earthquake volunteers saved 800 people.  Unfortunately, 100 people died while trying to save others.  This could have been prevented if the volunteers were trained.  This is where CERT comes to the rescue!

CERT

If you are the “helper” kind who likes to be in the thick of things getting your hand dirty and can think on your feet, CERT is for you.  Find the free CERT training through your local fire department.  The program teaches emergency skills that will allow you to help yourself and others.  It is practical training that allow citizens to function effectively during a disaster, and to make a real difference.  I took the course in 2006 given by James Beebe of North County CERT.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned so much.  I recommend it highly.  You are not required to join a CERT team after the training.  This knowledge can help you, and those around you during an emergency.  You will be trained in the following:

Disaster Preparedness

Fire Safety

Disaster Medical Operations

Light Search and Rescue

CERT Organization

Disaster Psychology

Terrorism and CERT

Remember when President Bush asked Americans to volunteer for their country?  Well,  Citizens Corps was created for this purpose, and CERT was selected as one of the primary programs to use.

————————————————————————————————————————————————-–

Background

The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees.

The training program that LAFD initiated makes good sense and furthers the process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognizes the importance of preparing citizens. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the National Fire Academy adopted and expanded the CERT materials believing them applicable to all hazards.

The CERT course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, if a community wants to supplement its response capability after a disaster, civilians can be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary responders. These groups can provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had the training, and collect disaster intelligence that will assist professional responders with prioritization and allocation of resources following a disaster. Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 States and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training.

(source:  citizenscorps.gov)

The Great California ShakeOut

October 15, 2009, 10:15 a.m.

Over 6.9 million Californians participated in the largest earthquake drill ever.  In 2008 nearly 5.5 million participated.  We are high risk for earthquakes and the purpose of the drill was to practice how to protect yourself during an earthquake, as well as to practice other aspects of emergency preparedness.  We need practice to be able to react quickly in the event of an actual emergency.  This practice drill was done in homes, schools, and work places.  Let’s us all participate in 2010.

(”Triangle of Life” theory is not supported by any reputable emergency organization.)

Earthquake Myths

MYTH #1: ” Big Earthquakes Always Happen in the Early Morning!”

Earthquakes happen at all times of the day.

What To Do

Myth #2 – “Earthquake faults can open wide enough to swallow people and buildings!”

Gaping faults exist only in fiction. During an earthquake, the ground moves across a fault, not away from it. If the fault could open, there would be no friction. If there was no friction, there would be no earthquakes.

Myth #3 – “California will split apart from the United States and sink into the ocean!”

Western California is moving horizontally along the San Andreas fault (the land on both sides of the fault are converging and getting closer together), and up around the Transverse ranges (mountains to the northeast of the LA basin).  The ocean is not a great hole into which the state can fall, but is itself land at a somewhat lower elevation with water above it.

Myth #4 – “We must have good buildings because we have good building codes!”

What if buildings were built before a code was enacted?   Check if  your building has been retrofitted.

Myth #5 – “Go for the doorway when an earthquake strikes!”

Modern homes are built so that doorways are no safer than any other part of the house.  You are much safer under a table.

Myth #6 – “Everyone will panic during the big one!”

Research shows that people are prone to protect themselves and help others during and after earthquakes.

Myth #7 – “The weather is hot and dry and that means  Earthquake!

Earthquakes start many kilometers below the region affected by surface weather.

//

Earthquake Safety Steps

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

What To Do

These steps were developed by members of the Earthquake Country Alliance and are based on many existing resources and the advice of many organizations.  Earthquake Country Alliance member have specific things they need to do before, during, and after an earthquake so as to reduce earthquake damage and injuries, and to speed recovery.  But, you need to do your part.

1.  Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them.

