OREGON COAST
BE READY
STORM READY Expo
PRESENTED BY:
Saturday, March 30, 2019 FLORENCE EVENTS CENTER
FREE ADMISSION LIVE DEMOS, VENDORS, PRIZES!
FREE HOT DOG LUNCH SPONSORED BY KIWANIS OF FLORENCE
OPEN 10 AM TO 3 PM Sponsored by:
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2 | DISASTER PREPARATION | MARCH 2019
Thank you, Florence, for planning ahead. There’s nothing like being prepared. We’re on board with that.
Let’s create tomorrow, together.
Florence Branch 777 Hwy 101 541-997-3486
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Member FDIC
MARCH 2019 | DISASTER PREPARATION | 3
BE READY – STORM READY
S
iuslaw News and Western Lane Emergency Operations Group welcome the community to the fourth annual Be Ready Disaster Preparedness Expo, Be Ready — Storm Ready, on Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. Admission is free with a donation to Florence Food Share. In addition, Florence Kiwanis Club will be grilling up a free hot dog lunch. For the second time, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor is holding emergency suturing. The classes will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The cost is $25, and people can sign up by calling 541-902-3524. The Be Ready Expo will have speakers and demonstrations that will help prepare the community for the increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events. In Western Lane County, people live in an isolated area that may be cut off from resources for 10 or more days if a large disaster were to occur. Dave Robinson, author of “Disaster Prep for the Rest of Us,” returns to the area to be the keynote speaker at noon. Robinson is an Air Force and Vietnam veteran who served 15 years as a police officer, including positions as a patrol sergeant and patrol lieutenant. Now retired, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and was the Postmaster in Bandon, Ore., for 10 years. He currently lives in the Myrtle Point area with his wife, Dee, and two grandsons. He has lived on the Oregon coast since 1971. “I’ve always been one of those guys who carries a first aid kit in my car,” Robinson said. “If something happened and you couldn’t get home, do you have with you what you need to sustain for a few days? I started putting together a kit to carry with me.” Robinson began teaching about disaster preparedness after the March 11, 2011, Japanese earthquake sent the Oregon coast a wake-up call in the form of a tsunami which caused millions of dollars in damage to the Port of Coos Bay and other coastal communities. “People up and down the coast immediately stocked up on camping gear and some actually began prepping for ‘The Big One,’” Robinson said, referring to a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake
that experts predict will cause massive damage and a tsunami. If a disaster approaches with warning, stores won’t be able to keep emergency supplies on the shelf, including camping gear, outdoor cooking stoves, batteries, candles and food. “I tell everyone to pretend they can’t go to the store for a week, and your electricity is out, and your phone won’t work. Decide what you’re going to need. You need to have this stuff ahead of time so that if there’s a disaster, then you don’t have to try to stock up. By then, it will be too late,” Robinson said. Robinson’s disaster expertise goes beyond the natural disaster preparation. He plans to bring his homemade solar generator and a list of items people should keep on hand, besides the obvious food, water and supplies. “The most important thing you can do to prepare doesn’t cost a cent,” he said. “That’s a little teaser that will be included in the talk.” Robinson will also offer advice on preparing for winter weather. “Our bad winter storms are basically wind storms off the ocean. If we get 80-90 mph winds, we call it a big storm. If we got those winds on the east coast, they get a name, and get called a hurricane. I’ve lived through several of those, and they do seem to be getting more severe,” he said. At this time of year, Robinson replaces the gasoline in his generator, clears his house of trees — both for protection against the danger of falling limbs in a storm and to create “defensible space” during the extreme fire danger currently in place — and makes sure his family keeps gas tanks at least half full and enough food and cash on hand to get by for several days. Robinson’s disaster prep column is now published in nearly 30 newspapers all across the U.S. The first three years of his column became “Disaster Prep for the Rest of Us,” which is available on Amazon.com and at Saturday’s expo. He also has additional tips on disasterprepdave.blogspot.com. In addition to Robinson’s address and demonstrations, vendors will fill the floor of the events center with survival techniques and preparedness lessons.
