FLASH!!! COUNTY-WIDE ALERT -- CERT -- Life or Death!!!

Posted:  13 Apr 13

TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE!
Ignore this at your (and our) peril!

Organization of This Article

• 1.  Purposes
• 2.  To Whom is This Article Talking?
• 3.  Background
• 4.  Apparently Uncommon "Common Sense"
• 5.  Training Objectives and Provisions
• 6.  Imminent County-wide Training Schedules

1.  PURPOSES

1.1  To STRONGLY urge every single fellow human (ages 16 and above), throughout this County, to take seriously the need to become trained disaster volunteers, without delay!  There are not nearly enough of us involved, yet -- not by a long shot!  If you are physically limited (by age, health, disability, preference, etc.) there is plenty of essential light work that needs to be done, too -- to free up others to do the other tasks!

As demand grows, MORE CLASSES can be added...

1.2.  To STRONGLY urge you to do everything you can to help pass the word to every fellow resident you encounter -- AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY -- and to create such opportunities, as often as you can.

1.3  To provide many of the details you will need, concerning the national and local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs and the very rare training opportunities being presented in the very near future.

• In this article, you will find much of what you need to know and links to pertinent details.  It is as complete as I can make it, under my particular circumstances.
• You are making a grave error if you do not put this at the VERY TOP of your priority lists.  I know you're busy, but unless you're dealing with life or death matters, little is more important -- more serious -- more urgent!!!!

2.  TO WHOM IS THIS ARTICLE TALKING?

The Entire Contra Costa County! 
And to help give a "heads-up" to the rest of our magnificent nation!

2.1  Every single individual, family, neighborhood, business, and government level, not already trained and active parts of the CERT program -- virtually the entire society -- all of us -- simply MUST pitch-in here, if no where else!

2.2  We ALL need to come on board -- it is absolutely inexcusable for a literate, rational society not to do all it reasonably can to prepare for what is so clearly waiting to befall us -- with utter, undeniable certainty.  This is everyone's serious business.

And, it's all so simple to take the basic steps (and a tiny bit of time and energy) to learn what to do and not do

3.  BACKGROUND

3.1  Within a very few days, in East County, a very rare (around twice per year, so far) opportunity is being presented -- to transfer the practical knowledge and skills -- and to maximize team-building -- to make MANY MORE of the needful preparations for the disasters THAT ARE COMING -- sure as rain!

Access to training schedules (and more) for the rest of the County are also included, below.

3.2  Over the life of this City-Journal, numerous articles have been published to give you more exact insight into what this is all about.  Here are links to some of them, which should answer your more obvious questions.  Please note that these time-frames are in the PAST.  Today's very article concerns the IMMEDIATE FUTURE:

• 1 - BASIC "CERT" DISASTER APPROACH
• BE A DISASTER VOLUNTEER -- BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE -- Starts, September 17, 2012
• CERT DISASTER TRAINING SUMMARY ~ 3/5/12 ~~ DAY No. 1
• CERT DISASTER TRAINING SUMMARY ~ 3/12/12 ~ DAY No. 2
• URGENT!!! C.E.R.T. Class Schedule Up-Date (2/17/12)
• City of Pittsburg: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) - 2/21/12
• TWO SEPT CLASSES: DISASTER TRAINING / CERT - 2/17/12
• DISASTER READINESS: Hurricane Sandy - 10/26/12

3.3  And if, by chance, you're interested in where this City-Journal is headed to help insure that we never fail to attend to this and other important business, EVER AGAIN, this article might be helpful:

A STRATEGIC APPROACH: Emergency & Disaster Readiness Element

4.  APPARENTLY UNCOMMON "COMMON SENSE"

You MUST realize:

4.1  That every single NEIGHBORHOOD simply MUST have their own trained CERT Teams!!! Who on earth do you think is going to save you if there is an area-wide disaster?  Emergency forces are going to be extremely busy.  It could take days (even weeks, if ever) before they MIGHT be able to assist you.  You are going to be on your own -- with great probability -- depending on the nature of the disaster.

4.2  That with proper training, we can and will be FORCE MULTIPLIERS for professional first-responders -- so that they can do even more -- and FASTER and BETTER.

4.3  That once your neighborhood CERT teams have done their duty toward you, within your immediate surroundings, your team(s) will be very much needed (and hopefully free) to deploy to save MANY others, elsewhere -- as part of the crucial master plan.  And, those other teams might be the very ones to save you and yours, in turn.

4.4  That without the very sensible precaution of doing your civic duty for your loved ones and others who will be in need -- you will know the sad guilt and shame (if you survive) of having put off what should never have been put off.

4.5  That WHEN the hammer falls, and you're unprepared, it's going to be too late to do all the things you will wish you had done -- and SHOULD have done.  AND YOU WILL MAKE AVOIDABLE, DANGEROUS MISTAKES.  Where do you think you live?  Do you seriously think we're somehow immune to catastrophe?  Time to think again, I'd say.

4.6  That the CERT program is a national, highly-developed effort -- not to steal your leisure time -- but to insure that you will have more of it (and much more), after things have been normalized, following a catastrophe.  FIRST THINGS FIRST.  The whole country is waking up -- how can you sleep while all of this is happening around you -- in logical anticipation of the many real threats to do you (and us) great harm?


