Now What?

So you want to be more prepared to help yourself and your family?  Yet are unsure where to start.

A couple of websites for getting supplies together for basics are:

www.redcross.org
https://www.ready.gov/

Both will help provide ideas and list! For some actual hand on practical training i suggest.

https://www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams

To located a local team for your area see the above link above if you have any questions what a CERT Team is please see the same link for definition of that.  I am a CERT instructor and happy to answer any questions you may have about the process or program. (I am a volunteer not a paid staff member.)

So now that you have done that. . . what do you do next. If this is for others see list two, if this is for you and family see list 1.

List 1

• Canning procedures
• Gardening
• First aid supplies
• Find and learn how to use FRS Radios possibly get a family member licenses with FCC as an amateur radio operator. 
• homeopathic remedies

List 2

• ICS training 
• Radio oprations ARES and Amature radio
• medcial supplies and gathering resources. 
• recruiting others. 

Why networking is good

How many times have you said "I wish i thought of that!" well someone else may have thought of that along time before you and by having friend and connections that understand what it is you do. Sharing ideas can pay off.

Utilzing Social Media for Networking

Utilizing Social Media For Networking

  

You never expect to have to rebuild or help someone rebuild. As a independent young person or older adult you know the chance of being hit by a hurricane tornado wild fire earthquake is probable and becoming more likely as we have seen in the last few years more natural disasters occur. 

Can social media help?  Yes it can. 

In Haiti we saw how a tweet was able to be seen by friends family and responders to help locate survivors when calls and text failed. 

If a group who trains and has a membership is looking to recruit social media is a blessing in disguise if you use it correctly. Always remember not to post personal information. In today age we know someone who saw something on social media. Now if you start to think about it why dont we as volunteer tap into this sort of thing? The best PR you can get is free PR. Social media is the only thing faster then word of mouth. Just remember once its out there someone somewhere can find it even if you take it down. Never post anything on social media youd not want your Grandmother or Boss to see.  

Here are a few places to consider using for preparedness or disaster reservist groups. 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Blogs - Blogger, Wordpress
• Pintrest 

Hazard diamond info / DOT placards

Courtesy team rubicon thanks so much this helps people understand the methodology behind it

Time to prepare for stomrs..

just a refresher of things you may want to consider picking up over next few months as hurricane season approaches and for the mid west and tornado alley,

• 1 gallon of water per person per day (and pets) to sustain and remain hydrated for at least 3 days.
• Extra water for cooking and cleaning (bathtub- sinks) 
• tarps (in case a window breaks or such)
• Foods high in protien
• Comfort foods (varies per person) (mine are peanut butter, gummy bears and thats only because chocolate melts)

If you had to evacuate have you considered using rolling suitcases they make transporting items easier.  Local maps, rechargerable batteries for phone and charging cables for phones.

You FIrst

As a person who could be helping others .. .the most important thing is your safety and well being.

So a few things to consider to keep on hand for your safety. . .

Always make sure you have water for yourself
If you burn easy... SUN Screen
Any medicine you use
aspirin or what ever you use for minor headaches and such
Ladies--- Personal Items
hat to protect from sun
Sun Burn gel is a big one for me just in case
Extra socks - if your feet are not happy you wont be.
 Protein - Energy and Snacks that help with it are key

Dont forget if you are gone more then one day maybe something you enjoy.. Music , a book. if religious an item like a bible, or rosary beads  that you use when in religious times.

15 days tax free

Speaking of Florida only.. In 2014 Gov. Scott stated theat in 2014-2015 there would be a 15 day period where items were tax free.

Some of the specific items were...  Keep your eyes open as it should be coming up again this year.

·         A portable self-powered light source selling for $20 or less

·         A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather band radio selling for $50 or less

·         A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less

·         A self-contained first-aid kit selling for $30 or less

·         A ground anchor system or tie-down kit selling for $50 or less

·         A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less

·         A package of AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less

·         A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $30 or less

·         A portable generator that is used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage selling for $750 or less

http://www.flgov.com/2014/01/27/gov-scott-announces-15-day-sales-tax-holiday-for-hurricane-preparedness-supplies/

Weather Issues

While this may not effect everyone its something that could effect a good portion of the United Sates this year. 

Hurricanes   -

Basic suggestions 
72 hrs of water per person or dog and cat. the basic rule of thumb is 1 gallon per day per person.  This water is set up for hydration cooking exc. Not cleaning or such.  Keeping thing on hand that can be cooked quickly and easily. Ramen Noodles.. are they the best gourmet food No. Will you survive on them. Yes. 

I try to keep at least 2 cases of water on hand. As well as the gallon per person. I keep basic medical supplies on hand. As well as a kennel for my pet. SIzed for her and leash and collar so that she will be able to be walked and travel quickly. I keep her medication as she does have some supplied just as i would family members. Because if like me.. My dog is family is yours? I also keep a USB thumb drive with photo copies of all pertinent information and photos of valuables that may be destroyed in the event of an emergency. 

2015 Hurricane Names

Hurricane Katrina, a retired hurricane name from 2005. NOAA.  Günay Mutlu/

Ana
Bill
Claudette
Danny
Erika
Fred
Grace
Henri
Ida
Joaquin
Kate
Larry
Mindy
Nicholas
Odette
Peter
Rose
Sam
Teresa
Victor
Wanda

Preaching Preparedness

I can never say enough about being prepared and observant. 

I will link the news article I am speaking of on the bottom of this page.

There are skills I have I hope and pray I never need to use. Yet know that one day it may come to the point I am the only one who can help and will need to. I am talking about CPR. While opinions have changed on CPR over the last few years. It said in some circles that Chest Compression Only CPR is just as beneficial if not more so then CPR with mouth to mouth. Chest Compression only is known as Bystander CPR.

As the years have passed we have noted that diseases are more abundant and strangers may not want to do Mouth to Mouth. I personally dont think I would if not someone I know or am related to. I cant not imagine having one of my younger relatives needing CPR and standing there not know how to help.

Imagine this: Your on the interstate in a traffic jam, when you look in your rear view mirror to check on the child in the back seat and notice they are not breathing and starting to turn blue. What are you going to do?  WIll anyone around you notice?  Thanks to quick actions of the driver of a vehicle and other motorist who left their vehicles and aided the driver and found first responders a young boy is alive. See story below:

http://www.lawofficer.com/article/news/motorists-come-rescue-baby-mia



Well i dont like to go into details. I will tell you knowing CPR has helped me help others in the past and save lives.

New Year- New Goals

I must say the end of they year got really busy for me. However the good news is that things are starting to level off and everything seems to be coming together.  Now back on topic. I have volunteered with different groups since i was in 4th grade. I graduated high school in 2001.  Since middle school I have volunteered with first responders in different roles. I currently would say my volunteer work is mostly done with a group of people who are all volunteers we come from different paths. We are all trained to respond during a disaster. We are what most would call disaster reservist. 

Basically if the disaster is large enough that those who are first line first responders are over whelmed we would handle the less effected areas. I live in a part of the country that is likely to be effected by flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, and more. Often these disasters are not just one incident a few will happen. We all have trained in a basic course that covers a bit of everything from fire suppression, to evidence recovery.  I have been doing this type of work for almost 10 years I have been certified to do such for 6.5 years. I am now one of the guiding voices over the county's team and I will be taking a course this month to help teach the course to beginners. I am super excited to be able to step up.