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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (March 8, 2017)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MARCH 8, 2017 9A Are you ready? D ISASTER P REPAREDNESS Are SLSD schools ready for "The Big One?" An introduction into the examination of SLSD schools and their plans for the Cascadia Quake By Cassidy Haffner For the Pacifi c Northwest, talks have been circulating about “The Big One,” a massive earthquake from the Cascadia subduction zone that will impact most areas of Oregon and Washington near I-5. According to recent tectonic studies, the odds of an earthquake with a magnitude between 8.7-9.2 happening in the next 50 years is one in ten. The odds of an earthquake with a magnitude between 8.0-8.6 in the next 50 years is only one in three. The probability of “The Big One” occurring is enough to make Pacifi c Northwest areas cautious of preparing for it. For Cottage Grove, the city has been taking action. In 2016, the Cottage Grove Natural Hazards Mitigation Steering Committee developed action items in the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, and updated action items from 2005, 2010 and 2015. This plan helps the city prepare for natural disasters, including fl oods, landslides, wildfi res, winter storms, earth- quakes, droughts and volcanic eruptions. In regards to the Cascadia Subduction Zone, the plan highlights the areas of the city that are at larger risk. All of downtown is susceptible, as well as the west side of the city that could be cut off of emer- gency services if there were to be bridge failure. Although the entire city could potentially be at risk, no critical facilities are located in intermediate to high hazard areas. South Lane School District has also been preparing for an earthquake, routinely conducting drills to prepare its students and faculties for what might happen. Earthquake drills include familiarizing faculty and students with exit routes and the “duck, cover, For The Sentinel and hold” method. Cottage Grove High School, Lincoln Middle School Gyms, and the Transportation Department are registered shelters and services with Red Cross. Each school kitchen is also supplied with food and bottled water in case they will need to shelter students and staff. The city’s vulnerability assessment stated most buildings in the city are at specifi c risk due to the type of construction. To prepare for that risk, the schools are looking for building reinforcement to provide safe shelters. “We have applied for Seismic Rehabilitation Grants for fi ve buildings at the Lincoln Middle School site,” SLSD Project Manager Matt Allen said. “If awarded, those buildings will receive reinforcement to greatly reduce collapse potential.” Cottage Grove’s biggest earthquake risks are loss of infrastructure and lack of basic services. Al- though it is unknown when “The Big One” will occur, the city and schools are taking initiative to prepare all its residents in case the worst is to come. Keep reading The Sentinel to fi nd out what happens if schools are cut off from SLSD facilities cur- rently storing supplies due to infrastructure failure and exactly what students are taught in the face of potential catastrophe. What to put in your modern emergency kit From CreativeConnections For The Sentinel Ah, nature. Besides the mosquitoes, nothing says summer like a getaway to the great outdoors. As you wind down from the stress of packing up and driving to the cottage or campsite, the CSA Group, a leader in testing and cer- tifi cation, wants to remind you to stay safe on land and water this summer with these tips. Boats and Cottages * Always wear a personal fl otation device and never consume alcohol while operating any vehicle. * Make sure that certifi ed carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms are properly installed outside all sleeping areas. * When opening your cottage for the season, carefully inspect all appliances and electrical cords for damage from rodents or insects. * Ensure boats and cottages are equipped with proper emergency safety equipment, including fi rst aid kits and fi re extinguishers. CO and Smoke Alarms * Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. To prevent CO poisoning, fuel-burning equipment should only be used in well-ventilated areas. * Test each unit at least once a month because the threat doesn't take a vacation. * Change the batteries at least twice a year. A good routine is to change them at the same time you reset your clocks for Daylight Saving Time. * Be sure to use the correct type of batteries. * Follow the manufacturer's detailed operating instructions. Camping stoves and lanterns * Fuel-burning equipment such as stoves, lanterns and cookers should only be lit outdoors and at least nine feet from tents, combustible materials and vehi- cles. * Before use, care- fully inspect parts for leaks, blockages or damage. * Keep fl ammable clothing (and eyebrows) away from open fl ames, and carefully monitor children and pets around fuel burning devices. * Before packing up equipment, make sure it is completely turned off and cool to the touch. Have a great and safe summer -- and don't forget the bug spray and sunscreen. For more information on CSA Group visit www.csagroup.org. TF146293 No leads in Riverview fi re Riverview Terrace has had its share of false alarms but on Feb. 22, residents were evacuat- cmay@cgsentinel.com ed from the building after a fi re started in the facility's laundry room. South Lane Fire and Rescue has completed its investigation, ac- cording to fi re chief John Wooten who noted the department has handed over its fi ndings to the Cottage Grove Police Department. While there had been several intentional alarms set off in the building in recent months, no fi res had been reported. However, both SLFR and the Cottage Grove Police Department investigated the fi re as arson. Despite earlier reports from news outlets that a suspect in the case had been identifi ed, Cottage Grove Detective Shawn Branstet- ter said no suspect has been identifi ed and there are no new leads in the case. "Hopefully somebody saw something," Branstetter said. Residents with information concerning the case can contact Branstetter at (541) 942-9145 ext. 134. By Caitlyn May An ongoing investigation is attempting to locate a suspect in a possible arson case after a fi re broke out at Riverview Terrace. Fatality on Hwy. 99 in Cottage Grove By Caitlyn May A pedestrian was struck and killed in the cmay@cgsentinel.com early morning hours of March 3. g & n i d l e W g n i t a c i r Fab E T I S - N O Family owned and operated for over 47 years. LANDSCAPE AND BUILDING MATERIALS Open 7 days a week! 79149 N. River Road 541-942-4664 Cottage Grove Police reported the incident just after 6 a.m. on Friday noting that the fatality occurred in a par- ticularly dark area of the roadway near Sweet Ln. on Hwy. 99. At the time, CGPD did not release the identify of the victim before notifying his next of kin. The victim has since been identifi ed as Dustin Cook, 24. The initial call for help came in and when offi cers arrived on scene, it was determined that the driver had struck the pedestrian but had remained on scene. Cook was pronounced dead on scene. "It was around 3 a.m. and it seems he was walking along a dark stretch of the road wearing a lot of dark clothing," CGPD said. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was described as cooperative by local law enforcement. "It's unlikely, with how dark that stretch of road is and the dark clothes he was wearing, that she even saw him before she hit him," said Cottage Grove Police Department Detective Shawn Branstet- ter. The driver, according to Branstetter showed no signs of impair- ment. No charges were fi led against the driver and her name is not being released at this time. 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