Cell Phones During an Emergency

Cell phones are becoming more and more valuable to our lives – providing internet access, the latest weather forecast, and access to our favorite social networking sites. While cell phones can be a great convenience, they can also be a lifeline after an emergency.

As Administrator Fugate often says, a cell phone is a data center, with the ability to store and access a large amount of information quickly. So why not tap into the power of your cell phone, whether it's the latest-and-greatest model, or a phone that’s been around a while, and be ready to use it in case a disaster strikes?

In recent disasters, like the aftermath of the devastating Haiti earthquake in 2010, cell phones have been an invaluable resource for disaster survivors. I sincerely hope no one finds themselves in the dire situation that many Haitians did following the earthquake, but we can all take steps to make our cell phones a handy resource before, during, and after an emergency.

Here are some tips to making your cell phone an emergency resource:

Store useful phone numbers – Check the numbers for your emergency contacts to make sure they’re up to date. Be sure to save the contact information for your local police and fire departments, as well as your utility companies. That way, you’ll be able to quickly report any service or power outages following an emergency.
Create a group for your emergency contacts – Some cell phones allow you to create contact groups or lists, making it easy to send a single text message to a group to let them know your status after an emergency. Many social networking sites allow you to create a list or group of contacts as well, making it easy to share your status with your emergency contacts following a disaster.
Stay up to date via Twitter without an account – Twitter is becoming an important vehicle for information before, during and after a disaster. One of the common misconceptions is that people need a Twitter account to receive updates. In fact, you can receive updates from Twitter simply by utilizing your phone's text messaging capability (normal text message rates apply). For example, if you wanted to follow Administrator Fugate, text follow craigatfema to 40404 (Twitter’s text message number).

I encourage you to receive updates from the local/state emergency management agencies in your area, along with any other accounts that could provide you with meaningful information before, during, and after a disaster.
Bookmark useful mobile sites – If your cell phone has internet access, take advantage of mobile websites that are formatted to display information within a mobile browser. The National Weather Service (http://mobile.weather.gov), Center for Disease Control (http://m.cdc.gov), and FEMA (http://m.fema.gov) are mobile sites you can bookmark today.
Backup your battery – This may not be a tip for using your cell phone, but having an extra battery for your phone (or a solar charger) in your emergency kit will ensure you can use your device if the power stays out for an extended period of time.

Tips for Communicting in a Emergency

Tips for Communicating in an Emergency

To ensure that your telephone call gets through to family, friends and loved-ones during an emergency or disaster, here are things to consider:
It is important for consumers to keep in mind that during an emergency, many more people are trying to use their wireless and wireline telephones at the same time when compared to normal calling activity. When more people try to call at the same time, the increased calling volume may create network congestion.

Recommended Practices for All Users

Limit non-emergency phone calls. This will minimize network congestion, free up "space" on the network for emergency communications and conserve battery power if you are using a wireless phone;
Keep all phone calls brief. If you need to use a phone, try to use it only to convey vital information to emergency personnel and/or family;
For non-emergency calls, try text messaging, also known as short messaging service (SMS) when using your wireless phone. In many cases text messages will go through when your call may not. It will also help free up more "space" for emergency communications on the telephone network;
If possible try a variety of communications services if you are unsuccessful in getting through with one. For example, if you are unsuccessful in getting through on your wireless phone, try a messaging capability like text messaging or email. Alternatively, try a landline phone if one is available. This will help spread the communications demand over multiple networks and should reduce overall congestion;
Wait 10 seconds before redialing a call. On many wireless handsets, to re-dial a number, you simply push "send" after you've ended a call to redial the previous number. If you do this too quickly, the data from the handset to the cell sites do not have enough time to clear before you've resent the same data. This contributes to a clogged network;
Have charged batteries and car-charger adapters available for backup power for your wireless phone;
Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers in your phone;
If in your vehicle, try to place calls while your vehicle is stationary;
Have a family communications plan in place. Designate someone out of the area as a central contact, and make certain all family members know who to contact if they become separated;
If you have Call Forwarding on your home number, forward your home number to your wireless number in the event of an evacuation. That way you will get incoming calls from your landline phone;
After the storm has passed, if you lose power in your home, try using your car to charge cell phones or listen to news alerts on the car radio. But be careful – don’t try to reach your car if it is not safe to do so, and remain vigilant about carbon monoxide emissions from your car if it is a closed space, such as a garage.
Tune-in to broadcast and radio news for important news alerts.

