Tooele County Emergency Management

Remembering 9/11

2011-09-26T16:33:00.003-06:00

Most of us living now will remember September 11th, 2001 as our country’s most tragic day. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost on that day when terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. The tenth anniversary of those horrific events is almost upon us. Our country hasn’t seen a day like 9/11 since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, “a date that will live in infamy,” said President Franklin D. Roosevelt. We have never forgotten that day that triggered the United States’ entry into World War II. Some people of our older generation still remember where they were and what they were doing when they first heard of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I hope we will also never forget 9/11, which launched us into the continuing war on terror. I’m sure you remember where you were when you first heard of the attacks on the Twin Towers. The Tooele County Commissioners took a moment to share their thoughts about 9/11. Here is what Commissioner Colleen Johnson wrote. “I was at home listening to roofers banging on my roof. The phone rang and Bob told me to turn the TV on. Just as I did the second plane hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center. All I could do was stare at the TV in unbelief, things like this don’t happen in America! My thoughts immediately went to my family, and I said a silent prayer of thanks that they were safe, and then a prayer for all those being affected by this horrible event. Then came the reports of a plane hitting the Pentagon and a plane crashing in Pennsylvania. “As I was thinking about this I realized that there are children that will be learning this in their history classes as people of my generation learned of Pearl Harbor, and trying to imagine how such an event could happen. I don’t think there are words to describe the gamut of feelings and emotions that people went through that day and the days to follow. “Never, Never, Never forget or let your families forget what this great nation stands for. We were founded on freedom and today it is just as important as it was then. As horrible and terrifying as the 9-11 attacks were it brought our country and communities together as never before. I was so proud of the way our nation pulled together and stood up for what we believe in. We had a greater appreciation for just how blessed and lucky we are and how good we have it–something that we should never ever take for granted.” Commissioner Bruce Clegg said this about that fateful day, “We were helping a re-enactment of a wagon train of Mormon settlers traveling from Spanish Fork to San Bernardino, California. We were on the desert in Juab County and had just hooked up the teams to the wagons when we got the message about the World Trade Center. People were wondering, ‘is this the end of the world’ since America had never been attacked this way before. That’s what was going through people’s minds. No matter how you thought about it, it was a serious event, a disconcerting event. “The decision was made to stay on schedule with the wagon train until we got more information. The attacks never impeded our progress but we kept getting more details about the event as we rolled along. We finished our leg of the journey at the Nevada border. “I think it’s really important that we keep these events on our minds and express our feelings to people who might not remember it, the younger generations, and let them know what we went through at that time, what it was like. We want them to stay vigilant and reduce or eliminate the vulnerabilities that existed then so we don’t have to experience that again.” I also remember exactly what I was doing on 9/11 when I first heard of the attacks. It was the day before Tooele County’s annual Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program exercise. Other Public Affairs Officers and I were going to be meeting with members of the media to issue them credentials for observing the emergency drill the following day. I was home getting ready for work when I got a phone call from a photographer at Channel 4 News. He asked me if we were still going to be conducting our exercise. When I replied “yes” and asked him “why wouldn’t we?” he excitedly told me about the first plane crash into the World Trade Center. I told him I’d have to get back with him about the exercise. After turning on my TV I watched in utter disbelief as the second plane flew into one of the Twin Towers. I couldn’t believe it was really happening. In remembrance of the tragic events on 9/11, and especially all those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks, Tooele County Emergency Management will activate the sirens, part of our outdoor warning system, on Sunday morning, September 11th. We plan to activate the sirens at about 9:59 a.m., the time the first World Trade Center tower collapsed. Please don’t be alarmed when you hear the sirens’ “wail” tone, followed by the message “Join Tooele County in remembering the heroes and victims of the 9/11 tragedy.” Please take a moment on the upcoming September 10th to reflect on how 9/11 changed you, your family, and your country. Always remember that tragic day, and as a people remain vigilant against the evils of the world and anyone, foreign or domestic, that will attempt to take away the freedoms and prosperity that are only available in this great country, the United States of America.

Thank You DCD/TOCDF Team

2011-06-28T18:13:00.002-06:00

Dangerous chemical weapons have been stored at Deseret Chemical Depot (DCD) as early as the close of World War II. The Army has been storing the aging munitions in earth covered, concrete bunkers in Rush Valley for decades. Now, employees at DCD and the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (TOCDF) reached two major milestones last month.

