BEACON Hosts Disaster Preparedness Workshop Given by Voluntary Action Center

 

 

Deborah Wood, Director of BEACON, http://www.beaconliteracy.org/about-us, a literacy program for adults in Prince William County, introduced Bonnie who is the Disaster Services Coordinator for the Voluntary Action Center, http://www.volunteerprincewilliam.org/introduction.html.  Deborah organized the free Disaster Preparedness Workshop on July 16^th, especially for adults learning English, so they could be prepared in the event of natural and manmade disasters.  Bonnie created a “Jeopardy” style game board where participants answered questions about disaster preparedness.  Adrienne, a volunteer translator for BEACON was on hand to translate what Bonnie said for those adults not yet fluent in English.

 

Bonnie began by listing the potential types of disasters people may encounter such as fires, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes, which are examples of natural disasters, versus overturned tanker trucks, train derailments and the 9/11 tragedy which are manmade disasters.   She emphasized knowing about the kinds of emergencies that can happen where we live, so that you can be better prepared and be safer as a result.  Bonnie gave an example of when there are snow storms in our area, everybody rushes out to buy milk and supplies, but having things on hand makes us less likely to panic and she gave participants lists in English and Spanish on basic supplies to have on hand.  The “Disaster Supply Kit” listed the following items:

Water:  1 gallon per person/per day, for 3 to 5 days (½ for drinking, ½ for sanitation/cooking).  Rotate food and water every six months.

Food:  3 to 5 day supply of food – requiring minimal water, no refrigeration, preparation or cooking.  Keep in home and car.

First Aid Kits:  Prescription and non-prescription medications; extra eyeglasses and contact lenses; and pre-packaged first aid kit.

Records & Financial Documents:  Cash (small bills) or traveler’s checks, and a credit card.  Extra set of car keys in a waterproof container.  Originals of important documents – in a safe place.  Emergency phone numbers.

Sanitation Supplies:  Toilet paper, soap, garbage bags, plastic bags with seals, 5 gallon bucket with lid, disinfectant, pre-moistened towelettes, feminine hygiene products and diapers.

Clothing and Bedding:  One complete change of clothing, sturdy footwear and one sleeping bag (or two blankets) per person.

Survival Tools and Equipment:  Battery powered radio, flashlight, extra bulbs and batteries.  Call letters and dial settings of your local Emergency Alert System stations taped on your radio and TV.  Wrenches, duck tape, a whistle, utility knife, road map and cell phone.

Other items:  Games, toys and books.  Pet supplies such as food, water, and carriers. Comfort care items unique to infant, elderly and disabled family members.  Extra set of keys.[1]

 

Although Bonnie cautioned against speaking in a gloom and doom like manner she said that people need to be aware of potential disaster situation within their community or places they might visit.  A disaster can be anything from a large tree falling on their house; to chemical disasters due to industry in the area; or something such as a water main break; and we need to be prepared and know what to do should something happen.  Every family needs to make a plan of what they are to do if something happens when they are a work and school.  Families should think about alternative places they can go if the road is closed to get home.  In cases such as hurricanes where families need to evacuate, they should carry essential things such as on the “Disaster Supply Kit” in order to be comfortable in a shelter situation.  In this type of scenario, cell phones may not work and it would also be wise to have a contact person outside of the immediate area that family members can call to give and receive specific information, such as that everyone in the family is okay.  Bonnie specifically mentioned in the 9/11 tragedy that she couldn’t make calls to across the street but she could reach outside of the immediate area.

Families need to both come up with plans, have kits at home, in the car and at work, so that if a situation arises where you cannot leave, you can be prepared with your supplies in the “shelter in place” scenario.  Bonnie again referred to the above list, since it will take emergency response teams a while to get to people.  The three main things that people should do are:

1.      Be informed about the potential for disasters as well as the resources of information in your particular area.

2.      Make a plan with your family so that everyone can be calm.

3.      Have a “Disaster Supply Kit” for your home, car and office.

Local resources for information about disaster preparedness are:

Prince William County – www.pwcgov.org

Virginia Department of Emergency management – www.vaemergency.com

The Virginia Department of Health – www.vdh.state.va.us

Federal Emergency Management Agency – www.fema.gov

Department of Homeland Security – www.ready.gov

Red Cross – www.redcross.org and www.prepare.org

National Organization on Disability – www.nod.org/emergency

The National Center on Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities – www.disabilitypreparedness.org

 

Date Published: 2008-07-23 01:00:00

Section: Local News,