120 Hour 5 Day Plan

For many decades the professionals urged us to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit in a backpack, for each member of our household. 

Five years ago, when the Salt Lake City S.A.F.E. Neighborhoods catastrophic disaster program was expanded to include all of Salt Lake County, we began educating everyone to refresh, update and expand their 72-hour kits into a supply of essentials that would serve each family member for 96-hours – that’s 4 days and 4 nights. 

Things That I Learned from Hurricane Sandy -- A Heads Up For All of Us!

by Frantz Ostmann on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 7:13am 

1. The excitement and coolness wear off around day 3.
2. You are never really prepared to go weeks without power, heat, water etc. Never!
3. Yes it can happen to you.
4. Just because your generator runs like a top, does not mean its producing electricity.
5. If you do not have water stored up you are in trouble.  A couple of cases of bottled water is “NOT” water storage.
6. You should have as much fuel as water:   a. Propane,     b. Gas,      c. Kerosene,      d. Firewood,      e. Firestarter, (kindling, paper, etc.)
7. Even the smallest little thing that you get from the store should be stocked up. (spark plug for the generator, BBQ lighter, etc.)

Added Observations Regarding Hurricane Sandy

by Amie Ostmann

1. Store a lot of ‘mix-ins’ to help flavor your stored water.  
2. Being without running water was more inconvenient than having no power.  
3. Before-hand we stored milk jugs filled with water, ¾ full, and put in the freezer.  When we had no power, we put the jugs, a couple at a time, into the fridge to keep food cold.  When they melted, we used for drinking.  
4. I wished I had more candles.
5. 10-hour candles were awesome.  
6. Candles give a broader light than a flashlight.  
7. We had one lantern; it was better than the candles.  I wished for more.

12 Points of Business Continuity Planning

The Utah Department of Emergency Management (DEM) has many tools for businesses.  While most large corporations have emergency prepare and resilience departments with plans in place, many small businesses are not sufficiently prepared to respond to disaster and get back to business in the short term.  Unprepared companies may never open their doors again.

The DEM has education and training resources to create or support business preparation, response and recovery plans.  Resiliency is the key point.  The list below outlines topics covered in their free Business Preparedness Series.  Contact them at BeReadyUtah.gov.  Don’t put it off.

YOU are the HELP

Who will Help?

In a major disaster YOU (and I) are the HELP ‘til aid arrives …and that could take at least 96 hours.

Are you prepared to meet your essential needs for 4 days and 4 nights?

That would include: Toileting; 4 gallons of safe drinking water per person; first aid; your essential meds; food; hygiene supplies comfort items.  Does your kit include cash (small bills); house and auto keys; copies of your Identification; a contact list; and your important papers?

Seniors, You Need to Prepare

It is common sense – in a major disaster everyone will be impacted.  Young and old alike will suffer from: no electricity, no working toilets, scarcity of safe drinking water, food, medications and other essential supplies.  Damaged buildings and roads will affect us one and all.

There is no age we reach when we can say “I don’t have to prepare any more, the younger ones will take care of me.”  Or, “I’m too old to do the work or spend money to be prepared.”  Or, “I prepared years ago and nothing happened.”

Emergency professionals have a saying: “you are either part of the solution because you are prepared, or, unprepared, you quickly become part of the problem.”

Seniors: Don’t be Left Behind When Disaster Strikes

Disasters impact aging adults.  But there are things you can do NOW, to reduce your risk of being left behind when everyone is evacuating:

1. Consider joining a group of like-minded people and become a valuable member.  Going it alone is not a safe or practical disaster preparedness or response strategy.  That is true for people of any age, but especially for seniors.

2. Has your community identified gathering places?  If your home is no longer safe after a catastrophic disaster or you want to be with others, a gathering place is your best refuge destination.  If you don’t know of such a location, contact your city’s emergency manager and find out if there are gathering places that have been designated.  If you live in Salt Lake County, UT, you have the S.A.F.E. Neighborhoods program with its pre-selected gathering hubs.