EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with headquarters in Salt Lake City has long been know for encouraging its members to become self sufficient. That goes to quite a depth including encouraging members to become well educated and skilled in more than one trade. Members are asked to store non-perishable food for possible emergencies or disasters, to learn additional skills such as gardening, sewing, first aid, and others that could be of use to their families or to other members of the community.
With that in mind I am going to try to provide some help and inspiration to get your creative mental juices going. You may find something here that you had not thought of before. I am also going to include some links to other web sites that are closely related to the topic at hand. If you look this over and think of some changes or additions I should make then please feel free to contact me. This is for you.
I have never had to suffer through any true disaster in the sense of a natural disaster. As a child I have seen minor calamities within the family (illness, unemployment) and have seen the same happen to others. Losing a job and not being able to get another except for minimum wage is a calamity. My father became paralyzed at age 54 and was never able to work again . We limped along on a pension but the reason we did as well as we did and not worse was because my mother was strong and she had skills that she put to use. I have a lot to be thankful for having had good parents and a mother who would not throw in the towel and quit.
Links
Note that in the following links I have made mention of some alternative living items such as solar cooking, heating, electrical power, that sort of thing. There may be times ahead when we run into rationing regarding water and electricity. If you can provide your own clean water, heat, and electricity you're in a more comfortable position than your neighbor who is not well prepared. The same can be said about those who grow most of their own food. If we aren't largely self sufficient then it's hard to bring comfort and aid to our neighbor.
To see what the leaders of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints say about being prepared go to:
Provident Living (LDS Site):
- http://www.providentliving.org/
LDS Emergency Resources:
Find out what is happening in the world, what humanitarian needs there are and how they are being met. Find out how you can look after your family's needs.
http://www.ldsemergencyresources.com/
To Find out what the British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program Suggests Go To:
http://www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/AllHazards_WEB.pdf
There you will find a book that you can print out and share with your family. You all need to work on it. It's great material for FAMILY HOME EVENING. The book is called - Individual & Neighbourhood ALL-HAZARD Emergency Preparedness Workbook. Don't try to do the book all at once, maybe do a chapter each Monday evening as a family activity (Family Home Evening)
Links to Disaster and Emergency Management:
http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/disaster.htm
Canadian Centre for Disease Control in British Columbia - http://www.bccdc.ca/default.htm
With a link to - http://www.fightflu.ca/index-eng.html
Emergency Management Office, The Peoples Government of Guangdong Province (China)-
http://www.gdemo.gov.cn/english/
In regards to the link to Guangdong province - it's very well done. We don't have typhoons to contend with here in BC but we do get some miserable winter storms that can block roads, washout bridges and communications links including cell phone coverage in the more remote areas. So, not that much difference.
Food and Water
LDS Emergency Preparedness by
Safe Food Storage (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) - http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/tipcon/storagee.shtml
LDS Food Storage Calculator - http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm
LDS Food Storage - Assessing Your Needs - http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/previousyears/aa102201b.htm
LDS Food Storage - Should I Share My Food Storage - http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/aa112202d.htm
Prudent Food Storage - Questions and answers - http://www.survival-center.com/foodfaq/ff1-toc.htm
Water Storage and Purification - http://www.survival-center.com/guide/water.htm
Wilderness Water Purification - http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/water.shtml
Sawyer Products - Water Filtration - http://www.sawyer.com/index.htm
Note that the Sawyer filtration system is somewhat unique. According to users the units have much less tendency to jam up when filtering swampy water, can be back washed, and can be reused. I have not used one of their filters myself but after reading the accolades from users I would be inclind to try it out. If anyone gets one please write to me and let me know what your experience is especially if you can compare it to other filters you have used before. Thanks in advance.
Enviroharvest Inc. - Miscellaneous Survival Products (Generators, Photovoltaics, Wind Power, Batteries, Power Panels, Inverters, Food, Etc Etc Etc - Canadian) - http://www.enviroharvest.ca/
Note: Enviroharvest have a very comprehensive site. Be prepared to spend some time there. They have products to sell but also provide useful information to help you decide on what you need to sustain yourself.
First Aid Supplies
Local Suppliers
Costco (Excellent First Aid Kit for home, car, or boat. Beware that the kits are only available seasonally and the price has been reasonable). I really like these kits because the different items were in plastic envelopes and organized like a loose leaf binder. If you open it to take out a bandaid things don't become immediately disorganized. Even if you don't purchase one of these at least have a look at it as a possible example as to how to make your own first aid kit.