DCD workers delivered the last On-site Container (ONC) transporting the final bulk storage container to the TOCDF on May 11, 2011. This final ONC delivery represented more than 24,000 total ONC deliveries from the storage area to the disposal facility, all of which were completed safely and without any harm to people or the environment.

Then on May 16, 2011 the last mustard agent-filled bulk storage container was punched, drained of its contents, and put through the metal parts furnace. That incinerator subjected the container to temperatures reaching 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, completely destroying any chemical agent still inside. The drained contents were also completely burned up in a liquid incinerator at 2700 degrees Fahrenheit.

The dedicated and courageous workers at DCD and TOCDF have been safely whittling away at what was originally 44 percent of the nation’s chemical weapons stockpile since August 1996. The Tooele County Commissioners are very proud of those workers’ historic achievement and express their gratitude and congratulations for a job well done.

Commissioner Colleen Johnson said, “I think it's a great accomplishment that all involved with DCD and TOCDF can be proud of. It has also provided Tooele County and the EOC with some valuable training that wouldn't have happened otherwise."

Commissioner Bruce Clegg added his thanks, “I appreciate the dedicated men and women who have worked so hard to safely rid our community of those dangerous weapons. I have commissioner oversight of emergency management and know what a good relationship we’ve had with the workforce at DCD. They’ve done an excellent job providing this service to our county and the nation.”

Commissioner Jerry Hurst explained why the workers deserve this recognition. “The people at DCD have been very efficient at disposing of those munitions with very few problems. They are a top notch crew. I appreciate how the management keeps us informed of what they’re doing and what their schedule is.”

At this major milestone, staff at Tooele County Emergency Management also expresses their thanks for the relationships established with the people at DCD. They have been honest, informative, and friendly throughout the two decades we’ve been working together.

Tooele County Emergency Management Director, Kari Sagers, voiced her gratitude for all the work over the years that preceded this event. She said, “I knew that something was out there at DCD all my life growing up in Tooele, but wasn’t familiar with the enormity of it until becoming involved with CSEPP in 1989. Originally, the amounts of agent were classified until the early 90’s. When I heard how much it was, I remember thinking we’ll never ever be able to get that processed. I kept thinking there would be hiccups all along the way, delaying the work. Now here we are with the last bulk container having been destroyed at the TOCDF. I’m just amazed at the huge feat that’s been accomplished.”

Although the last major campaign is completed and there are no more planned agent operations scheduled at TOCDF, there is still more work to do. DCD and TOCDF employees are preparing to destroy a few hundred mustard-filled munitions that are too badly deteriorated to put through the TOCDF, and a handful of GA nerve agent and Lewisite blister agent-filled bulk containers. Workers are constructing new facilities within the chemical storage area, specifically designed to handle the remaining stockpile at DCD.

U.S. Army commanders and managers anticipate concluding the remaining agent demilitarization (destruction) operations early 2012, ahead of the April 2012 International Chemical Weapons Treaty deadline. The final elimination of all agent munitions at DCD will be another historic event for Tooele County, the U.S. Army, and the world. I look forward to it.

Monitoring Spring Runoff

2011-05-11T15:17:00.000-06:00

The Tooele County Commission is vigilantly monitoring the potential for spring flooding this year. Commissioner Bruce Clegg and County Engineer Vern Loveless make regular patrols of specific areas of concern. However, while electronic news media are painting a gloomy picture on the Salt Lake City side of the Oquirrh Mountains, Clegg and Loveless agree that the situation in Tooele County is manageable.

Long-time residents of Tooele County will remember the flooding of 1983. City streets were turned into roaring rivers. Roads and yards were washed out. Homes were flooded. People all around the Tooele Valley were recruited to fill sand bags. I remember getting out of church early on a Sunday afternoon in Erda to go fill sand bags in Tooele.

The good news is it’s unlikely that we’ll see a repeat of that disaster. Utah Snotel measurements indicate that the Oquirrh Mountains are at 145% of normal for water equivalent, the amount of water contained in the snow. That’s only about half of the water content we saw during the winter of 1982-1983. The only factor of real concern now is how fast the temperatures will increase and bring down the water that is up in the mountains.

More recently, people will remember the flash flood of Memorial Day 2005. However, that was caused by a three hour continuous downpour, not spring runoff. Loveless points out that that’s a significant difference. “This is a snow melt event, not a cloudburst. We can see flood conditions arise over days, not minutes,” he said. Commissioner Clegg added, “With this type of event we’ll have enough warning to take proactive measures if the water exceeds flood controls.”

