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September is National Preparedness Month
https://tinyurl.com/disaster-prep-2021
> Resources are updated at the end of this blog.
Also checkout
Washington State Preparedness
ShakeOut Washington
#8 Rapid Exit Class (Wed, Nov 10) at 7pm https://signup.com/go/OVWopLb
- Disaster Preparedness classes repeat (Wed, Jan 12) at 7pm https://signup.com/go/GGaJVQV
Zoom Webinars: Disaster Preparedness classes - Six Wednesday evenings at 7pm starting Sep 8th and ending Oct 13th.
Upcoming Classes:
- Radio Class (Wed, Oct 27) at 7pm... https://signup.com/go/FDoBpzZ
- Rapid Exit Class (Wed, Nov 10) at 7pm... https://signup.com/go/OVWopLb
The Zoom link will be the same for all the classes.
Sep 8 - What To Do When the Earth Shakes & Mobile Apps to Download Now / See Resources below
Sep 15 - Water Essentials & Sanitation / See Resources below
Sep 22 - Managing Utilities After a Disaster & Power Outages / See Resources below (Presented by Carl Leon)
Sep 29 - Communicating After a Quake & the Early Earthquake Warning system / See Resources below
Oct 6 - How To Create Your Plan & Building your "Get Home" bag / See Resources below
Oct 13 - Preparing with Neighbors & Prepared Communities (Emergency Hubs)
Oct-27 - Communicating After a Disaster
Nov-21 - Rapid Exit
Mark your calendar for every Wednesday night for 7pm between Sep 8th and Oct 13th.
If you have to miss a session, no worries. Recordings will be sent out.
If you have trouble with the SignUp, or wish to join after the series has started, please contact Ann at SeattlePrepares@gmail.com.
Learn How the City of Seattle Plans to Respond After An Earthquake
The Office of Emergency Management, in coordination with representatives from multiple City departments, has organized a series of webinars focused on the City’s earthquake response plans. The first webinar was held on May 27th and will be a high-level overview of how the City prioritizes and coordinates during response to a major earthquake. The four subsequent webinars will occur during June through September and will dive deeper into individual areas of the response including firefighting, mass care, and utility and transportation restoration. Each webinar will also highlight how individual and neighborhood preparedness efforts tie into the overall response.
All webinars are open to the public and will include captioning in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. All sessions will include a Q&A session at the end, and will be recorded and posted to the Seattle OEM YouTube channel. Registration is not required, but participants can register to receive a confirmation email, calendar appointment, and event reminders. View the full schedule on OEM’s events calendar or see session information below.
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VIDEO: City of Seattle Earthquake Response:
Overview of Response Priorities and Coordination
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqX7hf6UqRU
May 27, 2021
Description: Seattle Office of Emergency Management staff will provide an overview of our region's earthquake risk, likely earthquake impacts, and describe what a local government response to a catastrophic earthquake looks like. This will include an overview of citywide response priorities and coordination, how the city communicates emergency information to the public, and key preparedness actions the public can take before an earthquake happens.
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VIDEO: City of Seattle Earthquake Response: Firefighting, Search and Rescue, and Hazardous Materials Response
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uiEKNM-KRU&t=17s
June 21, 2021
Description: Staff from the Seattle Fire Department will provide an overview of how the City directs life safety response operations after a major earthquake This will include information on how they prioritize their response efforts with limited resources, how they begin requesting outside assistance, and what the public can do to prepare.
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VIDEO: City of Seattle Earthquake Response:
Emergency Shelter and Feeding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBpbUMIZMRs
July 26, 2021
Description: Staff from the Seattle Human Services will provide an overview of how the City will coordinate with regional partners to stand up shelter and feeding operations after a major earthquake, and the implications for personal preparedness.
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VIDEO: City of Seattle Earthquake Response:
Utility Restoration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1f_IfP4Fs8
August 11, 2021
Description: Staff from Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities will provide an overview of plans for restoring utility service after a major earthquake. This will include information on how damage to utilities is assessed, how restoration is prioritized, where your personal preparedness fits with utility response, and how utility providers coordinate with other City departments and with regional partners.
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VIDEO: City of Seattle Earthquake Response:
Transportation Restoration
Sept 14, 2021
Youtube link is pending
Description: Staff from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will provide an overview of plans for restoring transportation after a major earthquake. This will include information on how the restoration of roadways and bridges is prioritized, and how SDOT coordinates with other City departments and with regional transportation agencies.
talked about the new Hub in South Park at the Duwamish River Days Festival
Earthquake Glossary | Earthquake Map
Youtube Videos for all Classes are posted HERE
Expand/collapse classes by clicking accordion +/- sign.