Recommended Practices for People with Disabilities

Register with your local Police Department. Remind them to keep a record of the help you may need during an evacuation, power outage or other emergency;
If you have a Personal Care Attendant, work with that person to decide how you will communicate with each other, such as by cell phone, if you are separated during an emergency;
Consider getting a medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized in an emergency. Most alert systems require a working phone line, so have a back up such as a cell phone or pager if the landlines are disrupted; and
Learn about devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), text radio, pagers, etc. that can help you receive emergency instructions and warnings from local officials. Tip: Learn about NOAA Weather Radio for the hearing impaired.

Visit Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website at: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/specialplans.shtm for more information.

72 Hour Kits

Orchard Seventh Ward 72 Hour Kit Training

Purpose: To help your families understand the importance of a 72 hour emergency plan.

Why do we need a family 72 hour kit?

There are many types of disasters and emergencies: floods, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. In many cases, a 72 hour kit could mean the difference between life and death. It is estimated that after a major disaster, it may take up to three days for relief workers to reach some areas. In such a case, if you live in a disaster prone area a 72-hour kit is the minimum you should have available. Plan your 72 hour kit according to your family’s size.

Family activity:

Provide each family member with a pencil and piece of paper and then ask each family member to write down what they need to have in their family 72 hour kit and then ask them what they would like to have in their family 72 hour kit. If there is a pet in the family ask what they need to have in their family 72 hour kit to make sure their pet is comfortable.

*** 72 Hour Kit Info You Need To Know ***1) Your 72 hour kit should be in a portable container located near an exit of your house or better, sheltered in your backyard. 2) Each family member should have their own 72 hour kit with food, clothing and water. Distribute heavy items between kits. 3) Enclose the extra clothing, matches, personal documents, and other items damageable by smoke or water in plastic to protect them. 4) Keep a light source in the top of your 72 hour kit, so you can find it quickly in the dark. 5) Personalize your 72 hour kit. Make sure you fill the needs of each family member. 6) Inspect your 72 hour kit at least twice a year. Rotate food and water every six months. Don’t forget to check your medications. Check children’s clothing for proper fit. Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs. Check expiration dates on batteries, light sticks, warm packs, food and water. 7) Consider the needs of elderly people as well as those with handicaps or other special needs when building your 72 hour kit. For example: for babies, store diapers, washcloth, ointment, bottles and pacifiers, and other special supplies. (Homeland Security News and Information) People with pets often prepare a 72 hour kit for their pets also.

There are numerous internet sites a family can go to that provide information on 72 hour kits and one of the best is www.bountifulutah.gov – you can also access the Orchard Seventh Ward Emergency Preparation Group on Facebook which details numerous helpful emergency preparation sites (contact Brother McQueen at davidmmcqueen@comcast .net).

Brother McQueen will also email 72 hour kit information to anyone who is interested or call him at 801-992-3201 and he will provide you with handouts outlining what you might need to make your own 72 hour kit or where to go to purchase a commercial 72 hour kit.

72 Hour Emergency Kit Information from Bountiful City Family Emergency Handbook

The following emergency preparedness kit should be kept cool, dry, and readily accessible for rapid exit. It could be stored in easy-to-carry backpacks, duffle bags, suitcases, or 5 gallon buckets. Include a master list in the top of each kit with date prepared.

Water

1 gallon per person per day

Water Purification Tablets or chlorine bleach

Equipment

Adjustable Wrench - Hammer – Pocketknife-Battery Powered Radio (extra batteries)-Fire Extinguisher (very small)-Flashlights (extra batteries) - Light Stick-Folding Shovel-Plastic,2 sheets 9'x12' (shelter, ground cloth, water collection)-Rope (1/4 x 26')-Duct Tape-Tent - Tarp (Shelter)-Whistle (1 per person)-Work Gloves-Sanitation-Plastic Bucket with Tight Fitting Lid-Plastic Trash Bags (large & small, also zip locks)-Disinfectant (bleach, Lysol, powdered chlorinated lime)-Toilet Paper-Soap, Towel-Cooking / Heating-Aluminum Foil-Backpack Stove-Candles (2 large)-Manuel Can Opener-Dish Soap, dish cloth, towel-Knife-Matches in Foil or Waterproof Container-Mess Kit (1 per 2 people)-Pan for cooking/Washing-Metal Cup - Pan, Can or Small Tin Pail-Paper Plates, Cups, Napkins, Plastic Utensils Spoon & Fork - Metal Utensils for Mixing

