Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 12, 2016)
8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL October 12, 2016 Are you ready? D ISASTER P REPAREDNESS Warning signs of disaster scams When natural disasters strike, many people immediately ask what they can do to help. Some may volunteer at disaster sites, while others may offer fi nancial donations from afar. While donors’ efforts are al- ways sincere, some of the peo- ple soliciting those donations may be anything but. The Inter- net and smartphones have made it easier for criminals to defraud well-intentioned men and wom- en who simply want to help at a time when that help is sorely needed. Fraudulent websites, bulk email solicitations and tex- ting scams that encourage dona- tions are each means by which criminals take advantage of conscientious donors. As eager as prospective do- nors may be to lend a fi nancial hand when disaster strikes, it’s important to take the time to confi rm that an organization is legitimate and not an operation organized by fraudsters looking to make a fast buck. The follow- ing are a handful of red fl ags that may indicate an organiza- tion seeking fi nancial donations in the wake of a disaster is not what it says it is. • Demands: Legitimate orga- nizations will never make de- mands of prospective donors, so men and women should be wary of organizations that solicit on- the-spot donations. Reputable organizations, such as the Red Cross, have enough resources to respond to natural disasters without demanding immediate action from donors. • Hesitancy to share informa- tion: Reputable organizations are transparent with regard to sharing information about their programs, relief efforts and allo- cation of donations. If solicited by an organization that seems hesitant to share information about itself, donors should po- litely hang up the phone or walk away. • Request for personal infor- mation: Some scammers will attempt to gather personal in- formation, including social se- curity numbers and credit card numbers, over the phone. Never share your social security num- ber with anyone, and keep in mind that the majority of chari- ties can now accept donations online, removing the need to share credit card information over the phone. Stop speaking with solicitors who continue to ask for personal information. • Checks: Some scammers will request that donors make donation checks out to fundrais- ers and not an actual organiza- tion. When making a donation to charity, make the check pay- able to an organization and not an event. Confi rm the organiza- tion is legitimate by visiting its website. • Name: Many fraudsters go to great lengths to defraud well- intentioned men and women. Natural disasters typically lead to a spike in charitable donations. But donors must be wary of scammers looking to take advan- tage of their generosity. Some even establish fake or- ganizations and websites with names that sound very similar to legitimate charities. Such websites may be linked through fraudulent email solicitations, and they are often designed to mimic the websites of legitimate organizations. Never donate via links in emails. Instead, type the name of a charity into a search engine, confi rming it’s the actu- al charity you wish to work with and not a fraudulent entity with a very similar name. Donating in the wake of a natural disaster is a thoughtful gesture. But donors must be on the lookout for scammers look- ing to take advantage of their generosity. Disaster relief: Guidelines for giving Disasters are defi ned as accidents or natural catastro- phes that cause widespread damage or great loss of life. Disasters are often unpredict- able and can occur anywhere around the world. When di- sasters happen, survivors are often in need of assistance. Disaster relief support is charitable giving at its fi nest. But helping after a disaster requires both forethought and strategy so donors can rest easy knowing their do- nations are going to the right place. Work with reputable orga- nizations If your fi rst inclination is to provide fi nancial support, do so by working with a repu- table charitable organization that has a proven track record with disaster relief. Charities like Oxfam, the Red Cross and Direct Relief Internation- al organize relief efforts and are fi rst on the scene when disaster strikes. These groups may be more trustworthy than groups without a track record of success regarding disaster relief. According to the Center for International Disaster Information, fi nan- cial contributions allow pro- fessional relief organizations to purchase what is most needed by disaster survivors, when it is needed. Also, cash donations allow relief sup- plies to be purchased near the disaster site, avoiding delays and steep transporta- tion and logistical costs that can quickly eat up relief fund budgets. Confi rm the need before sending materials Many people feel a desire to send material donations in addition to cash. Sometimes there are opportunities to do so, but do your homework before sending supplies, as some organizations ask that supplies not be sent. If there is no need, unso- licited materials can cause supply delays, take up stor- age space and/or require additional funds to remove unnecessary items. Further- more, the cost to ship mate- rial supplies (that may not be useful) can be expensive. Disaster relief organizations typically can secure the nec- essary