- What To Do When the Earth Shakes / Mobile Apps to Download
Handout sheet: Class #1.pdf > Smartphone Apps (Youtube)
Class Video: https://youtu.be/HY-X1uFLWfU (from a previous class)
Class PowerPoint Slides: Class #1.pptx (Used in class webinar)
Infographic: Immediate Earthquake Reaction PNG
Smartphone Apps (Youtube) explains how to install several apps on your smartphone with QR Codes or with text codes. The app list below has links to the video app times.
If you need help with using QR Codes go HERE. or App Video @ 3:30
You can also go to the Android & Apple app stores directly and search for the apps.
Look for the icons shown in the video. Group the apps on one screen or in one folder.
Here are some web links to help with choosing which apps to install or notifications to sign up for.
Watch the Smartphone Apps video for descriptions
Alert King County / Website based / App Video @ 9:46
Alert Seattle / Website based / App Video @ 9:08
Alert FEMA > Android / iPhone / App Video @ 4:55
Google Translate > Android / iPhone / App Video @ 8:05
Handling Hazardous Materials > Android / iPhone / App Video @ 7:46
Hazard Explorer / Hazard Ready / Website based
Knot Tying > Android / iPhone / App Video @ 8:30
Maps Offline / Nav Apps Video @ 10:40
Maps.me > Android / iPhone
Google Maps > Android / iPhone
How to use Google Maps and Maps.me Offline
PulsePoint Download / App Video @ 5:15
PulsePoint Respond > Android / iPhone
PulsePoint AED > Android / iPhone
Red Cross Apps / App Video @ 4:00 (Alert) / App Video @ 6:35 (First Aid)
Android: Emergency Alert / First Aid / Pet First Aid
iPhone: Emergency Alert / First Aid / Pet First Aid
Smart911 / Website based / App Video @ 10:03
Survival Guide > Android / iPhone / App Video @ 7:30
Survival Manual U.S. Army
WebMD > Android / iPhone / App Video @ 7:12
SAVE THE DATE! "Double Trouble" Exercise!
Watch an "Emergency Communication Hub" in Action!
Saturday, Sep 18
9am to 1pm
Maple Leaf Reservoir Park (NE 83rd St and Roosevelt Way NE)
Saturday, Sep 25
9am to 1pm
Behind the Jefferson Community Center (3801 Beacon Ave S.)
Double Trouble - flyer.pdf
Additional Resources
FEMA Poster: Protect Yourself During Earthquakes
Unreinforced Masonry Buildings
(June 2021) List of URMs - Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
Seattle Hazard Explorer
Could a Tsunami Hit Puget Sound?
Youtube: How to Secure Heavy Furniture for an Earthquake > Flash.org
Securing Bookcases
Youtube: How to Secure Hanging Artwork for an Earthquake
Securing TVs and Computer Screens
Securing Kitchen Cabinets
What To Do When the Earth Shakes Class #1
In bed: Face down - Pillow over your head - Protect your neck - Stay there until the shaking stops - Grab your
light - Put on your shoes
In school or an office: Move away from windows - Drop, Cover, and Hold On - Protect your neck
No table, no desk: Crawl to an interior wall or next to low-lying furniture (couch) - Stay there until shaking
stops
In a store: Next to a grocery cart – Beneath clothing racks - Lock your wheelchair wheels – Protect kids
In an elevator: Push all the buttons to get the elevator to stop and try to get out
In a theater: Get as low as you can – Protect your head and neck
Just left a building: Go back inside – Drop, Cover, and Hold On
Outside: Get as low as you can – Stay away from power lines, buildings, and vehicles
Driving: Pull over – Set the parking brake – Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, etc.
Near the shore or beneath a dam: Drop and protect head – As soon as you can, walk quickly to high ground or
inland. Signs that a tsunami is coming: The ground shakes or water recedes below low tide level.
Contact: Ann Forrest SeattlePrepares@gmail.com
Class #3 Overview HERE
Class #3 Video YouTube
- Tools for handling utilities - Emergency Tool
- Tools for turning off water - Water Meter Key
What Is a Circuit Breaker Panel?
Natural Gas - Turn off only if you smell gas or hear hissing sound.
Electricity – Shut it off at the electrical circuit panel if 1 or 2 happens.
1. You see sparks or broken or frayed wires
2. You smell burning insulation
When power is lost
3. If you don't use the Circuit breakers, you can unplug individual electronic devices to protect from surges.
4. If you do use the Circuit breaker panel, turn off individual circuits and leave one circuit on with a light to tell you when power is restored.