2.  Create a disaster-preparedness plan.

3.  Prepare disaster supplies kits.

4.  Identify your building’s potential weaknesses and begin to fix them.

5.   Protect yourself during earthquake shaking- drop, cover, and hold on.

6.   After the earthquake, check for injuries and damage.

7.  When safe, continue to follow your disaster preparedness plan.

During an Earthquake

Clix (sxc.hu)

What to Do During an Earthquake

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake.  Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur.  Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.  If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes.  Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall.  In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.
• Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside.  Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
• DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.  The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls.  Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls.  Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury.  Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle.  Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped.  Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you.  Use a whistle if one is available.  Shout only as a last resort.  Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

www.fema.gov

After an Earthquake

What to Do After an Earthquake

Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.

Listen to a battery-operated radio or television. Listen for the latest emergency information.

Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

Stay away from damaged areas. Stay away unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.

Help injured or trapped persons. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.  Give first aid where appropriate.  Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.  Call for help.

.Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.

Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.

Inspect utilities.

Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building.  Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home.  If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.  If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber.  If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap.  You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

www.fema.gov

Is Your Family Prepared for a Disaster?

In the case of a disaster, would your family know what to do? Where to meet? Who to call? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it’s time for your family to create a disaster plan. Disasters can happen at any time, including earthquakes, floods, terrorist attacks, and much more.

When making your disaster plan, each family member should be involved. Take the opportunity to share these ideas with your spouse and children, and create an individualized family disaster plan. Being prepared can create confidence and calm during times of chaos and confusion, which always comes with situations of disaster. Without a plan, your family could find yourselves in a horrible situation.

Remember to keep your plan simple and easily understood, so every family member knows exactly what to do. Here’s a list of ways to start the conversation in your family:

• Hold a Family Night to talk to your family about getting prepared for disasters.
• Talk about the emergencies that could happen in your area, and share ideas about your family will do in each situation.
• Make a plan on how your family will act in case of a major disaster.
• Talk about working together, and volunteer for various responsibilities. Each family member should know what his or her job will be, and be able to remember it, even in the extreme stress of a disaster. For example, one child could be in charge of getting bottles of water for the family, another child’s job could be to grab blankets…etc.
• Your emergency plan must be simple and easy for every family member to understand.
• If a disaster happens and family members are not all together, they should know what to do. Talk about your ideas as a family.
• Discuss that importance of remaining calm.
• In case of a sudden emergency, plan a meeting spot outside. For example, in a fire emergency, all family members meet at the mailbox or at a neighbor’s house.
• Your family should know of an alternative meeting spot, in the case of a neighborhood emergency. It should be a place within walking distance of your neighborhood, such as a friend’s home, your church, or a store.
• Memorize the address and phone number of your meeting spots, which is especially important for children who may need to give this information to an authority.
• If your family members are separated in a disaster, they should know what action to take to get back together. For example, if a major earthquake occurs, and the parents are at work, children should know where to go and what number to call.
• Ask a friend or relative, not living in your area, to be your family’s contact person. Each member of the family can try to get in touch with your contact to gain instruction, and to tell him/her where they are. Memorize the contact’s phone number and address as a family.
• Sometimes, it is hard to make a phone call during a disaster.
• Authories may ask your family to evacuate during a disaster. Make an evacuation plan.
• Talk to an out-of-town friend or relative about providing your family shelter during an evacuation situation.
• Learn about and plan alternative shelter options for your family, if required to evacuate.
• As a family, study your local maps, to become familiar with escape routes. If main roads are blocked, your family may need to be aware of various alternatives.
• Obey local authorities in case of all evacuation situations. Even if their instructions are slightly different than your family’s plan, you should always follow their direction.
• Does your family have pets? If there is an evacuation, your family pet will need a place to go. Make arrangements with friends or relatives who can care for your pets. If your family is forced to go to an emergency shelter, pets may not be allowed.
• Finally, refresh your family’s knowledge and understanding of disaster preparedness by regularly holding Family Home Evenings that review your disaster plan.

Thanks to Marcia Lind for allowing us to share her knowledge.