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.
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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