The other good news is that in the years after the floods of 1983, FEMA paid to install several new flood control measures in Tooele County. Those flood control measures include construction of a ditch and dike designed to divert water coming out of South Willow and North Willow Canyons away from residences and towards Tooele Army Depot and an aquifer recharge zone (absorption area) just south of SR-112; installation of larger culverts under SR-36 north of the viaduct and near 700 South; installation of larger drainage pipes on the south side of Tooele; and excavation of deeper flood control channels along the border between Tooele City and Erda.

In spite of the positive outlook, city and county engineers, public works and roads employees, irrigation company managers, and emergency management are working hard to mitigate any potential flood waters. Recent mitigation efforts include inspecting and maintaining the flood control measures installed with FEMA funding, cleaning drainage ditches and flood control channels, and filling sand bags.

There are several areas that officials are focusing on right now. They are Settlement Canyon, Middle Canyon, the South Willow Canyon and North Willow Canyon drainage, Ophir Canyon, Hickman Canyon, and the Vernon drainage. So far none of those areas are showing any signs of flooding.

Commissioner Clegg is working closely with Tooele County Emergency Management (TCEM) and with other officials to coordinate snow melt information weekly. TCEM creates a SitRep or Situation Report, containing details of the current situation and mitigation efforts. That SitRep is distributed to, and reviewed by, all local governments. TCEM has also supplied more sand bags to local municipalities, and is documenting efforts in case an emergency is declared and reimbursement is available.

You may be wondering what you can do to help. As for any natural hazard potential, have a family disaster plan and disaster supplies kits; maintain situational awareness, meaning be aware of what’s going on around you; consider purchasing flood insurance; report areas of concern to your local government officials; and monitor warning systems if an emergency does occur. People are also encouraged to organize cleanup efforts to remove trash, weeds, and other debris from gutters, storm drains, and drainage ditches that may exist around your home or in your neighborhood.

Emergency Preparedness information is available in many forms at the TCEM Building at 15 East 100 South in Tooele. You can consult your 2011 Tooele County Emergency Preparedness Calendar. Information is also available electronically at www.tcem.org, or by following TCEM on www.Twitter.com, @TCEM; and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/tcem.org. Feel free to call (435) 833-8100 with emergency preparedness questions.

Getting Ready for the "Big One"

2011-04-05T10:24:00.001-06:00

Experts are calling it the fifth biggest earthquake since 1900. The March 11th earthquake that hit Japan’s main island of Honshu measured magnitude 9.0 on the Richter scale. The resulting tsunami wiped out Sendai, Japan leaving death and destruction in the wake of the 30 foot high wall of water. Thousands are dead and thousands more are still missing.

It seems like these natural disasters, especially earthquakes, are occurring with more frequency all over the world. Whether that’s really true or not, I don’t know. But I do know that when it comes to a major earthquake hitting our state, scientists say it’s not a matter of “if,” but “when.”

Of course, after the Japanese quake everyone is talking about the terrible disaster. Many people are taking notice and starting, or continuing, to get prepared. Commissioner Colleen Johnson said, “People tend to forget about preparedness until the next disaster hits. Emergency preparedness is certainly on people’s minds now.”

I hope it is on your mind now. The Tooele County Commissioners are concerned for the safety of our citizens and are urging everyone to takes steps to become prepared for emergencies and disasters. Commissioner Jerry Hurst said, “Everybody ought to be prepared. Nobody expects these disasters to happen to them, but they do happen. We can’t be totally prepared for everything, but we need to do the best we can.”

So where do you begin? Emergency Preparedness for any type of hazard begins with a Family Disaster Plan. Your plan should consist of knowing protective actions, designating an out-of-state telephone contact, identifying one family meeting place outside your home and one outside your neighborhood in case of evacuation, creating Disaster Supply Kits for each family member and your vehicles, keeping and rotating water and food storage in your home, keeping your gas tanks at least half full, and knowing emergency plans for your child’s school. Include special-needs neighbors and pets in your plans.

In the case of an earthquake, the first thing to know and remember is the protective action: “Drop, Cover, and Hold on.” Get under sturdy furniture and hold on until the shaking stops. While the duration of the Japanese earthquake was unusually long, with shaking lasting three to five minutes, most quakes last less than a minute. You don’t have time to run around looking for cover. “Drop, Cover, and Hold on” wherever you are, as soon as possible. If you’re outside, stay outside, but away from power lines, trees, walls and fences. Don’t run out of, or into, a building. The biggest cause of death and injury in an earthquake is falling objects.

