Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed

The American Red Cross is a great resource for preparing each of us for all types of disasters and emergencies. The following link will direct you to the Be Red Cross Ready Checklist:

Preparedness Checklist

Water Storage

Water is difficult to store in large quantities and yet it is necessary to have access to a lot of it in a true emergency situation. Typically disaster aid organizations are able to make it into affected areas within 3 days, that is why the 3 day minimum is recommended.

• Most sources recommend 1 gallon of water per person, PER day, for 3-14 days.
• Store water in “FOOD GRADE” plastic containers (stay away from milk jugs, but soda bottles are suitable).
• Store water away from too much light or heat.
• Clean, sanitize, and rinse all containers prior to use.
• Do not use containers previously used to store non-food products.
• Store water in multiple sizes of containers to suit different emergency needs
• Do not store water containers directly on concrete. Place on cardboard, wood pallets, or other materials.
• Boiling is the safest way to clean water, but you can also use liquid bleach to kill microorganisms.
• Rotate your water storage at least once every year
• Purchase some drink mixes to help improve the taste of stored water and add to 72-hr kits(Kool-Aid, fruit drink mixes, hot cocoa, tang, etc.)

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

CERT training is right around the corner!  Class begins on either the 11th and/or 12th of October.  I'm doing the Riverton class on Wednesdays because it works for my schedule, so anyone who wants to carpool with me.  I can fit 7 people in my car, just let me know if you want to join me.  Herriman's classes are on 3 Tuesdays.  The final class for both cities is the morning of Saturday, October 29th.  Rumor has it, January will have a class specific for parents who are home during the day with small children.  Stay tuned if that appeals to you.

New Herriman Fire Station classes:

• Tuesdays October 11, 18, 25 (6:30-9:30 p.m.) 
• Saturday Oct 29th 9-noon

Riverton City Hall classes:

• Wednesdays October 12, 19, 26 (6:30-9:30 p.m.)
• Saturday Oct 29th 9-noon

Cost: $30 upfront, reimbursed by city at completion
Perks: Free backpack, learn life-saving knowledge and skills, get to know neighbors!
 

Note: You can go to a combination of Herriman and Riverton classes if your schedule needs the flexibility.  You must finish the online training before the first class (link found in registration).

Remember to do the required online training modules before class #1.  CERT training will strengthen our understanding and response to the immediate needs of those injured or otherwise affected by a disaster.  It will make you invaluable to your community and loved ones if the time ever comes where your expertise is called for to save a life or relieve suffering.

My dream is that at least 2/3 of the residents in our area are CERT trained in the next two years, by December 2013.  Will you help that become a reality?  I bet we could get the firefighters to do the training at the local church house if we get enough committed attendees.  Leave a comment if you would be interested in something like that. Live fear-free by being prepared by CERT!        

What Is a Block Captain? Why Should I Care?

When a nasty earthquake rips you from your bed in the middle of the night, and all the land and cell phone lines are down, what do you do?  Of course, check on your family first.  But, then what?

The Tuscany neighborhood has been split into 19 sections.  Each section of homes is considered one block which consists of four to eight homes, generally in closest proximity and greatest visibility.  Timbergate apartments counts each building as a block. 

The block captain will make sure their own family is safe, and then quickly get a physical check on the needs/situation for those in their block, and then relay that to the team leader (Natalie Griffith/Tuscany or Andrea Burt/Timbergate).

Are you willing to be such a hero?  Each block also needs a block captain assistant in case the captain is not available or in dire straights themselves.  The north end of Tuscany will be holding block meetings to find such volunteers and to nominate them for this role through the next 8 weeks.