IDENTIFY • PREPARE • SURVIVE
Disaster Preparedness Expo • Saturday, March 30 • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. Free Admission • Live Demos, Vendors & Prizes • Suturing/CPR Classes • Free Hot Dog Lunch by Kiwanis Club of Florence
4 | DISASTER PREPARATION | MARCH 2019
Residents should look to WLEOG to plan for emergencies
The City of Florence is a founding member of the West Lane Emergency Operations Group (WLEOG), which coordinates regional emergency management, preparedness, education and response. This group was formed from the need to coordinate emergency preparation and response efforts in the wake of a Cascadia event. Planning for the catastrophic event allows local agencies to work together and coordinate efforts, which results in the ability to respond efficiently and effectively to the more frequent and smaller events. WLEOG and its partner agencies encourage citizens to prepare themselves and their families for emergency situations. Emergency Preparedness is essential for individuals and families. People need to take the proper measures to be prepared in case of a natural disaster since the forces of Mother Nature can be very unpredictable.
Government agencies and disaster organizations cannot bear the sole responsibility to prepare for and respond to disasters. The entire Florence community can take actions to become prepared to respond and recover from any natural or man-made disaster no matter how big or small. The more people who are prepared, the quicker the community will recover. Florence area first responders may not always be able to reach you quickly in an emergency or disaster, and the most important step a person can take in helping responders is being able to take care of oneself and those in ones care for at least a short period of time following an incident. Community members are encouraged to take time to prepare themselves and those in their care for emergencies and disasters that can impact neighborhoods for days at a time. Florence-area residents who are prepared to meet emergencies or disas-
ters can be a positive influence on their neighbors by sharing their preparedness story and encouraging friends, family and coworkers to be prepared, too. Visit the WLEOG website for information on what to include in your emergency supplies at www.wleog.org. As a city, Florence plans for emergencies varying from the typical storms it sees on an annual basis to a Cascadia earthquake and resulting tsunami. Public Works employees are constantly monitoring the status of the infrastructure in order to maintain high service levels for area citizens. Visit www.ci.florence.or.us/em for more information on Emergency Management in the City of Florence, including registering your cell phone to receive emergency alerts, tsunami information, tsunami evacuation maps, individual preparedness steps and what the different tsunami siren tones mean.
West Lane Emergency Operations Group WLEOG.ORG Members City of Florence • Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians • Dunes City • Mapleton Fire District • Peace Harbor Medical Center • Port of Siuslaw • Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue • Western Lane Ambulance District Associate Members American Red Cross • Apex Helicopter • Greentrees Village • Florence Area Chamber of Commerce • Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter • Lane Community College • Lane County Public Health • Oregon Coast Humane Society • Oregon Department of Transportation • Oregon Episcopal Diocese • Oregon Parks and Recreation • Oregon State HSPR Program • Senior and Disabled Services • Siuslaw School District • U.S. Coast Guard • West Lane ARES/RACES
Western Lane Ambulance District
Invites You to
LEARN CPR
BE PREPARED! Senator Arnie Roblan Call (503) 986-1705
CPR Certifications
or email sen.arnieroblan@ state.or.us.