Alert First-Aid Services - www.alertfirstaid.com 3130 Jutland Road, Victoria - (250) 595-5323
Custom Safety Inc - 2-491 Dupplin Rd, Victori (250) 380-7233 (make up your own 1st Aid Kit for your family's requirements)
72 Hour Kits
Costco 72 hour kits. Beware that the 72 hour kits have been available seasonally . The price is reasonable. The Costco 72 hour kits are a good start. Just add items to it to personalize it for your family (vitamins, prescription drugs, etc.).
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11469280
Solar Cooking & Pasteurization
Solar Cookers International - http://www.solarcookers.org/basics/how.html Solar Cooking Archives - http://solarcooking.org/
Solar Cooking (Wiki) - http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
Complete Guide to Solar Cooking - http://www.partselect.com/JustForFun/Solar-Cooking.aspx
Solar Electric Power (Photovoltaic)
PV Information (Gov of Canada) - http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/eng/search.html?q=photovoltaic&x=0&y=0&ty=
Energy Alternatives (Saanich BC) - http://www.energyalternatives.ca/systemdesign/pv1.html
Renew Canada (NB Supplier) - http://www.renewcanada.com/
We Go Solar (Chemainus Company) - http://wegosolar.com/
Simply Solar (Do-it-yourself solar panel construction instruction http://www.thesolarguitar.com/pdf/simply_solar.pdf
Water Power
Water Power - http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_hydro.html
Water Turbine Generators - http://www.absak.com/library/hydro-power
Wild Water Power (Water Pump) - http://www.wildwaterpower.com/
Hydroelectric Power Generation - Costa Rica - http://www.osawaterworks.com/hydroelectric.htm
Microhydro Power -
http://www.energyalternatives.ca/catalogue/Categories/4.htm
Wind Power
Small Wind Energy - http://www.smallwindenergy.ca/en/SmallWind.html
Canadian Wind Energy Association - http://www.canwea.ca/index_e.php
Wind Gen on the Farm - http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/03-047.htm
Electric Power - Gas and Diesel Emergency Generators
- How to Select one, How to Hook it Up, Safety
- http://ne.mara.net/generator/gen.pdf/
Gardening
Greenhouses
PVC Hoop House - http://westsidegardener.com/howto/hoophouse.html
Passive Solar Greenhouse - http://www.irisherbal.com/psg/content/whybuild.html
Note that white PVC pipe is easy to use but all of the PVC piping I have seen was meant for direct burial and does not like to be left in exposure to sunlight. It tends to get brittle after a while. A slightly more expensive alternative is gray PVC electrical conduit. It has untraviolet protection built into the mix and so can be used outside.
Raised Bed Gardening
Raised Bed Gardening - http://www.tdc.ca/raisedgardens.htm
Vegetable Gardening with Raised Beds - http://www.gardenersgardening.com/vegetablegardening.html
The following was sent regarding the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and the experience a family had regarding necessity to be prepared. It's very good reading.This is not untypical, as a matter of fact things can get a lot worse, especially for those not prepared as this family was.
Dear Friends:
Just to let you know that the Rittman's are doing well. We have a 6'x6' hole in our roof, no electricity or running water, Trees down everywhere. However, because we listened to the counsel of our Prophet we are prepared. In fact it seems to me that it's only the members of the church who seem to be calm, prepared, and helping one another with trees in roofs, flooding, etc.
There is a POD or Point of Distrubution in Tomball where we live.There you get water and ice IF you have enough fuel to wait in the 3 hour lines. We don't have to do that because we have 3 full water barrels, 75 juice bottles filled with water, and our pool which is dirty but we use it to flush.
It is very difficult to get gas. Police guard the stations when fuel is delivered and you might wait half a day to get up to the pump just to have them say, "Too bad, we are out".
I am grateful that we have a generator. We run it 4 hours a day to keep our fridge and light. I am grateful that we have had fuel for it. You can't even by gas containers as they are rationed. We can only buy bread once a week and are limited to 2 loaves at a time. Water is rationed by the case at the grocery store, 3 cases per family.