This may sound callous but if you don’t know how to protect yourself during a natural disaster, it may not matter if you have any other emergency plans and supplies in place. Teach your family and friends to “Drop, Cover, and Hold on” just as much as they know “Stop, Drop, and Roll.” Try to stay calm and don’t panic during disasters.

Commissioner Bruce Clegg has encouraged citizens to have water stored for emergencies since he first took office. He said, “We live in the high desert and with droughts, power outages, and disasters, you never know when our fresh water supply might be threatened or interrupted. It’s important that everyone have food and water storage.” Commissioner Johnson agreed, “I think everyone should have water stored in their homes. We can live without food longer than we can live without water.”

In April 2003, National Public Radio’s Howard Berkes called Tooele County one of the best prepared rural counties in the nation. And we’ve only improved since then. Tooele County Emergency Management (TCEM) can activate the Emergency Operations Center where officials coordinate, communicate, and collaborate for emergency response and resource needs. TCEM also maintains several warning systems including sirens, highway message boards, tone-alert radios, Emergency Alert System, route alerting, telephone calling trees, Twitter (twitter.com/tcem), and Facebook (facebook.com/tcem.org).

Unfortunately, many of the natural hazards that could affect Tooele County such as an earthquake or tornado will provide little to no warning. When warning is available and during disasters, the warning systems will be utilized to provide emergency public information to help people during the response to, and recovery, from a disaster.

Because we don’t know when the next big earthquake will hit our area, we need to get prepared now. Emergency Management Director, Kari Sagers, said, “The best steps you can take to prepare are those you do before the disaster. When the disaster hits, the time to prepare has passed.”

There are no guarantees when it comes to surviving a disaster, but if you do all you can to prepare for the worst, then you can hope for the best.
Emergency Preparedness information is available in many forms at the TCEM Building at 15 East 100 South in Tooele. You can consult your 2011 Tooele County Emergency Preparedness Calendar. Information is also available electronically at www.tcem.org. Feel free to call (435) 833-8100 with emergency preparedness questions.

Earthquakes, Earthquakes, Earthquakes!

2010-05-06T16:08:00.004-06:00

It seems like there's news every week of another earthquake happening somewhere around the world. These occurences raise a lot of questions.

Are they really happening with more frequency? I don't know. When did the last major earthquake occur in our area? For Tooele County, that was more than 400 years ago. I'm sure none of us felt that one.

When will the next major earthquake hit here? Again, I don't know. Seismologists study quakes to try to predict the tremblors with some degree of accuracy. But so far, that's just not possible. I do know that Utah averages 700 quakes a year. That's about two a day. But they're usually two small or in such remote places that we don't feel them.

But the most important question to ask and answer is, when should we be prepared for an earthquake? Right now.

The first step to being prepared is knowing the correct protective action to take when the earth starts shaking. That is "Drop, Cover and Hold On." Again, "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." Everyone needs to know that like they know the old clothing-on-fire rule "Stop, Drop and Roll."

"Drop, Cover and Hold On" means get low on the floor, under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a desk, table, chair, or stand in a doorway, and hold on to the furniture or door frame until the shaking stops. If you're in bed, stay there and hold a pillow over your head.

We don't have time to run around looking for protection. You have to act immediately.
The next rule: "If you're indoors, stay indoors. If you're outdoors, stay outdoors." If outdoors, move away from trees, power lines, tall buildings, fences and walls. While driving, pull over when you can, but don't stop on bridges or under overpasses.

We need to teach our family and practice "Drop, Cover and Hold On" whenever we can. Hold family earthquake drills frequently, and in different rooms in the house. Teach your children how to stay safe during earthquakes.

Judging by the recent chain of earthquakes, the experts are probably right in saying that when it comes to an earthquake, it's not a matter of if, but when. Please be prepared for earthquakes.

