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.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Getting Ready for the "Big One"
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.
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.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Earthquakes, Earthquakes, Earthquakes!
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Facts about the new TCEM Building
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
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
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Reaching Out to You with New Media
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.
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.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Water, That Life-sustaining Liquid
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.
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.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Annual Exercise Fast Approaching
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."
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."
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