supplies, which is why many organizations request only fi nancial donations. Get clearance before visit- ing disaster zones Images of disaster zones can incite strong feelings that compel people to trav- el and help out in person. While that’s a noble gesture, receive clearance before pur- chasing a plane ticket. The website HelpInDisaster.org can help people with special- ized skills learn if there is a need for skilled workers or experts in a particular disas- ter zone. This ensures efforts can be sustained for as long as is necessary, and there will be no duplication of ef- forts. Working individually also may not be cost-effec- tive, and you may compound the problem by causing more drain on an already jeopar- dized infrastructure. Wait until media coverage has subsided Many people rush to give in the fi rst days following a disaster, only to have efforts trickle away as time passes and the limelight has stopped. Instead, wait out volunteer- ing opportunities. You may fi nd you are more effective afterward as rebuilding ef- forts begin anew. Helping out after a disaster can be a fulfi lling venture if timed correctly and done in the correct manner. Emergency responders need support, too Emergency responders, which includes the police, fi refi ght- ers and paramedics who are the fi rst to arrive at the scene of an incident, are in the business of protecting others and helping to save lives. These workers are on call during natural disasters, technological failures, terrorist attacks, and many other poten- tially traumatic events. Emer- gency responders are the unsung heroes of many communities that they work hard to keep safe and secure. While emergency responders are heroes, it’s important that people know these brave men and women sometimes need as- sistance, too. The pressure and stress associated with being an emergency responder can some- times be overwhelming, and it’s times like that when emergency responders need help. Comprehensive statistics on stress-related medical condi- tions among fi rst responders are diffi cult to tabulate because many incidents go unreported or unshared. However, pressures of the job and post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can take its toll on paramedics and law of- fi cials. EMS World reports that, between January and Septem- ber of 2014, the United States had around 58 documented fi re/EMS suicides. In Canada, 25 fi rst responders were known to have committed suicide in a fi ve-month period in 2014. Addressing the stress of be- ing an emergency responder can help responders and their fami- lies better cope with the pressure and stress of the job. The Na- tional Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends that all workers involved in fi rst- responder activities should help themselves and others to reduce the risk of stress-related psy- chological and physical health effects from their jobs. Certain symptoms and be- haviors may present themselves when emergency responders are having diffi culty coping with the demands of the job. These symptoms may include: • Changes in sleeping pat- terns • Passive or fatalistic behav- ior • Frequent confl ict and argu- mentative behavior • Limiting social networks and general withdrawal • Poor problem-solving abili- ties • Poor concentration • Inability to rest • Self-medicating with alco- hol While there is no single meth- od to cope with the physical and psychological demands of a fi rst reponder’s job, a combination of therapies can help. The Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention advises that responders need to take care of their own health to maintain the constant vigilance they need for their own safety. These steps can put workers on the right track. • Form a support network in which each responder looks out for one another. Knowing sup- port is available can be a big help. • Take frequent breaks to clear the mind and rest the body. Try to take breaks away from a work area. • Accept what cannot be changed, such as chain of com- mand or long hours. • Take advantage of mental health support services when they are made available. Rec- ognize that it is not indicative of weakness to discuss diffi cult emotions. • Maintain a healthy eating pattern and try to get adequate sleep. • Exercise, which can re- duce feelings of stress and be a healthy way to clear the mind and strengthen the body. Recognizing that emergency responders are not invincible and may need some emotional support can be the fi rst step in getting these workers the help they need and deserve. WEATHERIZATION PRODUCTS AVAILABLE Family owned and operated for over 47 years. LANDSCAPE AND BUILDING MATERIALS Open 7 days a week! 79149 N. River Road 541-942-4664 Make sure all the pieces are in place to render you and your family prepared in the event of a natural disaster. • Listen to radio or television newscasts for the latest weather information, and follow all evacuation directions and suggestions. • Keep a stock of non-perishable food items as well as bottled water on hand inside your home. • Keep a 72 Hour Kit on hand inside your home that is easy to get to in the event of a disaster. For more information and tips on disaster response and preparedness, contact your local emergency services center. South Lane Fire & Rescue • 233 Harrison Ave, Cottage Grove 541-942-4493 • 55 South 1st Street, Creswell 541-895-2506 Twitter: @southlanefi re Facebook: southlanecountyfi reandrescue
