Be more prepared for emergencies

It seems as if the threat of major flooding is lower than it was last week. But I am still curious about how many of you would be affected in some way by flooding? Do you have friends or family who would be? What kind of help would be required if there were flooding? I wonder if there is some way to organize volunteers in advance of such an event, so that people and plans can be deployed immediately in response...

*the image in this post was taken at Fort Langley last night by Flickr user SimoneHudson

This annual, national event aims to increase awareness about individual and family emergency preparedness. Governments, first responders, private industry, universities and non-governmental organizations all plan activities for Emergency Preparedness Week.

Do you have a plan at home? By being prepared at home you reduce the risks and lessen the consequences of a disaster. You have probably heard that you should plan to be self-sufficient for 72 hours; and should stockpile some water, food and first aid supplies.

If you’ve been putting this off, this is the week to take action.

Just because the recent alert for an increased earthquake risk has been called off, doesn't mean we shouldn't prepared. I am going out after work today to complete my earthquake preparedness kit.

Then I am going to make plans to get the heck out of Vancouver in April 2008.

Basic kit courtesy of the government of Canada You may have some of these items already, such as a flashlight, battery-operated radio, food, water and blankets. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find. Would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark?

I've run across a couple of reports that B.C. faces increased risk of an earthquake over the next week or so. See for example

http://tinyurl.com/28bg38

I'm taking the opportunity to replenish my emergency reserve of drinking water, which I used up during the boil water advisory; I am also increasing the reserve from 16 litres to 32.

Antifreeze is deadly to pets, thousands of animals have died from ingesting the liquid which is used in all engines.  The problem lies in the fact that antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which is extremely toxic to both people and animals.  Adding to the problem is the fact that to an animal antifreeze smells sweet and enticing, and they also like the taste.  Even the smallest amount of antifreeze is deadly, and 88% of animal encounters with the substance will be fatal.

But it doesn't have to be the case.

People need to be ready to stay normal when things are not normal. If people went into a panic about water, imagine what Vancouver and The Lower Mainland, GVRD would be like if the snow and cold followed a few days after an earthquake.

Here is a list of sites that I've found that have very good information about being prepared for emergencies. The opinions expressed on some of these sites deal with Survivalism and do not necessarily relect my own. Many sites have their own links section for more information.

Hi,

So, in the Lower Mainland the boil water advisory has been lifted and the snow is melting. We once again return to normal. People need to be ready to stay normal when things are not normal. If people went into a panic about water, imagine what Vancouver and The Lower Mainland, GVRD would be like if the snow and cold followed a few days after an earthquake.

Here is a list of sites that I've found that have very good information about being prepared for emergencies. The opinions expressed on some of these sites deal with Survivalism and do not necessarily relect my own. Many sites have their own links section for more information.

If this water thing has taught me anything, it's to be prepared.

Oh, the stories I've heard from retail workers... people crowd surfing, biting employees, wreaking all sorts of havoc, and tearing stores apart, all in the name of bottled water.

Not to mention the fact that boiling and filtering water is probably a much saner way to go than getting in with that mess, that stuff is NUTS. Come on... physical and verbal abuse? Towards the people you want to *help* you? When there's absolutely *nothing* they can do? What were those people thinking?

My co-author at IndieScribe has written a post about how Gordon Campbell is trying to push privatized water treatment facilities onto British Columbians, and how is going to have a hard time of it because we don't support it.  LINK.

Is it not true that our tax dollars pay for clean water?  And if the city, district, province or whoever cannot provide this sufficiently then it is their failing?  I know that they cannot control mother nature, but come on - shouldn't they have anticipated something like this could have happened?  I mean, boohoo we got a lot of rain - we live in a rain forest - it isn't much of a stretch to think that it is a possibility that we would get this much rain, therefore fowling our water?

NEPP Workshop #1: Personal Emergency Preparedness

Location: West End Community Centre - 870 Denman Street
Date: Nov 21, 2006
Time: 7:00 PM

Registration Information:
Phone: (604) 257-8333

Workshop Description:
Emergencies and disasters can happen with little or no warning. Being prepared could save your life or the lives of others and significantly improve your quality of living in the aftermath.

I will cheerfully admit to feeling a little smug that some months ago, I laid in an emergency supply of drinking water--a total of 16 liters, which at current rates of consumption should keep me in coffee and herbal tea for some time yet.

I took this step as a response to an emergency preparedness workshop at my local library, put on by the City of Vancouver to help residents understand how to prepare for an earthquake or what-have-you. Highly recommended, by the way.

Despite the inconvenience to most and some real problems for some (the elderly, for instance, and the many restaurants and shops that rely on clean fresh water to stay, um, afloat), this isn't a completely bad thing.

No, really.

Most of the time, it's almost too easy to get safe drinking water in Vancouver: turn on a tap, and it appears. I never really have to think about there it comes from, how it gets here, and what happens to it after we use it.

The boil water advisory has been lifted for all areas of the lower mainland with the exception of Vancouver, North Shore and Burnaby. Too bad that is most of the lower mainland.

FROM THE GVRD:

Medical Health Authorities have advised that “at the recommendation of the Medical Health Officers, the boil water advisory is lifted for all areas except Vancouver, North Shore and Burnaby. Turbidity levels for all other areas is at acceptable levels, because they are being served by the Coquitlam water source. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

I used to store clean water in my used milk containers in my closet. I figured that is was a good idea. A roomate noted one day that it rain a lot here so why bother? I was unduely influcenced by that(shame on me).

When i moved from the place i left the water there. Well don't i wish i had it now?? I do have two "empty" milk containers in my kitchen. They were "supposed" to be filled with water. But they are not.

Even after boiling the water now and looking at the mirkiness of it. Things become (for lack of a better word) clear. It may be safe but my eyes say NO. i can't drink that. I can't use that to rinse my food. I can't, I can't.

I need to find what i can do. Here is a link that will help you to make clear water in your kitchen. I can make clear water, even though it is slow and tedious.

I can release my conditioning that tells me that anything but clear water is not drinkable.

I can use this event to show me how much we have and how much we take for granted.

I can, and so can we all.

thanks.

nan.

http://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Salt-Water-Into-Drinking-Water

It's day two of the boil water advisory, and I almost had a panic attack this morning when the radio which was waking me up announced that Starbucks and Tim Hortons would not be open because they have no water. OH MY GOD, NO COFFEE!

What would I do? Good thing my wife is a genius; she had boiled some water the night before and was using that to make me my morning coffee. The world would be alright after all!

I just learned that this water crisis could go on for two weeks. It sure will be a test to how well we actually adapt to changes when push comes to shove. I was boiling water last night for my household and I didn't even want to give it to the animals, it was brown and, hand on my heart, had twigs in it. I guess when it comes to survival, my squeamishness will have to change.

I also have to come up with an alternative solution for my morning caffeine fix, Starbucks is closed for business, (for all intents and purposes) they are not serving hot drinks. As an emergency stopgap measure today the barista made me a cup of soy milk with the chai syrup in it and I brought it back to the office and warmed it up myself. I'd say I am adapting quite well.

What changes has this water crisis led you to make (voluntary or not)? We'd love to hear from you, so write about them here. And make sure to upload your best Vancouver water crisis photo in your post!

ps - this image belongs to creamaster