Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.ramonajournal.com/news/2008/0901/front_page/003.html
Creating a Plan in Case of DISASTER
By Tracy Rolling
As residents of Ramona, Julian and the backcountry prepare for the height of fire season, Jill Olen, Director of San Diego Public Safety and San Diego Homeland Security, says,"People should be prepared, not just for a fire, but for any major disaster."
She also said,"The best way to avoid danger and damage to you and your property is to be prepared."
"Historically, the further away we get from an incident, the more complacent people become."
Referencing 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, Olen says that right after the incidents, people are ambitious about creating a personal disaster plan and putting together an emergency kit.
According to a 2007 survey conducted by the Office of Emergency Services, fewer than half of San Diego County residents have a Family Disaster Plan.
With September being National Preparedness month, local officials are focusing on raising community awareness and providing resources through outreach and prevention programs funded in part by two separate grants, each approximately $600,000.
One new piece of literature is a Preparedness Wheel. On one side it lists eight different unpredictable disasters and the steps people can take should that event occur. On the reverse side it lists a set of actions individuals should follow when creating a plan.
As an example: Pandemic Influenza is one of the disasters listed on the wheel.The wheel suggests learning more about the outbreak, storing a twoweek supply of food and water, staying home if you are sick and practicing good hygiene.
In terms of action, the wheel recommends people assess potential disasters in their community, create a support network, identify resources, make an evacuation plan and seek shelter.
Another piece of literature is the Family Disaster Plan and Personal Survival Guide.The eight-page booklet allows families to personalize and document everything from where emergency shut-off valves for water, gas and circuit breakers are located, to knowing each child's school disaster policy.
The booklets are available in multiple languages and online at www.co.san-diego.ca.us/oes/ docs/FamilyDisasterPlan.pdf.
Olen says,"Disasters rarely happen at a convenient time. Families should have a plan in place and discuss things like where to meet after an incident and designate a number where everyone can call and check it, even if it's out-of-state."
She says first responders rely on members of the community to know something about their neighbors, particularly the more fragile populations such as elderly and those with special needs.
Olen suggests,"If you're capable, healthy and not injured, you should check on your neighbors and their animals to see if you can help."
"As we saw last year during the October wildfires, the government can't always get there immediately. They're working as fast as they can, but often first responders rely on the healthy to direct them to those who might need help."
Olen says the OES conducts regular preparedness seminars with school and citizen groups throughout the community. She also said that preparedness starts with each individual. She encourages people to learn more at www.co.san-diego. ca.us/oes/ and www.ready sandiego.org.
BASIC PREPAREDNESS TIPS
Basic preparedness tips include creating a disaster plan and having an emergency supply kit available at work, home and in the car. Suggested items include:
? Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
? Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
? Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
? Flashlight and extra batteries
? First aid kit
? Whistle to signal for help
? Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
? Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
? Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
? Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
? Local maps
Additional Items to Consider are:
? Prescription medications and glasses
? Infant formula and diapers
? Pet food and extra water for your pet
? Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
? Cash or traveler's checks and change
? Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
? Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
? Complete change of clothing including a longsleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
? Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
? Fire Extinguisher
? Matches in a waterproof container
? Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
? Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
? Paper and pencil
? Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
Creating a Plan in Case of DISASTER
By Tracy Rolling
As residents of Ramona, Julian and the backcountry prepare for the height of fire season, Jill Olen, Director of San Diego Public Safety and San Diego Homeland Security, says,"People should be prepared, not just for a fire, but for any major disaster."
She also said,"The best way to avoid danger and damage to you and your property is to be prepared."
"Historically, the further away we get from an incident, the more complacent people become."
Referencing 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, Olen says that right after the incidents, people are ambitious about creating a personal disaster plan and putting together an emergency kit.
According to a 2007 survey conducted by the Office of Emergency Services, fewer than half of San Diego County residents have a Family Disaster Plan.
With September being National Preparedness month, local officials are focusing on raising community awareness and providing resources through outreach and prevention programs funded in part by two separate grants, each approximately $600,000.
One new piece of literature is a Preparedness Wheel. On one side it lists eight different unpredictable disasters and the steps people can take should that event occur. On the reverse side it lists a set of actions individuals should follow when creating a plan.
As an example: Pandemic Influenza is one of the disasters listed on the wheel.The wheel suggests learning more about the outbreak, storing a twoweek supply of food and water, staying home if you are sick and practicing good hygiene.
In terms of action, the wheel recommends people assess potential disasters in their community, create a support network, identify resources, make an evacuation plan and seek shelter.
Another piece of literature is the Family Disaster Plan and Personal Survival Guide.The eight-page booklet allows families to personalize and document everything from where emergency shut-off valves for water, gas and circuit breakers are located, to knowing each child's school disaster policy.
The booklets are available in multiple languages and online at www.co.san-diego.ca.us/oes/ docs/FamilyDisasterPlan.pdf.
Olen says,"Disasters rarely happen at a convenient time. Families should have a plan in place and discuss things like where to meet after an incident and designate a number where everyone can call and check it, even if it's out-of-state."
She says first responders rely on members of the community to know something about their neighbors, particularly the more fragile populations such as elderly and those with special needs.
Olen suggests,"If you're capable, healthy and not injured, you should check on your neighbors and their animals to see if you can help."
"As we saw last year during the October wildfires, the government can't always get there immediately. They're working as fast as they can, but often first responders rely on the healthy to direct them to those who might need help."
Olen says the OES conducts regular preparedness seminars with school and citizen groups throughout the community. She also said that preparedness starts with each individual. She encourages people to learn more at www.co.san-diego. ca.us/oes/ and www.ready sandiego.org.
BASIC PREPAREDNESS TIPS
Basic preparedness tips include creating a disaster plan and having an emergency supply kit available at work, home and in the car. Suggested items include:
? Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
? Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
? Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
? Flashlight and extra batteries
? First aid kit
? Whistle to signal for help
? Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
? Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
? Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
? Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
? Local maps
Additional Items to Consider are:
? Prescription medications and glasses
? Infant formula and diapers
? Pet food and extra water for your pet
? Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
? Cash or traveler's checks and change
? Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
? Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
? Complete change of clothing including a longsleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
? Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
? Fire Extinguisher
? Matches in a waterproof container
? Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
? Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
? Paper and pencil
? Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.