COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JUNE 13, 2018
9A
Are you ready?
D ISASTER P REPAREDNESS
F
or many years, we’ve been
talking about the impor-
tance of being prepared for
72 hours. This is a good start,
and helpful in the event of
short-term power outages or
temporary evacuation. But a
large earthquake and tsunami
will leave much of the area’s
transportation routes destroyed.
Oregonians will have to count
on each other in the commu-
nity, in the workplace and at
home in order to be safe until
responders can reach you.
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Management encourages peo-
ple to be prepared to be on their
own for a minimum of two
weeks. This lessens the strain
on emergency responders who
need to focus limited resources
on injured and other vulnera-
ble populations immediately
following a disaster.
What does two weeks look
like?
There is no one correct way to
put together two weeks’ worth
of supplies since everyone
has individual dietary and
medical needs. If your family
includes children, seniors or
pets, you will have additional
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different but for a basic starting
point, see the list of items on
page 7 of the American Red
Cross Cascade Region Prepare!
guide.
Our 2 Weeks Ready Face-
book page suggests activities
or items to include in your
preparedness kit. You probably
have many 2 Weeks Ready
items around the house.
You’re more prepared than
you think.
Being prepared to be self-suf-
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achievable goal. Many of the
standard preparedness kit items
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hand-crank radios, trash bags
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in your 72-hour kit. These
handy, colorful and easy-to-
read brochures will help you to
think about how to be 2 Weeks
Ready in a variety of ways.
Creating a Prepared Commu-
nity
Preparing for disasters can
be done over time. The usual
three-day supply is a good
start. It is helpful in the event
of short-term power outages or
temporary evacuation. But a
large earthquake and tsunami
will leave much of the area’s
transportation routes destroyed.
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impossible to deliver assistance
and supplies.. Oregonians will
have to count on each other in
the community, in the work-
place and at home in order to
be safe until responders can
Preparedness-Minded Youth
Sought for FEMA Youth Council
Are you a student in grades 8-11 who is inter-
ested in community service and looking to build a
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ing for a representative from Oregon.
reach them. It is recommended
that families, neighborhoods
and communities strive to be
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We all are responsible for at
least a small part. There is a lot
that individuals and neighbor-
hoods can do to get prepared.
Communities have a role in
supporting individual prepared-
ness and to provide support in
planning on a larger scale. First
responders, such as police and
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ters, but they can’t do it alone.
When you move to a new town
or community, engage with the
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management agencies. Both
will have opportunities for
eager volunteer to become
involved, whether it’s through
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Reserves, amateur radio cours-
es, and many others.
You can look to other types of
programs, such as community
gardens, food banks, or elder
care groups if that is more to
your liking. It all adds to a
community’s ability to recover
from disaster quickly. No mat-
ter your interests, you can be a
valuable asset to your commu-
nity’s preparedness efforts.
Start by contacting your city
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if you live in a rural area, to get
contact information. Then jump
in with both feet and make a
difference in your community.
It is through the efforts of the
people who live, work, and
play in the community that
is will become resilient. You
cannot rely just on others.
What are some of the ways
that an individual can a help a
community?
Volunteer
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• After school program/ work
with kids to teach safety/pre-
paredness
• First responder volunteer
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community issue
Retaining
Wall
Blocks in
Stock
• Food security/ neighborhood
gardens • Bicycle transport
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Take some time to reach out
to your community leaders
and volunteer to help. Most
likely, there are several ways
you could become a part of the
preparedness process in your
community.
Nearly all towns, cities or coun-
ties have councils, commis-
sions, and committees to help
plan the day to day operations
and plan for the future. These
are most often staffed by vol-
unteers who want to help their
community. Consider checking
out the websites of your town,
city, or county to see where you
can volunteer. Or consider run-
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how your community prepares
for disasters.
