 EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS
Part 1Terence M. Shumaker
This month let’s examine a topic related to our own survival in an emergency. This discussion is not meant to spread fear and alarm, but merely to let you know that awareness and some level of planning and preparation is always good. As the old expression goes, “It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”
It’s true, we are not in control. And that is more evident by the increasing ferocity of weather, storms and fires. It has been said that all we ever do is react and respond to conditions around us. And how we react to a situation often determines how we come out on the other side.
So, with the advent of summer, it’s probably a good time to think about how we would react should the unthinkable happen to us. A house fire, or worse, a firestorm sweeping thorough our neighborhood. Things we don’t like to think about, but thinking about it gives us a better chance of reacting to a situation in a rational manner.
With that sobering thought in mind, let’s take a look at some proactive things we can do to help ensure that when and if we have to react in an emergency, it will be based on a rational plan and not emotion.
FIRE AWARENESS
First, I am not an expert on fire, other than building awesome campfires thanks to Boy Scout training, nor am I a fireman. I can only say that I have done a good bit of study on emergency preparedness, so I can offer a few ideas and links to information that can help you prepare yourself and your family in the time of an emergency.
Awareness in any aspect of our lives is a good thing. And regarding fire, the first line of defense is in our homes.
Whereas we can be proactive in trying to safeguard our homes from fire starting inside, it is more challenging to protect our homes from a wildfire. In the past, major fires occurred mostly in forests and prairies. We called these “forest fires” and “brush fires.” But now, with the effects of climate change creating unpredictable weather and stronger storms, the term “wildfire” is firmly planted in our vocabulary.
As we have seen in wildfires of previous years in California and Oregon, strong winds have driven fire from fields and forests and indiscriminately through towns and residential communities, forcing immediate evacuation of humans and livestock. When these types of fires threaten communities, the best defense is to be prepared to evacuate.
HOME PREPAREDNESS
I will not attempt to put into words all of the precautions you should take to protect your home from fire. Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue maintains an excellent list of resources for fire safety, prevention and emergency preparedness. Check them out.
Home fire safety – Excellent video on protecting your home.
Emergency preparedness – Plentiful information on all aspects of emergency and disaster preparedness.
Ready, Set, Go – Complete outline of emergency preparedness steps.
EVACUATION PREPAREDNESS
Numerous resources exist for information on preparing for emergencies, and in later articles we’ll examine some. But regarding the topic of evacuating due to a wildfire, there is one important resource we should all think about buying or making. It’s called a “Go Bag,” or “Bug Out Bag.” This is preferably a backpack located where it can be quickly grabbed on your way out the door to your car. You can make your own, or any number of companies will be happy to take your money for a complete go bag. Here’s a few resources.
Build your own go bag – Red Cross
Build a Kit - FEMA
Commercial go bag – Judy Company. Their bags contain a complete assortment of supplies, have both backpack straps and a carry handle, and are waterproof, similar to “dry bags” used for kayaking and canoeing.
SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING
It goes without saying that trying to imagine what we would do in times of a dire emergency is not the line of thinking we want to engage in. We all have probably thought at one time or another that “this can’t happen to me.” And the odds are it won’t. But I always remember the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared.”
So don’t worry about what could happen, but instead, use your energy to think about how you would respond and what you would need. Any planning and preparation you can do is better than ignoring the possibilities.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS FOR OUR NEXT COLLECTION - July 9 is our next pickup day, and we’ll be collecting all those items that go into making a home. See Week-at-a-Glance for details.
Thanks so much for your cooperation, and as always, we greatly appreciate the thoughtful participation of our members. Cheers!
Review or re-reading Terry's articles by clicking on the link: https://tinyurl.com/Recycling-Articles
Return to Table of Contents
|