Contents of RauwLetter October 2010
- Go To Rauw Energy's Intelligence Letter
- Go To These Vendors For a Greener Planet
- Going to Save Tax Payer Money and Reduce Pollution in Public and Private Education
- Got to Go … Preparing for Emergencies
- Got to Prepare for the Higher Costs of Energy
- Go To NYSERDA’s Advanced Energy 2010 Conference
Got to Go … Preparing for Emergencies
I recently joined the local Community Emergency Response Team. CERT is a program of volunteers, under the authority of NYC’s Office of Emergency Management, who may be called to large-scale emergency events to provide services within the scope of CERT training. CERT is also an information dissemination entity responsible for maintaining contact with community groups and organizations and providing information regarding emergency response and readiness.
Emergencies can occur anywhere, anytime. Emergencies can include medical emergencies, fires, car accidents, building collapse, extreme weather and, unfortunately, human-induced emergencies such as terrorism. How we react in an emergency can mean the difference between a good and a not-so-good outcome. One of the most important things we can do is be prepared.
A significant way we can be prepared is in our homes. Having a ready stock of canned food (don’t forget to include a can opener) and water is extremely important. According to OEM, three days of “sheltering in place” is the suggested number of days to be prepared for. The amount of stocked, clean water is 1 gallon per person per day. Flashlights, extra batteries, and a listing of emergency numbers are also important. Additionally, “ A battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries (you can also buy wind-up radios that do not require batteries), a whistle, Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach (for disinfecting water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials) and eyedropper (for adding bleach to water), personal hygiene items: soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc., a phone that does not rely on electricity and child care and pet supplies or other special care items” are important additions to your at-home preparedness kit.
Many of us have come to rely on cell phones. They are wonderful but they have limitations as we found out on 9/11/2001 when it was virtually impossible to make a call within our area code. Calling to an outside area code had better results. Pick a “go to” person outside your area code to whom your family can report as to their whereabouts.
Speaking of “go to,” if you are required by law or necessity to evacuate your home, a “Go To” bag is essential. A “Go To” bag is a bag, a backpack, a bag on wheels (whatever is comfortable for you), permanently packed and ready to go near your front door. Each “Go To” bag is personal, containing personalized items such as medications (remember to periodically check expiration dates), prescriptions that include the name of the medication and dosage, photocopied identification in a waterproof container, and personal hygiene items. According to the OEM website, “Go To” bags should also contain,
• Extra set of car and house keys
• Credit and ATM cards and cash, especially in small denominations. We recommend you keep at least $50-$100 on hand.
• Bottled water and non-perishable food such as energy or granola bars
• Flashlight
Note: Traditional flashlight bulbs have limited lifespans. Light Emitting Diode (LED) flashlights, however, are more durable and last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs.
• Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map
• Child care and pet supplies or other special care items”
http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/household_guide.pdf
Being proactive by being prepared is a positive way to help you, your family and your community.