Water – Should be turned off after an earthquake until it is safe to use!
The risk is that building water pipes can become contaminated from outside water if they are not isolated.
We need to know if building water supplies will be isolated from the street water main after an earthquake.
This is up to AG Building Maintenance.
Communicating After a Quake & the Early Earthquake Warning system
Class #4 Video HERE
Class #4 Handout HERE
Class #4 Slides HERE
Class #4 Slides > PDF HERE
Webinar Class #4 (of 6) is Wednesday 9/29 at 7PM
Click the Zoom link 5 minutes before 7PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86453990261
"Communicating After a Quake & the Early Earthquake Warning system"
Handout for class #4 / PDF
Communicating After an Earthquake Class #4
After an earthquake...
1. Check on people/pets around you
2. Manage utilities (Class #3)
Natural Gas – Shut it off If you smell/hear a gas leak
Electricity – Shut it off if you see damaged wires or smell insulation burning
Water – Always turn it off after an earthquake until you know that it is safe to use!
3. Make contact with family/friends
4. Get more information
Do NOT call 9-1-1
Landlines are rare! Very few have copper wire all the way to the phone company...
TEXT is best: Include date/time in each text and give good information (condition, location, plan)
Out-of-town contact
Relay messages between people on the ground
Spokane or further east
Give them a to-do list
Write down important phone numbers!
3x5 card in a plastic bag – make several copies!
Printable Index Cards Avery 5388: Buy stock on Amazon / Download Avery Templates
Off-grid messaging
Texting apps – Bridgefy is one of several Offline messaging apps
Devices - goTenna or Beartooth devices
Satellite messengers (true off-grid communications)
Alert Seattle and Alert King County – sign up!
Local emergency radio stations
KIRO 710 AM and 97.3 FM KOMO 1000 AM and 97.7 FM
Early Earthquake Warning
P waves (fast but little shaking) and S waves (slower but more shaking)
Sensors detect P waves, analyze signal, and send out alert, if appropriate
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) – enable now!
Mobile apps – coming
You want both - WEA and mobile app...
Alert & Warning Notifications (Washington Emergency Management)
How To Create Your Plan & Building your "Get Home" bag
Class #5 Video HERE (also displayed below)
Class #5 Slides HERE > PDF HERE
Plan based on knowing your hazards?
Seattle’s Hazards (SHIVA) **Shelter-in-place
1. Earthquakes **
2. Snow and Ice ** 3. Windstorms ** 4. Power Outages ** 5. Cyber Attacks ** 6. Landslides 7. Disease Outbreaks ** 8. Flooding 9. Excessive Heat ** |
10. Tsunamis/Seiches
11. Infrastructure and Structural Failures 12. Fires 13. Transportation Incidents 14. Water Shortages 15. Social Unrest 16. Attacks 17. Hazmat Incidents 18. Volcanic Hazards |
Stay Box: Earthquakes, weather
Get Home Bag: Walking home
Your “Get Home” Bag
- Water, Food, and Medications - Sturdy shoes - Rain poncho / large plastic bag / space blanket - Whistle - Mask (m95) and first aid kit - Flashlight / Headlamp |
- Extra batteries
- Cash – small bills - Picture of family / pets - Map! - Emergency phone numbers! |
FEMA Assistance:
• Housing: Disaster housing ~18 months
• Grants: Capped at $32,000, Expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs
• Replacement of personal property, transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses
• Loans: Low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration
• Triggered by $40,000 personal property loss or $200,000 real estate loss
Walk away from your mortgage…
• Washington is a “Non-Recourse” state, sort of
• Bank can use a judge to put a lien on all real and personal property, garnish wages, etc. to recover the difference between your mortgage and what they could sell the foreclosed property for.
_Create your plan with household members!
_Build your “Get Home” bag and stash at work, in car, commuter bag, etc.
_Download appropriate maps so your navigation apps will work offline (see Class #1)
_Sign up for the Seattle Prepares newsletter to learn about future classes.
More Resources:
Seattle Hazard Explorer HERE & HERE (Around Arrowhead Gardens)
School Reunification Plan Youtube
- Infographic brochure: 1-page PDF HERE (added 10/11/2021)
Complete PDF brochures for 2 Weeks Ready: https://mil.wa.gov/preparedness > Publications - A Disaster Kit for Staying at Home
- Stay Box: Basics
- 15 items everyone should have in their at-home emergency kit
- Ready.gov Build a Kit
- Red Cross Survival Kit
- Worksheets for Emergency Supply Kits + more
Comments:
There are some items you would want in a Stay Box or a Go Bag.