Facts about the new TCEM Building

2009-09-09T13:45:00.002-06:00

Building Name: Tooele County Emergency Management Building
Houses: Tooele County Emergency Management Department, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and the 911 Dispatch Center
General Contractor: Ascent Construction
Construction: January 2008 - May 2009
Total Square Footage: 16,000 sq. ft.
Cost: approx. $5 million ($2.5 million provided by CSEPP, $2.5 million provided by Tooele County)
Structural Integrity: meets FEMA requirements for a critical facility, exceeds current building codes for seismic activity up to magnitude 7.4 by 50%
EOC Features: kitchen facility, men’s and women’s sleeping quarters and shower facilities for long term activation
Redundancies: a 6,000 gallon backup drinking water source, two backup power sources (UPS and a diesel generator with 4,000 gallon diesel tank), a heating system which runs on propane (3,000 gallons of propane storage), a backup battery bank for communications systems, and off-site telephone connections and power failure telephones; all capabilities allowing the EOC to continue operations for two weeks without outside assistance
Other Features: American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant throughout, environmentally friendly: maximum use of natural lighting, high efficiency heating and cooling system with extra insulation, motion sensors to control lights in offices and storage rooms, and water in bathroom faucets

Reaching Out to You with New Media

2009-08-06T15:13:00.003-06:00

As Public Information Officer (PIO) for TCEM, part of my job entails communicating with the public and the media during emergencies and non-emergencies. Traditionally, the means to do this have been limited to the annual Tooele County Emergency Preparedness Calendar, public presentations and information booths, booklets and brochures, and specifically for the media, news releases and interviews.

That's about to change. Along with those traditional methods, TCEM is beginning to utilize what's being called by some "new media." You may know it as "social media." Either way, we are incorporating new technology to send emergency messages, alerts and warning notifications, and preparedness information.

Anyone can follow TCEM on Twitter.com to receive potentially life-saving information. TCEM Tweets are also shown on this blog. The blog also features TCEM Audio Alerts which the public and media can listen to for the latest information concerning specific incidents.

As PIO, I am still learning how to use these and many more new media tools to increase outreach and dissemination of emergency public information in a timely and accurate manner. These efforts will supplement, not replace, our other important alert and notification methods which include: the Emergency Alert System on TV and radio, our Sirens and Highway Message Boards, the Tone Alert Radios (NOAA weather radios), route alerting (police car and fire engine PA systems), and telephone calling trees.

Hopefully when the time comes that you really need that critical emergency information, you'll know how to get it.

Water, That Life-sustaining Liquid

2008-09-26T11:38:00.000-06:00

We can't live more than a couple of days without it. It makes up more than 75% of our total body weight. Water, that critical life-sustaining liquid element. It comes into our houses just by turning a tap. We rely on it every day for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and sanitation. When we need it, we expect it to be there ready to quench our thirst at a moment's notice. We've just got to have it.

But what if there isn't any water available right when we want it? What if it takes a couple of days to complete a plumbing project in your house? What if your water meter or the water line in your neighborhood is being replaced? What if the source of your water is contaminated? Or what if there's a major disaster in your city, with water mains broken everywhere and all major services interrupted? What are you going to do to provide water for yourself and your family?

I can't emphasize enough the importance of having water storage in our homes. It's our responsibility, and not the government's or the American Red Cross's or our church's, to meet the physical needs of our family members. Those other groups are there to help us, but we don't want to have to wait days and possibly weeks for that help to arrive in a disaster situation.

So what do you need to know to start storing water in your home? In my public emergency preparedness presentations, I get a lot of questions about how to properly and safely store drinking water, especially about storage containers.

First of all, while glass containers may not leach any chemicals into the water, they could break during an earthquake, and there goes your water storage. Plastic containers are more durable and come in larger sizes to increase your total amount of water storage. That's important given the suggestion that you should store one gallon per person per day for as many days as you think you might be without water.

But here's where all the questions I get come in: which plastics are safe to use, and which plastics aren't? I finally did some research about that. Here's what I found out.

Most plastic containers are embossed with the recycling symbol, the three arrows chasing each other, and a number in the middle. Pay attention to that number. It tells you what you need to know to keep your family's drinking water safe. Look for a 2 (high density polyethylene), 4 (low density polyethylene), or a 5 (polypropylene). These plastics won't leach chemicals into the water and are safer for long-term storage. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find storage containers with these numbers.

The majority of plastic liquid and beverage containers we buy, including bottled water, are stamped with a 1 (polyethylene terephthalate). Some studies have shown that these containers may leach toxic chemicals over time. So these are not the best choice for long term water storage. It also highlights the importance of rotating your water storage supply.

Avoid plastic containers with a 3, 6, or 7. Most studies concluded that these plastics will release dangerous chemicals after prolonged use. However, there seems to be some disagreement about plastics with a 7 (polycarbonate). Let me just say use it with caution.

As for rotation, the American Red Cross recommends that you rotate your water storage every six to seven months; while the Utah State University Extension Service advises rotating water every six to seven years, with a caveat that treated water (from a city water system) may be stored indefinitely.