2nd Saturday of every month 9am to 1pm at Western Lane Ambulance District
Democrat - District 5 Coos Bay
Adult CPR - $50.00 Child Infant CPR Supplemental - $25.00 Total - $75 for both
Call 541-997-9614 www.westernlaneambulance.com
oregonlegislature.gov/roblan
MARCH 2019 | DISASTER PREPARATION |
Emergency preparedness tips for seniors
Natural disasters can strike at any time, and when they do, the damage is often considerable. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, between 2005 and 2014, natural disasters caused $1.4 trillion in damage across the globe, affecting 1.7 billion people along the way. Various preventive measures can protect people and their homes from the potentially devastating impact of natural disasters. For example, oceanfront communities may be able to decrease property damage by exacting certain measures, such as building homes on stilts. Another way to prevent tragedy related to natural disasters is to develop an emergency preparedness plan before the next storm strikes. That’s important for everyone, but
especially so for seniors, many of whom live with mobility issues that can compromise their ability to escape the eye of oncoming storms. In recognition of the potential problems seniors face when natural disasters strike, the American Red Cross offers the following tips to seniors and their families so aging men and women can make it through such situations safe and sound. • Make arrangements to contact loved ones. Prior to an emergency, seniors and their support network should make arrangements to make immediate contact once a disaster strikes. Determine who will make initial contact and how that contact will be made (i.e., via phone, text message, social media, etc.), as well as who will be responsible for providing assistance if necessary. Such a plan lets everyone within the support network know their precise responsibilities, which limits confusion in the sometimes hectic hours and days after disaster strikes. • Exchange keys. Make sure everyone in the support network has keys to seniors’ homes. In so doing, support networks are increasing the chances that someone will be able to reach potentially vulnerable seniors if the primary contacts are incapable of doing so.
• Let others know where emergency supplies are kep Everyone should have emergency supplies in their home Seniors should not take it for granted that such suppli can be easily found if they become incapacitated during storm. Make sure such information can be easily access during a storm by emailing it to your support network an or posting the information in a convenient location in yo home, such as on the refrigerator. • Share your evacuation plans. In the wake of recent d sasters, many communities that did not previously feel vu nerable to natural disasters have devised evacuation pla for residents. Seniors should share these plans with the support networks. Doing so makes it easier for relatives find you if you must evacuate your home before help a rives. • Share important medical information. Seniors shou share medical information, such as healthcare provide and a list of the medications they’re taking. This can ma things easier for emergency responders to successfully tre people who become incapacitated during storms. Emergency preparedness strategies save lives. More i formation about how seniors can prepare for emergenci is available at www.redcross.org.
PREP YOUR BUSINESS!
Come by the information table for important tips on preparing your business for all kinds of situations!
Not a member yet? Join us today! 541-997-3128 www.FlorenceChamber.com Bettina@FlorenceChamber.com 290 Hwy. 101 • Florence
www.ci.florence.or.us
Creating an emergency kit with WLEOG
Western Lane Emergency Operations Group offers this emergency preparation information and more on its website, wleog. org. In addition, it has how-to videos for making a family plan and choosing to evacuate or remain in place.
E
mergency Preparedness is essential for individuals and families. You and your family need to take the proper measures to be prepared in case of a natural disaster. Mother Nature can be very unpredictable and if you are prepared and have the proper supplies on hand, then it will help eliminate some of the
stress while you are trying to recuperate from an emergency situation. Food storage and other aids are important to keep up-to-date and have for survival. Sometimes creating a food storage supply can be overwhelming. An essential kit that can get you started in preparing your family for an emergency situation is a 72-hour kit. Having a 72-hour kit available for each individual in your family can be a lifesaving item. It is a good idea to have a big kit with things for your entire family and also have some individual kits that fit the needs of certain family members. Suggested nonperishable food items to
keep in the kit include: ready-to-eat good unbreakable containers, canned meats, ju fruits and vegetables, powdered milk, inf care foods, crackers, peanut butter, fre dried and dehydrated goods. The following 72-Hour Emergency Kit sho be individually tailored to meet the basic vival needs of your family for three days t week. Most families prefer to store their em gency supplies in one location that is r tively safe, yet easily accessible if evacuatio required. Items may be stored in a 32-ga trash can, suitcase, duffel bag, footlocker or dividual pack.
