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Emergency Management, Emergency Services, & Disaster Spox

This emergency preparedness kit multipurpose item literally sticks to everything #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep #TBT

Posted on September 18, 2014 by rusnivek

It’s Thursday in the third week of 2014 National Preparedness Month

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

#TBT #TapeBackThursdays ? Or am I trying too hard to make fetch happen?

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Build an Emergency Kit

#18: This emergency preparedness kit multipurpose item literally sticks to everything #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep #TBT

Before a disaster, duct tape can be used to shore up many structural components as well as loose items around the house. This includes securing windows from cracking, enhancing doors, even sealing up the cracks in case you have to shelter-in-place duct tape does a lot!

Now duct tape has been used for a few redic things too.

Great practical joke, but c’mon.

And trust me when I say every emergency manager has duct tape in their go kit. Therefore, you should too.

To aid in your preparedness, I would suggest having two rolls of duct tape in different colors. This way, you can distinguish your tape from others (i.e. layers) and also be able to use your duct tape as identification markers. Here’s an example of just one way to use duct tape to easily identify your stuff – my flat head ax.

Um, I hear that the airline industry also uses duct tape for operations…I mean identification too.

However you use duct tape, keep at least two different color rolls in each emergency preparedness kit.

It would be worth noting that the Duck Tape Headquarters is located right here in NE Ohio and of course Avon Ohio is known as the Duck Tape Capital of the World.

During an emergency, stick together! (see what I did there?)

@rusnivek

A better whistle for your emergency preparedness kit #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 17, 2014 by rusnivek

Halfway in the third week of 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Can you sorta hear me now?

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Build an Emergency Kit

#17: A whistle, better yet, an air horn in your preparedness kit to call attention to your emergency #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep

Whistles will help call attention to your situation wherever you are. I have one attached to the vehicle preparedness kit.

I get that a whistle is small, lightweight…but is it enough?

In retrospect, I purchased a few of these. An air horn. Not only is it easier to use, but also easier to activate and WAY louder too.

Note the line reading “Meets the USCG requirement for boats…”

I guess what I’m saying is that you can never be too loud huh?

Expensive? Nope. I got my very own air horn from Wal-Mart for a whopping $5.

*Also a necessity in your practical joke kit too.

Ahem.

@rusnivek

One gallon of water per day per person – 48 bottles! #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 16, 2014 by rusnivek

Midstream in the third week of 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Are you drowning in these preparedness tips yet?

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Build an Emergency Kit

#16: One Gallon of water per day / per person. Calculated for you = 48 bottles of water per person in your #Prepared2014 kit! #NatlPrep

So let’s do some simple calculations now.

1 bottled water = 8 oz of water

16 ounces of water = 1 pint of water

8 pints of water = 1 gallon of water

The recommendation is that every person has a gallon of water per day per person.

*****That means you need at least 16 bottles of water per person per day.*****

If you just whispered ERMAHGERD….then you should buy some water today.

This one is not negotiable…get it now. A case of bottled water is relatively cheap…like $3 for a case. Cheap. Do it.

Few tips once you get your water

Store your cases of bottled water in a cool dark place that is low to the ground.
So to keep your items fresh, make sure you rotate your bottled water regularly.
Not only for yourself, make sure you have enough water for your family.
I am not brand specific. Trust me, during an emergency, you will not be brand specific either.
Try to keep them in the shrink-wrapped. It’ll make it easier to move when needed.
Try to purchase clear bottles. It will help you see what’s inside.
Clear water bottles also can be used to amplify/diffuse a flashlight.

Keep in mind, during an emergency, this is a very common sight.

So don’t let this happen to you.

Get your preparedness kit with water together today!

@rusnivek

Important parts of my emergency preparedness kit #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 15, 2014 by rusnivek

Starting out the third week in the 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Monday morning with the most important stuff!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Build an Emergency Kit

#15: Your essential emergency preparedness kit should include flashlights & a cell phone charger #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Today’s tip is an easy one – flashlights and phone charger. It takes 10 seconds to include them in your emergency preparedness kit. Do it now.

Also-it seems like we lose power so frequently…so don’t be left in the dark (see what I did there?).

Candles are dumb because you stand the possibility of burning your house down and killing your family. During an emergency, gas leaks are common. Obviously. Candles and a gas leak is a recipe for explosion. #Kaboom Soooooooooo DO NOT USE CANDLES.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs have grown and now the base layer includes WiFi and phone power. Consider having a charging cable that has the ability to plug into a wall receptacle/plug or a USB charging point.

@rusnivek

3 days of food per person for your emergency preparedness kit #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 14, 2014 by rusnivek

The start of the third week in 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Starting this week out with the good stuff!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Build an Emergency Kit

#14: Shelf stable foods (like MREs) for 3 days/person MUST be in your preparedness kit #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

MREs or Meals Ready to Eat are really the “gold standard” in preparedness efforts. Now, I know what you’re thinking….gold standard = delicious. However, that is furthest from the truth. They are not as delicious as you think.

It would be worth noting that each of these MREs pack a whopping 2,200 calories. The idea behind the high calorie count is that a person who is working at maximum capacity (at war) does not have time to casually sit and enjoy three different meals a day. In just one meal, the MRE has relatively enough calories to push you through the day with only one “sitting”.

My “favorites” include

Chicken and rice
Pork with rice in BBQ sauce
Spaghetti with Meat & sauce

My MRE I really try to avoid?