Credits
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Management Ashland Fire &
Rescue
Dept. of Geology & Mineral
Industries Hood River County
For more information:
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Ready.gov
2 minutes
Drop, Cover and Hold on
2 hours
Check your immediate
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necessary
Follow your plan
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contact
2 days
Use resources in prepared-
ness kit
Check with neighbors &
community
2 weeks
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bers
www.facebook.com/2Weeks-
Ready
On Twitter @2WeeksReady
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cant responsibility that requires dedication and
time-management skills so that members bal-
ance school, extracurricular activities and their
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7KH 5HJLRQ &RXQFLO EULQJV WRJHWKHU \RXWK members are expected to participate in bi-month-
leaders who are highly engaged in advocating ly Regional YPC conference calls and complete
preparedness and making a difference in their one team and one individual preparedness-related
communities. The Council members are selected SURMHFW DQQXDOO\ WKDW EHQHÀWV WKHLU FRPPXQLW\
based on their commitment to public service, their A Council Summit is scheduled for Aug 14-15,
efforts in making a difference in their communi- LQ/\QQZRRG:$DQGLVPDQGDWRU\PHHW
ties, and their potential to expand their impact as ing for council members.
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Applicants must submit a complete application
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including the application form, one letter of rec-
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ommendation, academic records and any optional
“This is a unique opportunity for youth leaders VXSSOHPHQWDOPDWHULDOVE\-XQHWRSXE
to serve on a regional council, to complete youth lic.info@state.or.us.
preparedness projects, to voice their opinions on
Application form and additional information on
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SDUWLFLSDWHLQWKH5HJLRQ<RXWK3UHSDUHGQHVV oregon.gov/oem.
Council Summit,” says Andrew Phelps, director
Is your home at
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More people are living in
what is known as the Wildland
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homes and other structures
are built in or near woodland
settings or forests. While
residents enjoy the beauty of
the environment, they also face
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They can be ignited by escaped
debris burning, the careless
tossing of a cigarette, an
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natural causes like lighting,
and they spread fast. Several
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are available to help prevent
casualties and property loss by
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Fire season requires residents
to be at a heightened awareness
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every precaution to help protect
you and your property from
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Successful preparation requires
you to take personal responsi-
bility for protecting yourself,
your family from the dangers of
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Ready- Be ready
Be Firewise. Take personal
responsibility and prepare long
before the threat of a wildland
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defensible space by clearing
brush away from your home.
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and protect your home with
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ble emergency supplies and
belongings in a safe place. Plan
escape routes and make sure all
those living in your home know
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Set- Be prepared
Put together a “go kit” and
pack your emergency items.
Stay aware of the latest news
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from local media, your local
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Go- Act early
Follow your personal wildland
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and your family to safety.
Doing so will not only support
your safety, but will allow
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Yard Debris Removal Safety
Tips
Recycle yard debris.
Chip, compost, or haul debris
to a recycling center.
Call before you burn yard
debris.
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agency or air protection au-
thority to learn if there are any
burning restrictions and if a
permit is required.
Open 7 days a week!
79149 N. River Road
noxious odors.
Keep your burn pile small or
use a burn barrel.
Clear at least a 15-foot radius
around a barrel and at least
a 25-foot radius around your
burn pile, and make sure there
are no tree branches or power
lines above. Wet down the
surrounding area before and
during the burn.
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tools on site.
Keep a water-charged hose, a
bucket of water, a shovel, and
dirt or sand nearby to extin-
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Oregon law requires that you
monitor a debris burn contin-
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completely out.
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Drown the burn pile with water,
stir the coals, and drown again.
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pletely out.
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Go back and recheck old burn
piles, as they can retain heat
for several weeks and rekindle
when the weather warms and
the wind begins to blow.
Know the weather forecast.
Never burn on dry or windy
days because it is easy for burn-
ing to spread out of control.
Burn only yard debris.
State regulations prohibit the
open burning of any material
that creates dense smoke or
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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
