Published: October 30, 2009 11:46 am      

Citizens prepare for possible emergencies

What would happen if there was an emergency or disaster and you went to use your cell phone and it no longer worked because the system was out, overloaded, or whatever?

Would you even know a phone number “in you head” or “by heart” to call? Do you even have everyone’s phone number written down somewhere so you could contact family, friends and emergency numbers?

During an Emergency Preparedness Workshop held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Saturday morning, Stephanie Stewart asked attendees these questions and then asked them to turn off all their cell phones to participate in an exercise. The exercise was to write down as many phone numbers on the piece of paper provided that they could recall from memory.

Most people didn’t flourish in the exercise.

The point of course is to be prepared in case of such a situation. Have an alternative for the cell phone if possible and write down phone numbers someplace where they are easy to find and easy for everyone to read.

Stewart stressed the importance of having a radio to be able to hear what is going on during an emergency or disaster A radio that is battery operated, solar powered or can be hand-cranked is essential for when the power is out.

Stewart displayed a multi-use piece of equipment that could help with communication during a disaster, a solar and hand-crank powered emergency radio, flashlight and cell phone charger. These are available at stores or on-line.

Of course, a ham radio is always a good way to have two-way communication during an emergency situation.

During the workshop Lisa Oakley addressed safe-keeping of documents so they remain safe and dry in case of a disaster.

“My topic today is not how to survive, rather, how to make survival easier,” Oakley said.

“Here in Gainesville, we mostly have floods, tornadoes or fires,” Oakley said. “You need to consider each of these disasters when considering how to store these items.”

Documents can be protected from flooding by using Ziploc baggies. Oakley recommends the press kind and not the zipper kind.

“This is the least expensive and very adequate,” Oakley said. “Also, the camping departments at stores carry water proof containers for boaters and hikers. The clamping Sterilite Boxes can be found at Walmart or the Dollar Store. They come in different sizes and are convenient to use as an evacuation box as it holds its form and can protect from bending. Make sure the label mentions water proof.”

“You should also keep copies of everything on a flash drive or a CD,” Oakley added.

Oakley said some basic documents that everyone should disaster-proof are birth certificates, social security cards, adoption papers, death certificates, marriage certificates, passports, drivers licenses, insurance policies and proof of citizenship.

A Homeland Security brochure titled Emergency Supply List was available at the workshop. Recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit include:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.

Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.

Flashlight and extra batteries.

First aid kit.

Whistle to signal for help.

Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.

Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).

Local maps.

Basic first aid was also covered at the workshop.

“If you just know a little you can save someone’s life,” said Edna Shauff, who taught the first aid section.

She encouraged attendees to brush up on their first aid skills such as treating wounds, cardiopulmonary recesitation (CPR) and the heimlich maneuver.

Other topics included storing drinkable water, collecting water for storage and knowing how to use the 9-1-1 system.

Attendees received a notebook full of emergency information, an emergency blanket and a list for a first aid kit for their automobile and for the workplace.

Sharon Carlisle, who coordinated the Emergency Preparedness Workshop, said they addressed preparedness, “so that we can be prepared to meet any emergency that faces us.”

Kids also participated in emergency preparedness activities such as making puppets for a safety puppet show for the adults following the workshop and coloring banners. Younger kids made graham cracker fire trucks with marshmallows.

For more information about emergency and disaster preparedness go to www.ready.gov.