Disaster Preparedness

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Author Message John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 588 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - 04:07 pm:    With the immediate awareness of the effects of a disaster, I think it would be beneficial to discuss making preparation for disasters ... hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods, etc. I'm thinking about what it takes to survive the three days authorities advise it may take before power is restored, food & water are available and shelter is available. My simple answer is to have camping gear and emergency rations ready to go. Practically-speaking, what does that mean? And what else should be ready? The camping gear, with tent, propane lighting and stove, sleeping bags, etc. can be stored in the garage ... if it hasn't collapsed or burned down. Water should be on hand ... how much? jugs? bottles? how to keep fresh? Quantity per person per day for drinking? water for washing and for toilet flushing. Emergency rations and first aid supplies ... how to store? 5 gal paint pails from friendly paint mfrs (very durable)? A bag packed with prepackaged food ("just add water"), paper bowls/plates/cups, plastic forks/knives/spoons); works for car travel as well as disasters. Toilet paper and paper towels. Garbage bags: For garbage and for weather protection. Plastic tarps too. Medicines? Keep minimum 2 week supply on hand? Store in nylon lunch bag that is grab-and-go? (works for travel too) Gasoline? Keep minimum 1/3-1/2 full tank? (it helps keep fuel pumps cool and avoids sucking up crud at bottom of tank in everday use). An inverter that plugs into "powerport" can provide light load of AC power. Car radio can be source of news and information ("Whose fault was that earthquake?") Battery-powered or handcranked weather/emergency radio. Cash? ATMs won't work right away. Personal records? What? How to have ready to grab-and-go? Don't forget medical identification (insurance and lists of medications and medical conditions). Pets? Pet carrier at hand, again ready to grab-and-go or to keep pet from getting lost. Include pet food in emergency rations. Spare eyeglasses? Telephone/internet connections: Cellphones with internet or text connections (smart phones)? Cordless phones require power at base station. Have on old-fashioned plug-in phone. Have distant family member or friend to call, who would call others. Minimize telephone use to prevent overloading local system which may be impaired. Have means to recharge cellphone. Lighting? Flashlights/lanterns with batteries. Yankee candles are very effective (make sure there are no gas leaks). Firewood? Means for heating the shelter may be needed. Don't use charcoal indoors! Don't use propane heaters indoors! Generators? Costly but worth it? "Stabilize" fuel for long term storage? Siphon hose to draw gasoline from automobiles. (lost power at my neighborhood for 5 days once because of underground tranformer failure; not just natural disasters to worry about) Back up content on PCs? To portable hard drive? To "cloud"? Have notebook PC to grab-and-go, with current work files and software (works for travel too). Etc., Etc. (in other words, what would a well-prepared Boy/Girl Scout do?) Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 933 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - 06:43 pm:    oh yeah, if you don't own a heavy duty gas chain saw before the storm, rent one before he storm hits, you will never find one to rent later and you will become the neighborhood hero after the storm or if you are a klux like me you won't have to worry about going back to work for a real long time. Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 175 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - 07:01 pm:    American Red Cross has put out several apps that I have downloaded and reviewed. Very educational about being ready for diasters. ARC says to have 3 day supply kit ready to go...they state to have 1 gallon water per day per person. I recommend downloading this hurricane app and reading it. Great info that will answer alot of your questions above. Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 934 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - 07:06 pm:    JOHN, GREAT LIST, HERE'S A FEW MORE ITEMS: FILL BATHTUB WITH WATER - USE TO FLUSH TOILETS. FREEZE WATER BOTTLES, KEEPS FREEZER COOL AND PROVIDES COLD WATER TO DRINK. HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON HAND IN CASE GENERATOR CATCHES ON FIRE, OR FIRE DEPT IS TOO BUSY FOR YOU. PEPPER SPRAY OR SOME OTHER DEFENCE MECHANISM - LOOTING IS VRUY COMMON WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT. OIL FOR GENERATORS. PURIFICATION TABS FOR NOT SO CLEAN WATER. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1462 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 11:04 am:    Of course, the list needs to be adjusted according to your living situation. Urban apartment dwellers are not likely to have a place to set up a tent. Knowing shelter locations, and how to get your community's emergency info is important. Another to consider as part of disaster preparedness is that of fire: escape routes, assembly points, emergency contacts, and fire extinguishers. Records management is a good one to consider for all sorts of situations. Maybe fire-proof safes, good backups of electronic data stored off-site, etc. John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 589 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 11:24 am:    John Bunzick: Good point. With families split up during daily activiities, it's good to have a pre-arranged location to meet. This is especially true when there's no warning to the disaster (i.e., earthquake). Neighborhood plans ... especially regarding elderly and immobile people ... can be critical. "Indoor camping" doesn't require a tent but can use "camping" food and water, and sleeping bags if there's no heat. Or, especially after an earthquake, buildings may be unsafe and living outdoors or in a shelter will be necessary. Richard L Matteo, AIA, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: rlmat Post Number: 551 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 11:26 am:    All good suggestions. As a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, I've been to Emergency Preparedness Expos twice within the past 3 months and am attending another this Saturday. The initiator for these was the Nuclear Power plant and earthquakes, but they've expanded considerably. Exhibitors include local Red Cross chapters, CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams), Police, Sheriff, and Fire Departments, local utility companies, and so on. You may want to check with your local community to see if they put one of these on. They are a great source of information and a lot of fun for kids as the various emergency responders ususally bring all their "toys". I'll provide additional info as I can. The Coast Guard motto is Semper Paratus - "Always Ready" J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 512 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 12:03 pm:    You should really consider filling your car's fuel tank one to two days before a hurricane strikes (only applicable to this type of disaster). Even if you think you can hunker down without power, when the caution goes on about water contamination, you may want to reconsider. Fuel may be unavailable either because the tanks at the gas stations are empty (and won't be refueled for several days) or because the power is off. Major roads may be congested and service statioins along those roads within a 50 mile radius are likely to be unable to meet demand. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1576 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 12:31 pm:    Even though we don't get hurricanes (or earthquakes - knock on wood) where I am, we do get some monumental snowstorms and tornadoes. This is making me think about our preparedness for each of those. And, more importantly, taking additional positive steps toward being ready. (Maybe even for the zombie apocalypse). So thanks! Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 176 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 12:42 pm:    Not to throw off topic, but since you have brought it up Lynn...LOL... Zombies...that is exactly how I feel right now...well and look as well...I am a zombie for my child's party today...hee hee Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 177 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 12:50 pm:    <----insert zombie pic here LOL Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1577 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 01:35 pm:    Excellent! I'm sure there's some sort of joke in here about zombies and brains, but I can't quite put it together. Justatim Senior Member Username: justatim Post Number: 44 Registered: 04-2010 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2012 - 07:33 am:    The unaddressed problem is all the preparation lists is how to cycle through the "emergency supplies" so they are fresh when needed. That can be quite a chore and requires more planning and discipline than most people have. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 360 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2012 - 09:14 am:    Matches. Having quite smoking some time ago (except for the occassional cigar with Paul), I realized last night when looking to light the tea candles in our pumpkin that I no longer have hundreds of books of matches. Even restaurants don't give out matches anymore, just toothpicks and mints. We are being separated from one of the basic 'elements'. Waterproof matches or a box of matches in a sealed plastic container so you can light those candles. Since showering might be out for awhile, consider getting some incense too. As to fresh supplies, I try to rotate my beer stock as much as possible. Perhaps I should switch to wine for long-term storage. That way refrigeration of beverages won't be such an issue. John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 590 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2012 - 11:36 am:    Forgot to list a wrench to turn off the gas service. The valve should be just upstream from the meter. Hang the wrench in a handy location and don't use it for other purposes. John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 592 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2012 - 03:27 pm:    Battery backup for cellphone. TV has images of people stringing together powerstrips and extension cords for plugging in cellphone chargers. I have an iGo charger, bought at Radio Shack, that includes a battery for an hour or two of power for the cellphone. Also, handcrank chargers that include connection for cellphone, as well as light and radio, are beneficial. I carry the cellphone charger/battery when traveling. I also have a fully-stocked toiletries bag ready-to-go (so I don't forget it when packing for travel). BTW, these have been accumulated over time to make financially viable ... although all this stuff may be needed ASAP in case of emergency. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 361 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2012 - 03:49 pm:    Maybe we should just make lots of friends and get them to invite us over in the event of emergencies so we can sponge off them. Hey, it works for my friends on game day! With my luck I'll have all my stuff in my storage unit when the power goes off and I won't be able to get past the door. Guess I should at least keep a crowbar handy. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 939 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2012 - 04:04 pm:    The only advantage to all the damage done by Sandy is maybe our government will finally realize that we can not survive on conventional power sources, I saw a photo today showing New Yorkers bicycling to work - wow, maybe we're save a few lives in the process...why shouldn't every building have a solar panel, or a wind mill, or some other alternative power source...if indeed Global Warming is the cause of all this wild weather, it ain't gonna get better any time soon, maybe next year, NYC won't be so lucky? After Hurricane Andrew I had no power for 8 days, in Miami in the hottest part of August, homeowners lost their roofs, and damage was like a real war zone, granted Sandy did a lot of damage, but most of those homes can be fixed, homes in Country Walk (South west Miami-Dade County) that looked like matchstick collections could not, 150 mph plus makes Sandy look like a strong rain storm....Flood Insurance is really not that expensive, everyone should have it and those that don't should pay my Homeowner's and Windstorm Insurance, they would stop griping real quick. Imagine what the damage would have been like if a hurricane like Andrew had hit! ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 363 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, November 02, 2012 - 08:58 am:    Gee, I thought we were the government, at least that's the way Lincoln talked; Government of, by, and for the people. As long as both sides of the aisle decide to polarize instead of compromise, we the people will continue to pay the price. Environmental issues are important, but we and our forebears have dug ourselves into a conundrum. We can't afford to fix the problems and we can't afford not to. If the indecision makers in DC had invested the stimulus money in creating a real natural gas conversion for our electrical power grid and for running vehicles, we could have seen benefit to our environmental, economic, and foreign policies. Instead our money disappeared into another black hole and our grandkids are stuck with the bill with NOTHING to show for it. I say we vote in Alfred E. Newman. At least we could then understand why everything is so messed up. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1464 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 05:19 pm:    Jerome: there is no doubt that Florida hurricanes are at least more frequent than the Northeast, and often do extensive damage as you mention. However, Sandy did wash away much of a number of communities along the New Jersey coast, Long Island, and even Staten Island (one of the five boroughs of New York City). Areas that were not washed away often flooded many feet deep, effectively destroying many homes. Across the Hudson River from NYC, Hoboken, New Jersey was flooded from the west side, which faces a huge salt marsh. In Queens on one of the barrier islands, about 100 homes burned completely to the ground because fire fighters could not reach the area effectively to put out the fire. This is not to try to "compete" with the awfulness of our respective storms! Just want to make sure that everyone knows that this was, in fact, tremendously damaging. On a much happier note, you would be amazed these days how many bicycles there are in New York City. The city has committed to building many miles of bicycle lanes. For example, running down most of the length of Broadway in Manhattan is a dedicated, two-lane bikeway, separated from traffic by the parked cars. Thus the bikes are near the curb, not the traffic. These are on numerous streets in NYC. They have also instituted a bike-share program like Velib in Paris. (Boston has one too now.) Times really are changing!