72-Hour Emergency Kit Checklis EMERGENCY NEEDS
Sanitizing and disinfectant wipes
Battery powered radio Extra batteries OTHER EMERGENCY NEEDS First aid kit and manual Pen and paper Sleeping bags and blankets (wool or Extra set of car and house keys, thermal), as well as towels to keep dry A stash of cash in small bills Manual can opener Address and phone numbers Waterproof/windproof matches Work gloves and basic tools: a wrench Water storage (1 gallon/person/day) hammer, nails, screwdrivers, screws, Water purification tablets duct tape, zip ties, etc. Utility knife and/or heavy-duty scissors Plastic sheeting, tarp and duct tape Extra eyeglasses, contact lenses, solution Whistle to signal for help Essential medications Copies of important documents – such Flashlights/battery powered lanterns. as insurance, deeds, passports, birth
Variety of bandages, pressure dressin Cotton balls, scissors, needles, tweeze
popsicle sticks, splints, heavy string Thermometer Syrup of Ipecac
CAR SURVIVAL KIT
Always have at least a half tank of ga First aid kit Class ABC fire extinguisher Radio and fresh batteries Nonperishable food in coffee can Bottled water Tool kit Avoid candles due to of fire hazard certificates and vehicle titles – scanned Blankets or sleeping bags Supplies for children, the elderly, those to flash drive and stored safely Short rubber hose for siphoning with special needs and pets Small photo album with current photos Jumper cables of family members and pets Waterproof matches and candles Extra clothing, socks, underwear and out- Reflectors and flares SANITATION KIT erwear + sturdy, comfortable footwear Flashlight with fresh batteries Plastic bucket with tightly fitting lid Camera for documenting damage Paper and pencil, maps Heavy-duty trash bags and ties Towel, plastic bags, medications Disinfectant, soap Improvised toilet seat (5-gallon bucket STANDARD FIRST AID KIT or a coffee can) First aid manual REMEMBER, SURVIVAL IS NO Disposable cups, plates and utensils Aspirin or pain relievers A KIT. SURVIVAL IS A PLAN Personal toiletries & hygienic needs Laxatives, diarrhea medicine AND THE KIT SHOULD BE JUS Toilet paper + paper towels Rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly ONE PART OF YOUR PLAN. Aluminum foil Soap, salt, baking soda
Prepare your pet for emergencies
W
hen preparing for a disaster, most folks have figured out plans for themselves, their children and some even prepare for their neighbors. What some fail to consider is man’s best friend. An unspoken rule is that if we take on the responsibility of a pet, then they are just that: a responsibility. We are charged with feeding, sheltering and providing medical care, in sickness and and in health. In good times and bad. Sounds like marriage vows. The reality is some folks have the attitude that if everything melts down, they can simply abandon their pets, grab the kids and run for the hills. Here are some suggestions offered by www. petmd.com, www.redcross.org and www. co.lincoln.or.us/emergencymanagement to prepare your pet for a disaster. • Get your dog or cat “chipped” with current contact information and make sure ID tags are
on collars. • Be sure to have extra pet food on hand, along with enough drinking water for the whole household. • Keep an extra supply of medications or other special requirements. • Learn where your pet likes to hide when frightened.
• Make sure you have a pet carrier for transportation, as well as a leash and extra collar. • Carry a picture of your pet in the event you are separated. • Consider storing your pet’s favorite toy or activity with your emergency kit. When circumstances change and upheaval is the order of the day, having a familiar item nearby is one way to relieve your pet’s stress. • Keep your pets’ vaccinations and ID tags up to date. • Don’t leave pets in vehicles, tethered or crated without you. • Take animals with you if you need to evacuate. Only as a last resort should animals be left behind. If you have to leave your animals at home, keep them inside a secure area with at least a 10-day supply of dry food and water. Put signs on windows and doors indicating the number and type of animals inside and your contact information.
