community – 1800PrepareBlog

Entire communities are getting together to collectively prepare for emergencies. One example is the Smith Valley Community Emergency Response Training group, located in Nevada. The CERT group is part of a national program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. They hold meetings at a local high school and adults and teens are invited to attend.

The last meeting held by the group was centered around a mock drill based on a major earthquake. More than 30 students and adults participated in the disaster drill. Each participant completed 5 workstations that address a particular disaster and emergency preparedness skills. These included:

Automatic External Defibrillation
Treatment for bleeding and shock
Search and rescue
Triage
HazMat and fire suppression

These are vital skills that every individual should aspire to learn as part of emergency preparedness. Having the right survival kits is an essential start. However, knowing how to use your supplies is crucial.

If your community does not have a CERT group, consider taking first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and fire safety classes. You can often enroll in these classes for free or for a small fee at a community college or public library. Various groups and associations also offer similar classes to group members and the public.

Source:

http://www.rgj.com/article/20091204/MVN04/912040373/1041/mvn

There’s a push this winter by local governments to educate residents on winter preparedness and safety. For example, officials in Ameren, Illinois hosted an open house recently for the purpose of letting area residents know what supplies they need if a storm causes a power outage for a few days. Officials recommend the Ameren’s family safety emergency supply list which includes the following:

Flashlight
Battery-powered radio
Battery-powered clock
Extra batteries
Scissors
Duct tape
Screwdriver and other hand tools
Work gloves
Safety goggles
Blankets
First-aid kit
Cash and important phone numbers
Extra car keys
Cell phones along with car chargers

Spokesperson Victoria Busch said, “The number one thing that customers need to understand is family safety comes first. Being prepared will help customers to be safe.” She went on to state that residents should make sure they have enough food and water for 72 hours.

This is a first step, but most families should aspire to go beyond a 72 hour preparedness level, and have more supplies than listed above. A home, car and office survival kit will include more light, communication and shelter supplies that you’ll need to stay safe during a prolonged power outage.

Source:

http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=11618811