In last month’s letter on preparing to have a good ward, we covered some of the unique difficulties our ward faces due to the large physical boundaries and such a rapidly changing population. One of those difficulties is keeping the emergency plan updated, and we will explore that more now.
In the event of a large-scale disaster, the ward is responsible for checking on its members. This is really just a natural extension to our normal values. With the home and visiting teaching programs, everyone should be checked on monthly, and as needs are discovered they are addressed. When something happens where it is likely that several members have sudden needs, a rapid check is in order.
Because of communication disruptions, it will probably be necessary to do a physical check. To make this easier, most wards divide geographically into zones, and we are no exception (though our zones are bigger than the average family ward). Each zone has a zone leader who will check on the members in that zone in case of an emergency, and will report back to the emergency preparedness specialist working with the bishop, and so we can get that information back to the stake and to Salt Lake. This is one reason to promptly get address changes to the clerk—it helps us look in the right spot.
We also survey members about their resources and skills, so as we find out that one person had roof damage, we know who can fix that, or if trees are down and need clearing, we know who has the nearest chainsaw. If we need to convert church buildings into emergency shelters, we may call on the people who know how to prepare meals for large groups. Many of you have been surveyed already, and we are working on the rest.
While we will try to help with your needs, your advance preparation will be even more helpful. To help gain some perspective on this, let’s consider the large magnitude earthquake. This is a useful example because it has a wide impact and is likely to occur in our lifetime. I will include a link at the end for what to do in an earthquake, but here I want to focus more on the after-effects.
Many buildings will experience structural damage. This can include your home and your workplace There will probably also be damage to roads, water lines and sewage, gas lines, and electricity. What does that mean?
If you suspect a gas leak, you need to shut the gas off (you should know how to do that). Since it needs to be turned back on by someone from the gas company, you could be without heat for a while. You should have extra blankets or sleeping bags.
If water pipes or sewage lines are broken, you may still be able to get water into the house, but it could be tainted water. Having stored water or water purification tools will be a huge benefit. We will be trying to check on you, but in the time it takes us to find you, get water, and get back to you, you can get very thirsty. Have some stored water on hand.
If your electricity is out, you will be grateful to have other means of light and cooking available. You will not want to be opening the fridge or freezer, in hopes of maintaining the cold until the power comes back on—or you may give up and have a big barbecue and eat all the ice cream. At least think about what food is in your house. If water and power are out, are you still able to eat?
There are other effects to lost power. Will you need information on the computer? Then I hope it is on a laptop, and the battery has enough power to get you through. Internet may still be down depending on how you connect. That is why I instruct all of my zone leaders to print their lists.
Now, think for a moment about everything else that uses electricity and computing. That includes automatic doors, gas pumps, ATMs, and cash registers. Even if transportation is not completely disrupted, getting to a store may not be helpful. The Church has encouraged members to store a year’s supply of food, or at least three months. Please, have at least two weeks on hand.
Remember, there are two big issues that will make recovery more difficult. One is that even if the bridges over the Willamette appear to be okay, they will need to be tested and verified before they can be used. That takes time. Also, soil liquefaction may completely tear up the runways at PDX, which would delay cargo planes with relief supplies. That gives you even more reason to have your own food, water, and warmth— just to be safe.
You will want to know what is going on with roads and relief. No power for PCs and TVs affects your ability to get news as well. It would be wise to have a battery-operated radio on hand,
That feeling of connection will be important. The other thing to know is that phones will be disrupted. It will probably be at least three days until you can get a cell phone signal. Landlines may recover faster, but often they will only be successful in calling out of area. Emergency communication plans are essential. You can use the out of area exception as a lifeline, establishing one common point of contact for everyone in the family to call. (In my family, it is our sister-in-law’s brother in Texas.) This contact can keep track of everyone’s whereabouts as they report in, and pass along messages. It gives great peace of mind to know that your loved ones are safe, even if you can’t talk to them directly.
Don’t limit the plan to family. You should have a plan for keeping track of roommates too, and if you will not be happy without knowing how your fiancé is doing, work that out. (And this can be very helpful for the zone leader if other people are not there yet, but you can report on their whereabouts and welfare.) We get used to being able to talk and message instantly, but it can be lost at the same time that a lot of new stress is introduced. Have a back-up plan. (If you want that backup plan to be HAM radio, which is reasonable, we will be putting a class together.)
Ultimately, it is the way that we connect with each other that can improve the recovery. We saw horrible things happen in Haiti after their earthquake, with looting and theft, and if fear and desperation don’t overcome you they can also harden your heart. If you know that you have some supplies, maybe even enough to share, and that there are people looking out for you, you can have peace and spread that peace to others.
Even better, you can spread that peace further by doing it beforehand. Get to know your neighbors, and talk about emergency plans. You can arrange to check on each other’s gas lines, or pets, or to see if anyone is injured for each other. And then if they follow your example and have food and water storage too, that’s a neighborhood that is going to come out of this okay, regardless of the damage. Many CERT programs are introducing a Map Your Neighborhood program that can prove helpful.
Do think about taking the CERT training. Knowledge is power, and in hard times it is good to feel powerful.
http://www.hillsborocert.org/
http://www.beavertonoregon.gov/departments/emergency/cert/
(This is for earthquakes, but OCEM has many other helpful documents besides this one.)
http://www.ocem.org/pdf_resources/12-Drop_Cover_Hold_On.pdf
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