How some people ‘prep’ for large-scale emergencies Survivalism is a movement of individuals or groups who are actively readying themselves for self-reliance in the event of an emergency that may stifle social or political order. Members of this movement have been called “preppers.” The American Preppers Network defines a prepper as a person who takes personal responsibility for an impending disaster or emergency, typically by stockpiling food, water and other supplies. Although the extent to which preppers prepare for the possibilities of survival during difficult times varies from mild to the extreme, for many it has become a part of their daily lives. There are countless reasons why people prep. These may in-
clude having resources should a grocery store or another retailer run out of supplies if a disaster occurs. Individuals need only take a look at the recent hurricanes that took place, in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico to see how quickly food, water and other resources can be diminished. Prepping enables individuals to ride out such storms in the event that disaster aid or other assistance does not arrive fast enough. Preppers practice certain strategies for dealing with pandemic illnesses, weather emergencies such as earthquakes or hurricanes, or nefarious undertakings, such as attacks by hackers on power grids or communications networks.
The following are guidelines culled from The Prepper Journal, Happy Preppers and The Survivalist Blog on their top picks for supplies to stockpileL • Water filtration devices, including portable filters, bleach or purification tabs, keep water safe to drink. Be sure to have 5-gallon water jugs to store the water and transport it. • Rice, beans, honey, canned vegetables, canned fruits and canned meats have long shelf lives. Retailers offer prepared, freeze-dried foods that can be a good form of sustenance. • Lighters and fire starters are handy. Should a power outage occur, an old-fashioned fire may be the best way to stay warm. Keeping seasoned wood and tin-
der also is helpful. • Medications, such as fever reducers, antihistamines and more, can be lifesavers. A fully stocked first-aid kit also is essential. • Flashlights and extra batteries provide illumination in the event of a long-term power outage. These are just a few of the many items people can keep on hand to be prepared for any number of emergency situations.
8 | DISASTER PREPARATION | MARCH 2019
SCHEDULE AND SPEAKERS 10:10 to 10:40 a.m. Althea Rizzo, Oregon Office of Emergency Management Preparing for Cascadia may seem impossible, but there is much you can do. You are probably more prepared than you think. 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Thomas Zahara, American Red Cross Volunteer opportunities and disaster response 11:20 to 11:50 a.m. Maj. Ray Henschel, Joint Domestic Operations Center, Air National Guard Two-Week Ready — Disaster Preparedness Noon to 1 p.m. — Keynote Speaker Dave Robinson, Disaster Preparedness Expert and author Be prepared for any scenario by planning ahead 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. Mark Curran, Oregon Coast Humane Society Be Ready With Your Pet 1:50 to 2:20 p.m. Avery Horton, Southwestern Oregon Preppers Disaster Preparedness Workshop 2:25 to 2:55 p.m. Bob Pine, West Lane ARES/RACES “When all else fails, amateur radio gets through!”
OREGON COAST
BE READY 2019
CLASSES AND DEMONSTRATIONS EMERGENCY SUTURING 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Learn real emergency suturing techniques in these classes taught by PeaceHealth Peace Harbor. Cost is $25. Sign up at 541-902-3524
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MARCH 2019 | DISASTER PREPARATION | 9
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Pet
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guisher on the premises, preferably one on each floor of a home or business. • Do not overload power strips with plugs, and have a licensed electrician inspect and suggest updates to antiquated wiring systems. • Teach children about the dangers of playing with fire. Keep matches and lighters away from children. • Pull together all members of an office or household to come up with an effective evacuation plan. Walk through the building and inspect all possible escape routes. Mark two ways out of each room. If a window exit is recommended, have a functioning ladder that can provide safe egress. • Choose an outside meeting place that is far away from the residence or building, but close enough that it can be easily reached by all. • Set up a buddy system so that certain members of the family or company will be responsible for helping elderly, young or disabled people exit the premises. • Practice identifying escape routes, and institute regular evacuation plans so that everyone can function quickly should a fire occur. Fires can spread quickly and easily claim lives. By addressing fire risks and implementing safety plans, people can save lives.