The ATM machines do not have power. For the past 6 months I have stashed small bills away because I have had such a feeling of foreboding. We have cash because of that.LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT. Get cash in small bills because the stores can't make change and credit and debit cards often don't work. I had to pay 5 dollars more for an item because they couldn't make change for me.
PHONES ONLY WORK OCCASIONALY.
Believe it or not...I have not had a bath in 4 days, Today was the first day I got to wash my hair with pool water. I haven't fixed my hair in a week!!! It just doesn't matter anymore. We can not do laundry because we don't have water. So, we wear our clothes until they are literally disgusting.When we do finally get water we will have to boil it since it is contaminated.
I am grateful for my parents. When we got low on generator fuel they drove 45 minutes to help us. They filled up thier cans and brought us 10 gallons of fuel which kept us going until this morning at 6:oo am when we finally found some gas.
A prepared Family and a loving extended family is the key to survival and making it through right now. I know that my parents would drive to the end of the earth to help me and it's nice knowing they are there. I know that I would do the same for my children.
I want all of you to know that I have such a testimony of following the counsel of our living prophet. There really is safety and peace in your heart if you are prepared. Please get your generators, 5 gas cans full of gas, canned goods, baby items, baby wipes to bathe, and all the water you can store...even if you have to trip over it in your home. Have your lanterns, crank flashlights, tarps, rope, etc.. ready to go because you never know when it will be your turn to endure the test. It's overwhelming, but it's going to be ok eventually. I have a home, I have food, I have water, because i listened to the counsel of the prophet. Please make sure you do the same. It's time to have your life in order. Tomorrow may be too late.
I love you all so much. I wish you were here. Take care!
Here's a message just past on to me from members in Japan who have had to deal with the big earthquake and all the problems that entailed for day to day living. Note that it has been awful cold over there lately and there has been no electicity, heat, light for some time.
Email from LDS family in Japan with advice to us all
This was sent to a friend of ours March 13, and I've edited out names, they felt we could learn from this experience about a 'real' emergency. Hope it helps someone here.
Hi Everyone,
We're doing "fine" here. Considering what is going on around us.
When the first big quake hit, around 2:45 in the afternoon on Friday,
I ran to ***** room and grabbed him out of his crib. We've had
plenty of earthquakes in the 2.5 years we've been here, but this one
was huge. ***** started crying and calling for me --I got him too and
we huddled on the stairs away from windows and light fixtures. The
two boys were walking home from school and came in while the
house was still shaking. They thought it was exciting. I yelled at
them to "GET BACK OUTSIDE!" because I'd just been told if you're
outside, you're supposed to stay outside! I sat on the stairs
praying: "Please protect my kids, please protect my kids, please
protect my kids..." It seemed to last forever (around 5 minutes I've
heard) and then the aftershocks just kept coming and coming. They're
still coming.
They evacuated the hospital and **** was able to come home around 4.
[I can't tell you what a relief it was to have my whole entire family
safe and together. And how upsetting it was/is to think of people
all over Japan who have family unaccounted for. It's really hard for
me whenever one of the husbands has to leave.]
Since then, the power has been out and we haven't had any heat or
access to phones (to the states) or Internet (except ***** getting one
e-mail out from the hospital.) Friday evening we moved our friends
in with us (**** and **** and three kids) since they just shipped all
of their stuff to the states in preparation for their move in two
weeks. It's been nice to have them around because everyone is on
edge and extremely stressed.
Yesterday (Saturday) they opened the commissary (No lights, cash
only) and we grabbed some extra food, water and diapers. Since we
have the standard Mormon "food storage" I wasn't too worried about
running out of food or water, but I didn't have any spare diapers so
was happy to buy three big boxes yesterday for *****. (And yes,
I bought two big cans of hot chocolate. Priorities, people!)
We went to church for a shortened meeting to take the sacrament and
get the news today. All members of the branch have been accounted
for and we've heard that all the missionaries in Japan are accounted
for also. (Big relief.)
The power is now back on off-base which is how I have Internet access
right now. We're at ***** house. Hopefully it stays on.
We were asked at church to see
what extra coats, blankets, food and water we can round up to donate
to the Japanese people nearby. I feel heart sick thinking of those
who've lost homes and loved ones. Although you probably know much
more than me, I hear the devastation is extremely great. We were
lucky to be so safe on base and grateful our off-base friends and
neighbors were okay.
