JANUARY - FEBRUARY - MARCH 2014
ELMA / WEST SENECA SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 2006
ELMA
JANUARY - FEBRUARY - MARCH 2014
WINTER STORMS & EXTREME COLD
Edward R. Sauer Emergency Manager (716) 652-7635 oem@elmanewyork.com MEETINGS - 7:00 PM 2nd Wednesday of the Month • January 8th • February 12th • March 12th Training and meetings are held at the Elma Senior Center unless noted.
weather updates While the danger from winter weather varies across the country, nearly all Americans, • Minimize travel, If travel is necessary, regardless of where they live, are likely to keep your disaster supplies in your Elma Senior Center * Town Hall face some type of severe winter weather vehicle 3007 Bowen Rd. 1600 Bowen Rd. at some point in their lives. Winter storms Elma, NY 14059 Elma, NY 14059 • Bring pets inside during the winter can range from a moderate snow over a few weather hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-drivCheck here for updates en snow that lasts for several days. Many • Have food and water stored Web: winter storms are accompanied by dangerwww.elmanewyork.com/oem/ECert.htm • Have a good communications plan with ously low temperatures and sometimes by your family and coworkers Facebook: strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain. Elma Community Emergency One of the primary concerns is the winter During the Storm Response Team, Inc. • Stay indoors during the storm weather’s ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to your home • Walk carefully on snowy, icy walkways WEST SENECA or office, sometimes for days at a time. • Avoid exertion when shoveling snow. John Gullo Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can imEmergency Manager mobilize an entire region. • Keep dry. (716) 558-3238 The National Weather Service refers to • Watch for signs of frostbite and hypojgullo@twsny.org winter storms as the “Deceptive Killers” bethermia and get medical help immedicause most deaths are indirectly related to MEETINGS - 7:00 PM ately if the symptoms below occur. the storm. Instead, people die in traffic acci3rd Monday of the month Frostbite symptoms include loss of dents on icy roads and of hypothermia from • January 20th feeling and white or pale appearance prolonged exposure to cold. It is important in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear Shelter Operations to be prepared for winter weather before it • February 17th lobes, and the tip of the nose. Hypostrikes. CPR Training thermia symptoms include uncontrolBefore the Storm • March 17th lable shivering, memory loss, disoriTo prepare for a winter storm you should do First Aid Refresher entation, incoherence, slurred speech, Please watch the website and Facebook the following: drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. for training and meeting locations. If symptoms of hypothermia are de• Have rock salt on hand tected, get the victim to a warm loca• Have snow shovels handy Check here for updates tion, remove wet clothing, warm the Web: • Have adequate clothing and blankets center of the body first and give warm, www.wscert.net to keep you warm in your home, car non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is Facebook: and workplace conscious. West Seneca Cert • Listen to the NOAA weather radio for
JANUARY - FEBRUARY - MARCH 2014 • Drive only if it is absolutely if necessary • If pipes freeze, remove insulation and heat slowly. Turn faucets on and pour some hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold. • Check to ensure your flues and exhaust pipes are clear of snow. • Maintain proper ventilation if using a wood stove, fireplace or kerosene heaters to avoid build up of toxic fumes. • Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least three feet from flammable objects. • Ensure batteries are replaced in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
After the Storm • If you are without power or heat during extreme cold check for a shelter in your area. • Continue to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers. Stay indoors, if possible. For more information about this topic visit the following website links or attend a training class offered in the area. National Weather Service • www.noaawatch.gov Federal Emergency Management • www.fema.gov American Red Cross • www.redcross.org Be Informed, Get a Kit, Have a Plan
GENERATOR SAFETY
CANDLE SAFETY
Electric generators can provide you with piece of mind and convenience when you are faced with a temporary loss of electric service.
Lit chandles are used in homes for lighting or ambiences and in reservices. Follow these safety guidelines when oper- ligious Whether using one ating a generator: cancle or more than • Before installing a generator, be sure one on a candleabra to properly disconnect from your utility make sure you take a few moments to electrical service. If possible, have learn about using candles safely. your generator installed by a qualified Candes should be place in a sturdy candle electrician. holder that is not easy to tip • Run generators outside, downwind They should not be handed from one perof structures. NEVER run a generator indoors. Deadly carbon monoxide son to another gas from the generators exhaust can lit candelse should not be placed in winspread throughout enclosed spaces. dows where a blind or curtain could catch Install a carbon monoxide detector. fire • Fuel spilled on a hot generator can cause an explosion. If your generator has a detachable fuel tank remove it before refilling. If this is not possible, shut off the generator and let it cool before refilling.
Blow out candles when you leave the room or to go sleep
• Do not exceed the rated capacity of your generator. Most of the small, home-use portable generators produce from 350 to 12,000 watts of power. Overloading your generator can damage it, the appliances connected to it, and may cause a fire. Follow the manufacturers instructions.
Candles should be out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep children away from generators at all times.
If a candle must burn, be sure it is enclosed in a glass container and placed in a sink ona metal tray or in a deep basin filled with water
Matches and lighters should be out of reach of children When you are burining candles please keep general fire safety in mind. Smoke detectors should be on every level of your home and placed in the best possible locations. Have the right kind of fire extinguishers on hand.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY - MARCH 2014
FAMILY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PLAN
(HAM) AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE TECHNICIAN CLASS FEBRUARY 3RD
Emergencies can happen at any time. Do you know how to get in touch with your An Amaterur Radio License Technician family if you are not together? Class will start on February 3rd at the Before an emergency happens, have a West Seneca Kiwanis Center. The Center family discussion to determine who would is located at 50 Legion Drive in West Senbe your out-of-state point of contact, and eca and starts at 6:00 pm. where you would meet away from your The class is being taught by a group from home — both in the neighborhood and the Lancaster Amateur Radio Club and lowithin your town. cal HAM Radio operators. Class materials Pick a Meeting Spot
are $20. The exame fee is $15.00
Where will you meet up with your family if you have to get out of your house quickly? Where will you meet if your neighborhood is being evacuated and you’re not at home?