The Block Captain and Block Captain Assistant Commitment:

• Attend as many as possible of the ten Be Ready Herriman City meetings held each year.
• When: 7-8 pm, first Thursday each month
• Where: UFA Rosecrest Fire Station: 4850 West Mt. Ogden Peak (14620 South)
• No meeting December or July
• Take the CERT training within 6 months of accepting role (if you haven't already taken it)
• Learn the names of the residents in your block
• Participate in the semi-annual Herriman city Emergency Drill
• When: 3rd Saturday in March and September
• Prepare your family and personal residence as best you can for multiple types of disasters
• Willing to use texting, e-mail, twitter, phone calls, and face-to-face contact to reach block members.
• Be a team player

There are many leaders among us, we just need to find out who they are.  Remember, this is a city-wide set up, for ALL residents.  We would like full participation from each family regardless of religious convictions or other such differences of opinion.  Thank you for doing your part to unite and care for those around you!  

Herriman City Emergency Drill recap

Click here to see the details of the citywide drill held last Saturday.  It was a big eye opener for many of us as we realized that it's never convenient to have a disaster!  The more organized we are the easier and faster we can account for the residents in our area when it's the real thing.  Everyone was asked to evacuate to the stake house with their 72 hour kits after a mock shut off of gas and water because of damages from a 7+ magnitude earthquake.  Special thanks to those block captains who warned their neighbors.

Personally, I learned I have to delegate more, because the drill was over before I was even halfway through contacting each block.  It also brought to my attention the need to have a block captain and block captain assistant set up a.s.a.p.  So, I will be holding my first meeting this Tuesday (9/27) and Thursday (9/29) for the blocks on Sondrio St.  Times will be sent out soon via e-mail and flyer.

These drills are held semi-annually; the third Saturday in March and September every year.  If at all possible, block out that day so you can fully participate and see just how well you've prepared your family for disaster.

CERT training is available to us for only $30, which is reimbursed by our city, so it's actually free in the end.  Join now.

A Briefing on Burns

What's the difference between a minor and major burn?  How should I treat them differently?  Well, here is the breakdown:

Minor
1st degree- outer layer of skin is burned, skin is usually red with swelling,
sometimes painful
2nd degree- first & second layer of skin is burned through, blisters develop on
splotchy red skin, severe pain & swelling

For 1st & 2nd degree burns smaller than 3 inches in diameter treat as a minor burn

Do- Cool the burn for 10-15mins, with running water until pain is gone
Do-Cover loosely with gauze to keep air out
Do-Take a pain reliever

Don’t- Immerse in very cold water or ice
Don't- Use fluffy cotton that will get lint into wound
Don't- Apply butter or ointments -they can cause infection
Don't- Break blisters

Major
3rd Degree- all layers of skin, may be black or appear dry and white, could have
difficulty breathing

Do- Call 911 & until help arrives do the following:
Check for signs of breathing.
Perform CPR if necessary
Elevate burnt parts of body so that they are raised above heart level
Cover the area of the burn with a cool sterile cloth or bandage
Don’t- Remove burnt clothing
Don’t immerse large severe burns in cold water

If you have more applicable insight or a story in case-in-point, feel free to leave a comment!

info. taken from the www.mayoclinic.com  
contributed by Andrea Burt

The Day Be Ready Herriman 4th Was Born

What would be a more appropriate date to begin our blog than that of our state's birthday (okay, one hour early)?  July 24th, 2011 marks the beginning of our virtual approach to emergency preparedness, like the pioneers started a new adventure of settling untamed land.  We begin this adventure with high hopes that many will lend their abilities and services to the community members of our area so we can all achieve a more safe and sound experience in case of disaster. 

Jessica Tidwell is the Emergency Preparedness Specialist for the Fort Herriman Stake, with assistance from Andrea Burt in the Timbergate apartments, and I, Natalie Griffith, assist over the north Tuscany development.  We've been called, sustained, and set-apart to serve in these capacities and look forward to doing our part to magnify our duties. 

Please post your comments often so we can clarify and enhance this learning experience for all.    Our intention is to keep preparedness at the forefront of your mind so you will take the action necessary to become sufficiently ready for any type of emergency. 

The topics we will cover include (but are not limited to):

• Natural Disaster Do's and Don'ts
• First Aid for Pros
• Fun with Food Storage
• Insights from Area Experts (like Dr. Poor, and Professor Edwards)

You'll enjoy a new take on old news BE READY Herriman 4th (that means YOU)!