The earthquakes (aftershocks) haven't stopped and I spent all night
last night having nightmares about running from collapsing and
buckling buildings. The kids are on edge and tantrums are at an all
time high. They keep busy playing during the day, but when it gets
dark and we have to ration flashlights and candles it gets extra hard
to keep the peace.
A few things I've been wanting to tell people and note for the
future:
*Get an old school, corded phone. If the power goes out, your
cordless won't work. We were lucky to have a corded phone upstairs
which helped ***** coordinate with the Branch President to get
accountability of church members. (The phones have worked on-base
off and on, but we were never able to get a call through to the
states.)
*Speaking of accountability, in an emergency, if you're going to
leave your house--leave a note on the door saying where you are going
so when guys from church or work coming looking, they'll know where
you are.
*When the power went out, people off base couldn't get their cars out
of their garage. Turns out there is a special crank to use but most
of our friends didn't have it or know what it was. Luckily ***** had
parked outside and was able to get her kids to our house Friday.
*We've been cooking with our camping equipment. Note to self: Buy a
20 pack of small propane tanks. We've also used our outdoor BBQ (in
the cold) and I'm wishing I had a spare tank of Propane for that.
(We still don't have power and don't know when it will come back on
On Base. Estimates have said 24 hours (we're way past that) to 1
week, to indefinite.)
*Do you have an extra refill of your prescriptions in your 72 hour
kit? It's terrifying to imagine running out of the things you take
every day. Also, the thought of my kids getting sick and not having
enough Children's Advil and/or Tylenol made me pretty nervous until I
verified we had some of each.
*For ONCE I was glad to be doing Dave Ramsey yesterday when we had
plenty of cash on hand to shop at the commissary. But we also have a
cash and yen emergency fund hidden in the house for back-up which was
very comforting.
*While I'm making notes to myself: Buy a hand crank wheat grinder
and blender! (We have a freezer full of frozen fruit to make
smoothies but no way to blend anything.)
*Flashlights are a pain in my butt. All of our stupid Rayovac
crappy-**** batteries that I had stored for an emergency, LEAKED! So
the flashlights are all slowly dying, being over used by the
children, and being misplaced. The best source of light the last two
nights has been the pillar candles I've had in the cupboard for fancy
table settings. They seem to burn pretty slow and shed a lot of
light. I've gone through 3 and have 1 left. Wish I had a 20 pack of
those in my 72 hour pack. It would be nice not to worry about
running out. Small, light weight, energy efficient lanterns would be
nice too.
*Also, my next house will have a wood burning fire place. This all
would have been much easier if we could have been warm.
*Also, I'm buying all my kids a down comforter. We have one on our
bed and we've been fine at night, but the kids need 20 blankets piled
up to stay warm. (Actually, the older boys each have a two layer
fleece blanket which is pretty warm, but unfortunately, they're not
very big.)
(Poor little ***** had to spend yesterday in his snow suit to stay
warm. The poor little guy must be sensing the stress because he's
been quite out of sorts. He's always shivering (even when bundled)
and very clingy. The kids are all confused and upset but mostly
hanging in there. Like I said, it's been nice to have friends to
keep us company.)
Sorry, I'm rambling on and on but I've had all this stress for the
last two days and my main way to process is by writing my thoughts
down. So I've been going a little nuts feeling so disconnected.
A few more random thoughts:
*The last two days this thought kept running through my head "All are
safely gathered in.". I can't express enough how glad I was/am to
have my family around me. Please say a prayer for our many many
friends with deployed spouses. This is a very stressful time here
and it's really sucky for them to be apart. Also, please pray for
all the Japanese people who are missing or displaced. So sad.
*We were very blessed on base to have running (freezing cold) water.
Off base, sewer lines broke and contaminated the water supply they
weren't even supposed to touch it.
*Today we sang "I Need Thee Every Hour" at church. Has a lot of
meaning right now.
Okay, there are other people who need to use this computer. Everyone
on base is coming off base to try to contact family.
***** husband (Pilot) is at work trying to coordinate rescue efforts
so I should go down and help her take care of the multitude of
children and get everyone some lunch.
Please pray for us (us being everyone in Japan) and if you feel so
inclined, find a way to send some warm blankets to people who've lost
their homes. Don't know when I'll be back on-line again, but
hopefully soon.
Thanks to everyone for your concern.
Please advise me if there are any failed links. Thanks!
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