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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
Things you can do to prepare for an emergency.

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From an Environmental Geology Class in Sacramento, California, comes this list of some things which we can do, as individuals, to help ourselves when disaster strikes. Emergency responses are activities which are handled by individuals, by groups of individuals, and by formal organizations made up of individuals. It, then, stand to reason that the most effective responses will be handled by individuals on the scene who have some level of training and are prepared to act!

Remember, it is our responsibility to survive! The best plans and most effective systems are only worthwhile to the extent which we know how to work with (and within) them. It is up to us to become trained and knowledgeable. The knowledge we need to survive is readily available but it is up to us, as individuals, to seek out that knowledge and be ready when the next disaster strikes.

1. Become aware of emergencies and prepared to handle them by taking an Emergency Preparedness course. Some of the best sources are through Red Cross classes and (for younger learners) through organized youth activities such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire, FFA, 4-H, and others.

2. Store enough water in sealed containers to last you (or your family) for up to three days. The minimum quantity is about two gallons per person per day for all uses (which allows about 1 quart per person per day for drinking).

3. Store nonperishable foods to feed yourself (or your family) for up to three days. Don't forget to store a can opener with them if you are storing canned goods.

4. Store a flashlight (with extra batteries). Beware of candles -- they could set off an explosion if there is any leaking gas.

5. Set aside a battery-operated portable radionwith extra batteries. Have this radio pre-tuned to your local Emergency Notification Station.

6. Purchase or prepare a Emergency First Aid Kit. Band-Aids are NOT enough.

7. Set aside a storage case with blankets and extra clothing.

8. Set aside tools for digging and prying. At a minimum this should include a good hammer, two types of screwdrivers (blade and phillips head), a round-nose shovel, and a pick-axe or long pry-bar.

9. Plan several evacuation routes from buildings in which you are frequently located (including your home) and then from the areas in which these buildings are located.

10. Set a meeting place outside your home or other frequently visited building, then set another meeting place outside of the general area in case you are separated from family or friends and must evacuate.

11. Set up a third-party contact outside of the area which you can use to locate or contact others if you become separated.

12. Make sure than all important documents are stored in a fire- and water-resistant container which can be reached quickly in case of evacuation. In this container (as well as on your person) it is wise to carry a small amount of money which is to be used only in extreme emergencies.

13. Always carry some form of identification with a phone number of someone to contact in case of an emergency. You would be surprised how many people wear ID bracelets and military-style "dog-tags". (Submitted by D. Wainright - Los Angeles, California)

14. Store or carry a personal flotation device and 50 feet of rope. In this case, a boat does not count as a "flotation device" (but having one might serve more than one purpose . . . right? (Submitted by G. Matthews - Sacramento, California)

CLASS ACTIVITY / JOURNAL ASSIGNMENTS

1. Select one (or more) of the activities shown above and prepare yourself (or your family) accordingly.

2. What other kinds of preparations do you think you should make to help yourself (and others) survive a disaster.

3. Prepare a list of emergency resources in your community along with their nearest locations to your home, school, or place of work. Make sure this list provides both emergency and non-emergency telephone numbers.

If you woud like to submit suggestions which we might add to this list, e-mail them (please include your name and the town you live in) to get.ready@iveleague.org

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