Stress / Morale Boosters

Scriptures-Ball, Small Games, Crossword Puzzles, Cards-Hard Candy, Chocolate Chips-Harmonica / Needlework / Pictures-Paper, Pencils, Crayons, Permanent Marker-Food for 3 days-Baby Food - Baby Cereal - Formula – Juice-Beef Jerky - Canned Meats/Tuna/Spam-Candy - Hard Candy, Lollipops, Gum-Canned Fruits / Vegetables / Juice-Canned Foods / Chili, Pork &Beans, Ravioli, Soup,Spaghetti, Stew-Cereals (Oatmeal, Cracked Wheat)-Crackers – Cookies-Dry Soup Mix - Ramen Noodles-Dried Fruits - Raisins, Trail Mix, Fruit Roll-Ups-Granola Bars - Peanuts, Trail Mix-MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)-Peanut Butter, Jelly, Honey-Powdered Milk / Cocoa Mix-Clothing / Bedding-1 Space Blanket Per Person-1 Wool/Fleece Blanket or 1 Sleeping Bag Per Person-1 Change of Clothes-Underwear-Shoes, 2 Pair Socks (at least 1 wool)-Sweatshirt, Gloves-Infant’s clothing, Pacifiers, Blankets-Disposable Diapers.

Hygiene

Comb & Brush-Deodorant-Lotion-Feminine Hygiene Needs-Lip Balm, Chap Stick, Blistex, Tube of Vaseline-Nail Clippers, Nail File-Shaving Supplies-Shampoo-Small Mirror-Soap (liquid preferred; a soap bar needs a container)-Toothbrush / Toothpaste-Washcloth / Towel

Other

First Aid Kit-Insect Repellant / Sun Screen-Money (Coins, small bills, credit card)-Safety Pins, Needle, Thread, Scissors, Buttons-Extra Glasses-Extra Set of Car Keys-Keep the family’s most valuable documents (or copies) in your emergency kit ready to pick up and take with you: deeds, mortgage, titles, insurance, wills, home contents & pictures, social security numbers, drivers license or ID-cards, birth certificates, account numbers, genealogy, current pictures of family members, name, address & telephone-number of out of state contact, etc. All this information could be put on one 3 ½" computer disk, CD or flash drive.

Infants / Toddlers / Senior Citizens / Pets

Infants and children have special needs in a 72 hour kit. Items should include:

Infants & Children-Their own bag & labeled with their name-Disposable Diapers (36-48 minimum)*Disposable Wet Wipes*-Plastic Garbage Bags*-Two Changes of Clothes*-Two Pair Pajamas-Two Blankets Hat, Gloves, Socks-Infant Formula (may be needed to supplement nursing babies)-Instant Baby Cereal Canned Food/Juices (must be consumed at one meal to prevent spoilage)-Teething Biscuits & Orajel Sterilized Water / Also Pedialyte-Plastic bottles (Label with Name)-Disposable Bottle Liners-Extra Nipples Bib-Plastic Spoon & Bowl-Pacifier (Label with name)-Safety Pins-Baby Powder-Baby Oil-Diaper Rash Medication-Children’s Tylenol-Assorted Toys (label with name)-remember that hygiene with infants is critical and plan accordingly.

Consider your pet’s needs in planning for an emergency.

• Have a current ID tag, license.• Keep their vaccinations current.• Keep pet carriers, extra collars, leashes on hand to contain and calm your pet.• Your pet needs a half gallon of drinking water per day.• Store at least 2 weeks supply of food.-In case of evacuation, be aware that pets are not allowed in Red Cross emergency shelters.

Seniors: Arrange for someone to check on you-have a plan to signal for help-extra batteries for all you medical needs-list of all medical devices and medications-teach people how to operate the medical devices you have before an emergency.

Other Emergency Kits: Basic First Aid Kit, Car Survival Kit, Office Emergency Kit.

Always maintain at least a half of tank of gas in your car

Orchard 7th Ward Emergency Preparation Blog

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Orchard 7th Ward Relief Society Chuck-Wagon supper 7 November 6:00 PM at the Ward

Wednesday, October 30, 2013