The Great California Shakeout - Preparedness
October 18, 2012
In just about one and a half hours the fifth Great California Shakeout exercise will take place. Emergency agencies, schools and municipalities will be participating in a response to a simulated 7.8 earthquake with an epicenter near the Salton Sea. While most of us will probably not be participating in this drill, we should evaluate our own preparedness.
According to Cal Tech scientists, water could be a key element in a person's survival. While we have been told that we need to be prepared for at least 72 hours on our own, these scientists are recommending that our water supply be no less than one gallon per person for a minimum of seven days.
We may already have food supplies for this 71 hours, but do we have a disaster preparedness plan?
I know I do not. I have a crank and solar operated radio, flashlight and cell phone charger device. I was however dismayed to learn that it is anticipated that cell phone towers may be totally out of operation. So much for feeling I could reach my family to check on their situations after the first major shock had subsided.
I also realized that we, as a family needed to determine how we might assist each other and how we would actually be able to make contact. This can be especially important if you have school age children.
Your plan needs to include the location of your flashlights, the dates when the batteries were checked, and a supply of extra batteries.
You need to know where you are storing that special wrench that will turn off the gas at your gas meter.
I also heard that after the shaking stops you should unplug alal electronic devices and electrical appliances as electrical shorts can cause fires.
As the years go by and we have time to learn more about earthquakes, we have time to prepare. These annual drills give our emergency providers more insight as to how to prepare.
In just about one and a half hours the fifth Great California Shakeout exercise will take place. Emergency agencies, schools and municipalities will be participating in a response to a simulated 7.8 earthquake with an epicenter near the Salton Sea. While most of us will probably not be participating in this drill, we should evaluate our own preparedness.
According to Cal Tech scientists, water could be a key element in a person's survival. While we have been told that we need to be prepared for at least 72 hours on our own, these scientists are recommending that our water supply be no less than one gallon per person for a minimum of seven days.
We may already have food supplies for this 71 hours, but do we have a disaster preparedness plan?
I know I do not. I have a crank and solar operated radio, flashlight and cell phone charger device. I was however dismayed to learn that it is anticipated that cell phone towers may be totally out of operation. So much for feeling I could reach my family to check on their situations after the first major shock had subsided.
I also realized that we, as a family needed to determine how we might assist each other and how we would actually be able to make contact. This can be especially important if you have school age children.
Your plan needs to include the location of your flashlights, the dates when the batteries were checked, and a supply of extra batteries.
You need to know where you are storing that special wrench that will turn off the gas at your gas meter.
I also heard that after the shaking stops you should unplug alal electronic devices and electrical appliances as electrical shorts can cause fires.
As the years go by and we have time to learn more about earthquakes, we have time to prepare. These annual drills give our emergency providers more insight as to how to prepare.
posted by shirley harry at 8:43 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home