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.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
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."
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Emergency Preparedness Stimulus Checks
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Entering unfamiliar waters of technology
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.
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.
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