Put those items in a Go Bag and store it with the Stay Box.
The Stay Box is for a few weeks and the Go Bag is for a few days.
Within the Go Bag, you could have a Hospital Bag.
Preparing with Neighbors & Prepared Communities
Class #6 Handout HERE (also copied below)
Class #6 Video (4/19/21) HERE
Class #6 Video (10/13/2021) HERE (also displayed below)
Class #6 Slides PPT > PDF
Seattle Emergency Hubs: HERE | MAP | RESOURCES |
West Seattle Be Prepared: HERE | MAP
SNAP: Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare:
Resources | Training request | SNAP Map Form
1. Gather and Share Information
2. Match Needs and Resources
3. Organize Volunteers
4. Educate
Engage with neighbors – they are your help until help arrives!
Neighbors can be very useful as motivational tools!
o Learn together – Prepare together
o Hold one another accountable!
In addition to supporting household preparedness, neighbors can also...
o Turn off gas to houses to prevent fires o Turn off water
o Gather together to help everyone remember what to do
o Check on those needing extra care (elderly, injured, children, etc.)
o Cook together!
Prepare with your Community -
Emergency Communication Hubs
- Neighbors will gather outside, in open spaces, and work to save lives and reduce suffering.
- Some communities are organized and have gear in place to help neighbors organize (Hubs).
- Hubs do NOT have food or water for the community.
- Everyone involved in the Hubs is a volunteer!
Handout Homework:
1. Gather with neighbors – prepare together!
o Contact Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management to request training for your neighbors
2. Find your Emergency Communication Hub HERE
o Reach out to the Hub Captain; ask to be included in upcoming events.
o Join the Hub network’s mailing list HERE
3. Sign up for the Seattle Prepares newsletter to be notified about the next round of classes!
2021 Upcoming Events!
• Oct 21st (Thursday) - See a Hub in action!
Madison Park (4201 E. Madison Park) from 4 to 6pm
• Oct 27th (Wednesday) – Radio / Communications Class from 7-8pm
https://signup.com/go/FDoBpzZ
• Oct 30th (Saturday) – Halloween-themed “Skills Fair” – University Heights Hub Grand Opening!
University Heights (5031 University Way NE, 98105)
More details coming in class follow-up...
• Nov 10th (Wednesday) – Rapid Exit Class from 7-8pm
What would you grab, if you safely could, as you leave for a medical/fire emergency?
https://signup.com/go/OVWopL
Crosscut:
Disaster preparedness takes center stage for Seattle volunteer group
‘When the earth shakes, your neighbor is going to be your first responder.’
by Hannah Weinberger / October 8, 2021
Webinar Class #7 (10-27-2021) Communicating After a Disaster
When a disaster strikes, contacting loved ones and getting reliable information can be challenging. Do what you can now to lessen the stress of that situation. Topics covered include: - truth about landlines - texting strategies - communicating via radio (FRS, GMRS, and Ham) - powering your devices (phone, radio) using your car battery Heavy on useful information - very light on technical jargon. This class is designed for beginners exploring the idea of radio communication.
Class #7 Handout HERE
Class #7 Video (10/27/2021) HERE (also displayed below)
Class #7 Slides PPT > PDF
Class #7 GMRS Cheat Sheet PDF HERE
Wikipedia: FRS / GMRS / Frequency Table
RETEVIS FRS Radios HERE / RT27
BTECH GMRS V-1 HERE
MyGMRS.com MAP / Repeater Directory
Getting FCC GMRS license
Overview: https://baofengtech.com/step-by-step-getting-a-gmrs-license/
Register for FCC FRN
Login with FRN and Password HERE
FCC > Wireless > Licensing > Online Systems > License Manager
Steps
1 Radio Service
2 Applicant Questions
3 Licensee Information
4 Basic Qualification
5 Summary
6 Certification
1 Click Apply for new license. (left panel)
Select Service: ZA - General Mobile Radio (GMRS)
Press Continue
2 Questions
3 Licensee Name and Address
etc etc etc
How to Obtain an Official FCC License Copy HERE
For assistance programming your GMRS radio to be used for Seattle Emergency Hubs, contact Ann Forrest at SeattlePrepares-at-gmail.com.
See GMRS Cheat Sheet PDF above for channel plan and Monday 8PM GMRS nets.
If you want to use your GMRS radio with other repeaters:
Free Chirp software can be used to program GMRS radios. If you want that ability, order the special cable to connect between the radio and your PC. There are several GMRS repeaters around Seattle and Washington that have open access.
A commercial alternative to Chirp software is RT Systems software.
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