ire safety protocol gives people the ability to get out of a building promptly and safely in the event of a fire. Fires are unpredictable and can cause devastating loss of life and property. The U.S. Fire Administration states that, in 2017, there were 1,319,500 reported fires that resulted in 3,400 deaths and 14,670 injuries in the United States. Travelers Insurance company advises people to develop a comprehensive fire safety plan, which can help save lives when used in concert with functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. However, the National Fire Protection Association says only about one-quarter of households actually have developed and practiced a fire-escape plan or have taken measures to prevent fires around their homes. Here are some ways to stay safe. • Repair or replace malfunctioning kitchen appliances promptly. Keep them clean and always use them according to manufacturer’s instructions. • Do not leave a room while cooking. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that most kitchen fires, which can ignite in as little as one minute, start after someone left the room. • Keep a fully charged and functioning fire extin-
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10 | DISASTER PREPARATION | MARCH 2019
Make contact after an emergency
Disaster events have the potential to cripple communication systems quite easily, making it challenging to get news to others of current conditions and wellness status. Having a mobile phone is perhaps one of the best safety measures in the event of a diaster. While voice calls can tie up bandwidth and voice networks, data-based services like text messages and emails are less likely to experience network congestion and will go through more easily, advises the Federal Communications Commission. As soon as possible, reach out to someone to provide a status update. This person, in turn, can relay information to others.
Another idea is to use social media to post a status report. This will help get the word out to the greatest number of people in the least amount of time, provided a few minutes of network connectivity are available. A third resource is contacting loved ones through a local American Red Cross chapter. The agency can help family members reconnect whether separation was caused by an emergency at home or overseas. Individuals also can list themselves on the Red Cross’ “Safe and Well” website. Status can be updated at any time, and others can access the information to check in on loved ones who have been out of contact.
Safely handle a prolonged power outage Accidents and storms can disrupt the electricity that powers everything in homes and businesses. A shortterm loss of power can be a nuisance, but extended power outages can cause damage and may even be dangerous. Widespread power outages are often anticipated during or after severe storms, which can disable entire power grids. Because damaged power lines and infrastructure must be carefully assessed after severe storms, it may take anywhere from hours to several days before power is fully restored. The Food and Drug Administration says that food spoilage is one of the hazards of long-term power outages. If a storm is imminent, you can be proactive by freezing the contents of the refrigerator when possible so that items can stay at safe temperatures longer, advises the FDA. Food
can remain safe for up to two hours at refrigerator temperature before it starts to spoil. Grouping food together in the freezer also can help it stay colder longer. Having extra ice on hand or freezing containers of water also can provide a chilling effect, as well as serve as a water supply if faucet water is unavailable — which can be a concern for those with wellpumped water. Your barbecue can turn out to be your best friend during power outages. Many stoves, even gas ones, will not light because of electric ignitions. A gas camping stove or barbecue can serve as the primary place to cook food until power is restored. Always have a secondary propane tank on hand. Keep plenty of bottled water on hand, especially if your water supply is well-fed and requires an electric pump to activate flow.
Stock up on blankets and warm clothing. Power outages during the winter can be especially challenging because of the lack of heat in a home Family members can huddle together in small rooms to conserve heat People with wood-burning stoves can use them to keep warm. If you have a generator, run i safely. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says generators should be operated as far away from the house as possible to avoid deadly carbon monoxide fumes. Also, use appropriately-gauged, outdoor-rated extension cords to power up generators. It is also important to stay pu and avoid the road after a storm tha causes a power outage. Wires may be down, traffic lights may not work and dangerous debris may be littering the roads. Hunkering down is the bes approach until power is restored.
IDENTIFY • PREPARE • SURVIVE Neighbor Helping Neighbor Map Your Neighborhood Program Safe Water, Safe Sanitation Emergency Food Planning and Preparation Pet Care Planning for Disaster Are you Ready Senior Citizen Preparedness These and many more online classes are available online
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MARCH 2019 | DISASTER PREPARATION
Delicious STARTS HERE Mamma Mia!
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