Registration required for attending the class. Please register early to ensure enough materials for class.
If you need to take the test only please let organizers know.To register email w2sv@ A place withIn the neighborhood could be verison.net or leave a message at 716a neighbor’s house or big tree. An Out of 982-4477. your neighborhood expample could be the WEST SENECA CERT library or house of worship. CERT members in attendance at the October meeting were treated to a very important and informative session regarding the causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of both hypothermia and frostLet them know you’re OK! bite. Ron presented the members with Pick the same person for each family information that will help them throughout member to contact. It might be easier to their lives. reach someone who’s out of town Also discussed the importance of what Unless you are in immediate danger, send items we should always have on hand in a text. Texts often have an easier time get- our GO-BAGS. What is placed within the ting through during emergencies, and you bags will give us better odds in survival don’t want to tie up phone lines needed by and/or emergency situations. The Group emergency responders (like 911). finished off the evening with information For more information and forms on family on identifying snakes and poison plants. communication plans visit www.fema.gov Something to be aware of if called out for a Search and Rescue mission
Draw a Map Put a ∆ to show your home. Put a O to show your school. Mark your out-of-neighborhood meeting spot with an X and label it
SAFETY TIP: Keep Water & Energy Bars On Hand Dehydration and lack of food are enemies that can strike at any time because once you get a call, you never know when you ll get your next meal or even drink of water. A bottle of water and a couple of balance bars in your kit can make all the difference when you get stuck on that long call. Signs of dehydration include headaches, lethargy, decreased urine output and an increased pulse rate. Low blood-sugar and lack of food can make you jittery and very tired. Both states decrease your performance, judgment and survival potential.
SNOW SHOVELING It is that time of the year that with the snow flying we should shovel the sidewalks in front of our homes and businesses. This allows safe passage for the community to traverse. In addition, if you have a fire hydrant in front of your house or near by shovel the hydrant out. It assists responding fire companies to get the hydrant that is there to protect your home or business. It saves time to find it and be able to hook up to the hydrant. If you have anymore questions please feel free to log onto www.westseneca.net for more tips and suggestions.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY - MARCH 2014
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR BUSINESSES SEMINAR
UPCOMING TRAINING & EVENTS CALENDAR January
The West Seneca Chamber of Commerce 20 WS CERT Shelter Operations will be holding An Emergency Preparedness for Businesses seminar on Tuesday, February February 11th. 3 HAM Radio Class Starts Kiwanis Center in West Seneca This seminar will be focused on various
ELMA CERT DONATED GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Elma CERT team adopted a family this holiday season. The team purchased and wrapped presents that were presented to a family by the Iroquois School.
AREA CERT MEETING HOSTED BY ELMA CERT In November the Elma CERT group hosted a get together of area CERT groups. In attendance were members of Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Tonawanda, and West Seneca CERT Groups. Many ideas and information were shared for training exercises and future events. Many teams talked about their history and how they came to be. EMPact America attended and contributed to refreshments.
emergency situations that can happen and how to prepare for them. From what to do if the power goes out to a disaster situation. Individuals prepare for emergencies at home, but give no thought about what if a disaster or emergency occurred at work. Since Hurricane Sandy and September 11th many businesses have started to plan for emergency situations.
11 Emergency Preparedness for Business seminar - West Seneca Chamber of Commerce www.westseneca. org for more information
West Seneca Disaster Coordinator, John Gullo will be speaking 7:30 am on Tuesday, February 11th at the Columns Banquet Center. The Banquet center is located at 2221 Transit Road in Elma. The cost will be $15 per person, which will include a breakfast buffet.
17 WS CERT First Aid Refresher
Registrations can be made online at www. westseneca.org/page/community-calendar or by calling the chamber office at 716-674-4900 ext. 3.
12 City of Buffalo CERT Classes Start www.niagara.edu/bcs-enrollment 17 WS CERT CPR Training March April 21 WS CERT Search & Rescue Training and Tips Check the West Seneca CERT and Elma CERT, Inc. websites for updates and upcoming events. Anone interested in training provided by SMART must pre-register at: www2.erie. gov/smart. Some trainings may have prerequisites. For more information on HAM Radio classes visit South Towns Amateur Radio Society online at: http://stars.thefruths.com
CITY OF BUFFALO CERT CLASSES START FEB. 12 CERT training is a FREE Citizen Preparedness course that includes academic and hands-on instruction. It is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster.
ELMA CODE RED NOTIFICATION
WEST SENECA NIXLE NOTIFICATION
In Elma sign-up for Code Red to be notified by your local emergency response team in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts. Signup for Code Red by visiting the town website at: www.elmanewyork.com
Sign up for emergency and non-emergency alerts for up-to-date information during an incident or anytime from the office of Disaster Preparedness. Nixle will provide the same EAS message to every one who signs up. To register visit www.nixle.com
Class will begin on Wednesday, February 12th and run seven (7) consecutive Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. The course will finish with a disaster simulation on April 2nd. Classes to be held at the Buffalo Fire Department Training Center located at 20 Elmwood Avenue (corner of Virginia Ave.) in the City of Buffalo. To register call (716) 205-0075 or online by visiting: www.niagara.edu/bcs-enrollment