Keep your water storage in a location that is cool, but always above freezing. Also, keep your water storage out of direct sunlight.

The bottom line is, no matter what, if you haven't already, start storing water now, along with food and other emergency supplies for your family. The next time you go to the sink and turn on the tap for a cold, refreshing glass of water, remember that you don't know when that life-sustaining liquid might not be there.

Annual Exercise Fast Approaching

2008-08-25T16:16:00.000-06:00

I'm sure you've heard the old adage "Practice makes perfect." Most if not all of us have called on that familiar phrase some time in our lives as encouragement to persist in developing a talent of one kind or another. It was only within the last year or two, however, that I heard a more accurate variation of that saying: "Perfect practice makes perfect."

That certainly makes sense to me. I may practice shooting baskets for hours a day, but if I don't practice using the perfect form, the perfect motion, the perfect follow through each time, I probably won't see any improvement in my overall shooting skill.

Tooele County Emergency Management (TCEM) also believes that perfect practice makes perfect. That's why TCEM is working with several jurisdictions and government and volunteer agencies to plan, conduct, and participate in the 2008 annual, full-scale, CSEPP Exercise.

There will be an incident at a local military installation, as well as other unrelated emergencies outside the installation boundaries. The exercise scenario will require various emergency responses including activation of the Tooele County Emergency Operations Center, the Tooele Community Joint Information Center, a Reception Center for evacuees, and local medical care facilities. There will be professional responders wearing full protective equipment and operating emergency response vehicles. There will even be mock accident victims complete with moulage, or mock injury make up.

As in past years, residents of Tooele County may view these emergency response operations in relation to the mock disaster drill. All that emergency activity may be alarming to passers-by that aren't aware that an exercise is in progress. But it's no reason for alarm. It's all just pretend.

Tooele County is known as one of the best prepared counties in the state, if not in the nation. It got that way be conducting these major exercises each year and refining its response capabilities and plans. We don't know when something disastrous may come our way for real. So we'll continue to apply that newly revised, old adage: "Perfect practice makes perfect."

Emergency Preparedness Stimulus Checks

2008-06-10T09:19:00.000-06:00

First, a hearty hello to my fellow Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) National Public Affairs (PA) Integrated Process Team (IPT) (Boy, that's a long title for a group!) members who might be curious enough about my blog to actually look it up. It was great meeting with you in Baltimore last month.

Now, getting down to business, I was recently talking to an acquaintance who asked me about some emergency preparedness steps. He mentioned an idea that he and his wife came up with, that I really liked, and want to pass along to everyone.

Most, if not all of us have received or will receive a check from the Federal Government. They're meant to increase our spending power and give a boost to the economy. My friend's idea was to use that "extra" money to buy food and water storage. What better way to increase our level of preparedness while at the same time stimulating the economy.

If you haven't already spent your check on something else, take the opportunity to add to your food and water storage now. Go to your local grocer and buy your favorite canned goods (soup, fruit and vegetables) by the case; purchase bags of flour, oats, rice, beans, and sugar; and get several empty 5-gallon or 33-gallon water containers and fill them up.

After Hurricane Katrina, FEMA recommended everyone have a seven day supply of food and water in their homes. In my opinion, that's still not very much. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recommends that its members have a three month's supply of food and water.

Whether you're shooting for a week's supply or a three month's supply, just start now putting away some food and water for the unexpected emergencies, large or small. It may be the "Big One"; it may be rising fuel prices triggering a trucking shortage; it may just be that you or your spouse lost your job and can't find work for a few months. No matter what the emergency, you'll be glad you had your food and water supply on hand.

Entering unfamiliar waters of technology

2008-05-13T12:55:00.001-06:00

I'm Wade Mathews, the Public Information Officer for Tooele County Emergency Management. This is my first time doing anything like this. I don't have my own website (of course, my department does); I don't have my own My Space page; and I've never uploaded anything to YouTube.

I've been aware of the existence of blogs for many years. However, it was only recently that I learned that blogs could be a tool for disseminating emergency public information. That will be the main purpose of this blog.

I hope to keep the public informed about things pertaining to Tooele County Emergency Management and "Preparedness Matters" in times of calm and in times of disaster. One of my job assignments is to gather, verify, and disseminate potentially life-saving information during emergencies. I also try to educate the public about the importance of creating a Family Disaster Plan and storing essential emergency supplies before disasters occur.

I don't know how often I will make entries in this blog, but I will see how it goes for a while.