Don’t panic, prepare
The time to think about emergency preparedness is not after the snow begins to fall or the sirens begin to sound — it’s long before.
“Emergency preparedness encompasses a lot of different situations,” Dan Moran, owner of Rocky Ridge Hardware, said.
From ice storms to tornadoes to widespread electricity failure, Moran and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hope residents will consider taking the time to plan for potential future disasters.
“Complacency is the worst thing,” Vestavia Hills CERT coordinator Nicole Zabriskie said.
An important first step toward preparedness, Moran said, is staying on top of potential dangerous weather. “We’ve got a good network here in Birmingham for getting information,” he said.
For smartphone users, there are several mobile applications that can provide weather information and alerts. For those who do not have a smart phone, or who prefer a method not reliant on an Internet connection, Moran suggested a weather radio as well as local news and radio stations. Local fire stations can also program residents’ weather radios, if needed.
In addition to being aware of dangers, Zabriskie and Moran said, it’s important to also take steps to prepare for them.
CERT provides free emergency response training to those who “live, work or worship” in Vestavia Hills, a program including training in fire safety, emergency medical services, disaster psychology, light search and rescue and how to react to terrorism situations. The nine-week session is available for anyone 18 years old and older, including seniors, and there is a version of the course for teenagers.
“There is something for everyone,” Zabriskie said.
Those who participate in CERT training receive a backpack with some essential equipment, such as a helmet, goggles, duct tape and a visibility vest. The pack also includes what Zabriskie and Moran said they think is the most important tool to have on hand during an emergency: a non-sparking “four-in-one” emergency tool.
The lightweight, heavy-duty tool is meant for shutting off gas and water valves, prying open doors and digging through debris. Zabriskie added it can also break vehicle windows if necessary.
In addition to taking the CERT program, both Zabriskie and Moran recommended other ways to prepare for a disaster.
“Knowing your neighbors is a huge key,” Zabriskie said. Whether it’s having a place for children to go if an emergency happens while parents are out, or just checking on elderly neighbors when a storm is on its way, Zabriskie said she recommends using neighbors as a safety net. Moran said it’s also important to exercise good judgment and recognize that others may not be as prepared for a situation, and inadvertently make conditions even more unsafe.
By preparing, Zabriskie said the community can avoid one of the most dangerous reactions to a dangerous situation: panic.
“Honestly, in the event of a disaster or emergency, panic is your worst enemy,” she said. “It doesn’t help anything. It just makes things worse.”
Ultimately, Moran said being prepared comes down to thinking ahead.
“Really, emergency preparedness boils down to an individual analyzing their own family’s needs, and their own needs, and planning for those,” he said.
Moran and Zabriskie recommend having the following items on hand in case of an emergency:
▶ Food and water for three days
▶ Any necessary medications
▶ Duct tape
▶ Flashlight
▶ Batteries
▶ Weather or traditional radio
▶ Pet needs for three days
▶ Any infant needs
▶ Kerosene heater and kerosene for winter storms
▶ Blankets
▶ Tarps
▶ Extra cellphone chargers
▶ Cash in small bills
▶ 4-in-1 tool or similar tools for turning of gas and water
▶ Safety gear such as helmets, goggles and masks
▶ First aid kit with necessary safety gear, such as non-latex gloves
▶ Whistle
▶ Marker and notepad