Chicken Ala King
Beef Stew
Tuna with noodles

If you have never opened or used an MRE before, it would behoove you to do so before a disaster. For starters, there is a heating pack to warm your main entrée up (aka Flameless ration heater). This does require water for the thermal reaction to take place.

Also seasonings like tabasco sauce, Xylitol chewing gum, and a moist towelette are considered to be the most sought after pieces of each MRE. Use/trade them sparingly.

If you decide to go an alternate route and purchase a heater meal type or a bunch of Vienna sausage, make sure you try these products out before you have to use them during an emergency. Know your emergency supplies and rotate them out regularly.

Gaaahhhhh! So many things to remember, but if you start out simple and check your food for three days per person…you’ll have your kit ready and be better prepared for an emergency.

@rusnivek

A list of religious agencies involved in post disaster support #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 13, 2014 by rusnivek

Ahhh, the smell of Saturday…in the last day of the second week in 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Finishing strong in week-2!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#13: Plan with religious agencies to support recovery efforts after a disaster. Keep an updated list at the ready. #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Now, I’m not much of a church guy…however you don’t need to be religious to realize these services exist. It would be well worth your time to learn what groups are active and which ones could support your recovery efforts after a big disaster.

So keep a current list with names and phone numbers of groups who are active in disaster recovery. As an example:

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart who respond to the needs of those who are poor, isolated, marginalized or without hope.
The Southern Baptist group does a great meal service for those affected by disasters.
The Lutheran Church provides great immigration and refugee services.
The Mennonite Disaster Service does some solid work in cleanup, repair, and rebuilding homes.

And if you don’t use them, maybe your neighbors could utilize their services.

All planning should force you to think outside-the-box when addressing unmet needs. All of these groups are a vital part of our All-Hazards response in rebuilding every community post-disaster.

@rusnivek

Finding alternative solutions to charge your stuff…w/ a 9-volt battery #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 12, 2014 by rusnivek

TGI-Friday in this second week in 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

What a week!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#12: Finding alternative solutions to charge your cell phone…like charging it with a simple 9-volt battery (video) #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

All you need is your phone, cig plug cable, 9-volt battery, and a simple key.

MacGyver your stuff up!

By learning alternate ways to deal with power problems, you can easily have uninterrupted cell phone service and power while staying in close communications with your family.

So be creative peeps…and go and find a few 9-volt batteries and test this out.

@rusnivek

Support your local emergency services who are the backbone of every community in America #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 11, 2014 by rusnivek

Solemn day in this second week in 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#11: Support your local emergency services who are the backbone of every community in America #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Do it….Get to know your local emergency services.

For those of you who have written plans, please share them with your local emergency services. Take your kids to the Fire Stations, Police Stations, and EMS Stations…teach them the importance of these essential services who will be first on the scene during an emergency.

Teach your kids how to call 9-1-1. Teach them that help will always be there.

And yes, it is your steadfast preparedness efforts that greatly contribute to the readiness of the US.

So take a moment today to reflect on one of the worst terrorist attacks in the history of the US. As a country, we will never stray from the freedoms that allow us to be the home of the brave.

I have sad, but great memories of my time at Ground Zero.

I’m honored to have been a part of this effort at the WTC.

I witnessed the resolve and resilience of everyone in New York City and across this great nation. This fierce American spirit should remind each of us of the importance of our disaster work we do every day.

I believe everyone in the world can remember what they were doing when they heard the news of the attacks in 2001. And now more than ever, we must take the steps to ensure our freedoms continue to ring for every single American.

Please honor those Firefighters and countless other heroes who have given their lives for our great nation.

Never give up. Never forget.

@rusnivek

Planning alternate travel routes to avoid adverse weather #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 9, 2014 by rusnivek

Mowing this week down as we are almost to the middle of the second week in 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Terriffic Tuesdays are here!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#9: When planning alternate routes for work or evacuation, factor in adverse weather conditions #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

By carefully planning your routes, you can prepare you and your family for adverse weather before it rolls in. Additionally, the use of your NOAA NWS Weather Radio to avoid bad weather will help you safely navigate to your destination in a timely fashion. Consider printing out maps w/ clearly defined routes for everyone in your family.

You do NOT want to mess with Mother Nature – so plan your routes accordingly and drive them often so you aren’t surprised by major/minor construction. Make sure you and your family are safe!

“Planning is everything.” – US President Dwight D Eisenhower.

@rusnivek

Various free classes on disaster preparedness #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Posted on September 8, 2014 by rusnivek

Solid Monday here as we lead into the second week of 2014 National Preparedness Month!

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

No Mundays here!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Know How To plan for specific needs before a Disaster.

#8: Do not be afraid to attend ongoing free training classes on preparedness
#NatlPrep #Prepared2014

Your local, state, and Federal Emergency Managers are always providing free classes on preparedness and what to do during/after a disaster.

In a few of these courses, your local emergency officials help review your plans for specific items needed after a disaster. As an example, if you live in Ohio, you’d want to have warm blankets, mittens, etc….for your vehicle preparedness kit – esp during the cold winter right? Plan for your specific needs!

So taking classes…totally important right?!?

In fact, I’m sitting in a class today in FEMA Region-III (Maryland).

(Shhhhh! I’m trying to pay attention)

Life long learning peeps!

@rusnivek