September is National Preparedness Month, making this a good time to launch this newsletter. The intent of this newsletter will be to better equip you in the event of a disaster, large or small. Each newsletter will contain information and resources that you can use personally as well as information that will assist in preparation for the residents of your county. Although we can never be 100 percent ready for every disaster, the more prepared we are, the easier it is to handle any situation.
Responses to Disaster Vary, But Readiness is Universal
To begin, in as much as Oklahoma is a very diverse state—from the heavily populated areas to very rural communities—there are aspects of readiness that cross all population densities. I would like to break down what I consider to be “first things first.” We can do a better job of helping others if we first have our homes and personal situation as prepared as possible.
Being able to say that your family has an understanding of preparedness and you have prepared them for potential disasters will allow you to be better equipped to handle, deal with, and assist with other situations as they arise in a disaster event. Knowing that your family has a plan, has a “go bag,” has discussed communication, knows where meeting places will be, etc., will be a huge relief in the event of a disaster. This, in turn, will allow you to focus on helping others.
What kind of disasters are we talking about? For the most part in our state: fire, flood, storms (both thunderstorms/tornadoes and ice/winter), and the occasional earthquake are more common. However, there are certain components of any disaster that remain the same. There are several resources that can be very beneficial in getting prepared. I encourage you to visit www.ready.gov if you are not already familiar with this website.
This newsletter will also provide information to allow you to assist others, but more importantly, be able to provide educational materials that can then be used for presentations to civic groups, producer meetings, 4-H Club meetings, and OHCE meetings. In addition, some of this information may be able to be used in future quarterly safety training, if approved by your director.
Take Inventory
I once watched an educational video on “what to do if you are lost in the woods.” In the video, a re-enactment, the victim fell into an ice-cold river. Cold, scared, and disoriented, he finally succumbed to hypothermia. When his body was found, the rescuers found a functioning cigarette lighter in his pocket with which a fire could have been started and possibly saved his life.
The important point here is that in many instances, our brain and the ability to stop and think are by far our greatest preparation tools. Often in times of disaster, we tend to forget or overlook items that could have been useful. This is why readiness is so crucial; we can plan for challenges that need to be addressed during a disaster. There is a long list of “inventory” items to consider, and everyone has somewhat of a different list, as well as challenges that should be prepared for. For example, pets and livestock, special needs of loved ones, children, or elderly persons.
Considering an office setting, remember to have records backed up on a regular and timely basis. Will your facility be used in the aftermath of the disaster? Are banking and other important documents locked away safely? We will address more on this subject in later issues.
It’s Fire Season
Wildfire season is upon us. Parts of the state that have seen ample rain this summer may have an above-average fuel load that will cause fire hazards when those grasses fade into dormancy. Wildfire preparedness can be accomplished by mowing, tilling, or controlled burning areas to stop or slow the advancement of the fire. This would then create a “safe zone” for equipment, etc. This would be especially helpful around the headquarters of the farm or ranch to protect the house or other outbuildings.
In addition, livestock may be able to be moved closer to the headquarters so that they can be quickly and easily moved into the “safe zone.” For more residential or urban areas, houses can be prepared by removing tree leaves, pine needles, and other flammable debris from the roof and gutters. If there are shrubs or other ornamental plantings against the house, consider keeping them watered along with the grass close to the dwelling. Also, check for “heat traps.” These are areas that may trap blowing embers from a fire and smolder for minutes, possibly hours, after the initial dangers of the fire have passed. This even includes vents in attics that may allow a spark to be blown into the attic of the house. The danger here is that the spark may cause the house to catch fire long after the apparent danger has passed. Again, a valuable resource to visit is: www.ready.gov/wildfire.
Start Today!
Disasters are often measured by the number of people affected or the total dollar amount of the devastation. In reality, the smallest disaster in scale is still devastating when it affects you. Disasters are not something that can be avoided; we typically cannot control them, however, we can prepare for them. Preparation can start today! As you prepare, I think you may find what is really important in your life. Don’t forget to visit www.ready.gov.
If I can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at marty.montague@okstate.edu or 580-317-3921.
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