NO I DIDN'T SAY NERD :-)
…Do you know what a NERT is? Well a NERT is a person who is many things. Organized, trained, civic-minded and prepared. Last Spring, I attended a class with about a hundred and twenty people, put on by the San Francisco Fire Department to be a certified Neighborhood Emergency Response Team member (NERT).
In this six week training that takes about three hours once a week, I learned many things about what to do in case of a city wide emergency like the Loma Prita Earthquake of 1989 or Hurricane Katrina. I learned that unfortunately we can expect to be self-reliant for at least 72 hours before the city or state would be able to help with such essentials as water, food, shelter. It made me look at the fact that I needed a plan and some pre-planning if I am to be able to wait the 72 hours. It also taught me that I had the power to instantly gain some power over an emergency just by planning ahead. Do you have a plan or an emergency bag in case something happens?
Over the next few months, I will give you suggestions to be more prepared and I will start off with six suggestions right now:
Do these 6 Steps now…..
1. Plan a safe place where you and your family and housemates should meet
2. Arrange with an out-of-town friend to be your 'family contact' by phone, since most local lines will be last to be repaired
3. Show everyone where and how to turn off the main gas, water, and electrical controls as necessary
4. Find the safest ways to exit your house/building in case of fire or earthquake
5. Teach children how to call 911 and post urgent numbers by the phone
6. Practice an emergency drill monthly
If you want more information to be prepared, then I suggest you check out the following websites:
Take care and plan ahead.
T.J. Lee, SOMA/SoBe Specialist
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