5.  TRAINING OBJECTIVES & PROVISIONS

5.1  Upon Completion of a MERE 15 or so hours of training, you will, among other things, under the hands of skilled professionals and volunteers:

• Understand our area's basic disaster response plans and organizations
• Understand much of the scope, nature and behavior of disasters -- based on hard experience and careful thought
• Understand exactly what you need to do and how to do it and when -- AND WHAT NOT TO DO
• Understand what equipment you should have at your fingertips
• Understand how and when to safely: fight fires (small ones, before they become uncontrollable), shift heavy objects that are crushing people, enter (and exit) hazardous/suspicious buildings, do the things that first responders need you to do (before, during, and after), communicate with emergency organizations (efficiently) -- and such.
• Be immensely proud and relieved that you are far more ready than you were before -- to help save the precious things that constitute modern existence.
• FOR YOU WILL PROUDLY BE A CERTIFIED DISASTER VOLUNTEER!!!
• AND DON'T WORRY IF YOU CAN'T DO THE STRENUOUS STUFF -- THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF LIGHT WORK TO DO, TOO.

5.2  You will be provided with:

• ID cards (after taking the standard public oath) to identify you to first responders and enable you to enter a disaster scene -- AND TAKE PRESSURE OFF OUR PROFESSIONAL SAVIORS!
• Basic equipment that marks you as a trained volunteer (special vests, helmets, back pack, and so on)
• A comprehensive, well-written operations manual (developed by FEMA)
• ... and more.

6.  IMMINENT COUNTY-WIDE TRAINING SCHEDULES

6.1  As I said before, in a few days, the rare CERT training will commence in East County and in the near future, elsewhere.  The classes should be packed to over-flowing -- should be standing room, only.  Sadly, unless YOU roll up your sleeves (and do what is right) and make the big step, precious seats will be wasted (yet, again).

6.2  Besides, these classes are fascinating, well-designed, thoughtfully-delivered, great fun, and immensely rewarding.  You will be impressed, pleased and much-improved.  And you will get to meet and combine with others who are all so highly dedicated to the public good -- a true privilege -- and we will be just that much more secure.

AND, OF COURSE, THE CLASSES ARE FREE OF CHARGE!

6.3  FOR EAST COUNTY:  At this link, you will see, among other useful things, that classes will start, as follows -- (Five 3-hour sessions over 5 weeks)

• in Pittsburg (Monday, 4/22/13 -- 6:30 to 9:30 -- more or less) and 
• in Brentwood (Thursday, 4/25 -- same times)

6.4  FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTY:  Here is the County website (different from, but inclusive of the above), which contains all the class schedules (and more).

Regardless of where you live, you may attend classes at one location (or a mix of them), 

as your unique circumstances require.

=========

RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED TO DO THEIR CIVIC DUTY!  

Unnecessary delay is unconscionable.  

Ignore this at your (and our) peril!

Dead-seriously yours,

David Nelson

All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

PCJ STRATEGIC APPROACH: Emergency & Disaster Readiness Element

Posted:  3 Apr 13

THIS CITY-JOURNAL's NUMBER ONE JOB!  

(A glimpse at the Master Strategy)

From:  USA.gov
Subj:  Emergency Tech-Readiness
​​

According to The American Red Cross, the Internet - including online news sites and social media platforms - is the third most popular way for Americans to gather emergency information and let their loved ones know they are safe. Make sure you are tech ready during an emergency with these tips from FEMA. You can also get text messages from FEMA sent to your phone. To sign up, text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA). You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 43362 (4FEMA). Text messaging and data rates apply to this service. Learn more about using technology to prepare for disasters and emergencies. End of message MISSION AREA #1 -- PRESERVATION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM:  THE HEART -- Where else? Element 1:  OPERATING IN THE EMERGENCY AND DISASTER READINESS REALM BACKGROUND 1.  Over the months of its existence, this City-Journal (the PCJ) has published a lot (but not nearly enough, YET) of invaluable information to help us prepare for those ABSOLUTELY INEVITABLE moments when life takes those sudden, serious, unfavorable turns -- which it surely WILL, as it always has done -- resulting from acts and omissions by humans and by nature -- in an imperfect world. 2.  You can find much of this vital information scattered throughout, by using this blog's search box and/or the disappearing black tool bar, which hovers at the right scroll bar, by selecting the key words:  "Emergency" and "Disaster."  I hope you will take a look, with pen and paper nearby -- and a determined commitment to take the material seriously. FAST APPROACHING 3.  In future months, as Version 2.0 of the PCJ and it's spin-off systems develop, the information will no longer be scattered. The whole idea of the PCJ is to gather sufficient practical and interesting information (of all types), all in one convenient, enduring place -- so that you can get to it easily and reliably, exactly when wanted -- AND HELP US MONITOR AND DEAL WITH CHANGES (favorable and unfavorable) IN THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT.  The Internet blessing offers enormous hope that we humans will finally adjust, to greatest advantage, our ages-long inter-personal fragmentation -- which so impedes our functioning as a singular, fully optimized living species. NEXT STEP 4.  ONE of the PRODUCTS which I humbly think will ultimately shake-out from all of this will be nothing less than a comprehensive, integrated system of "how-to-and-when" PROCEDURAL MANUALS and web objects for citizens (and/or residents), in their particular territories, to use to better operate, cooperate, and coordinate together, and maintain the social machinery and fabric which concerns them -- in mutually favorable ways. There will be suitable system-linkages provided for smoothly integrating these things into people's normal (and enhanced) life-routines -- where they are most likely to be actualized -- as ever pleases them. A UNIVERSAL, SUPPORTING TRUTH? 5.  Surely, all reasonable people want such as this -- it seems impossible that they wouldn't -- if they understand it -- since you can't do much better for a society (and oneself) than to get all its members pulling together in reasonable, agreeable, and complementary directions.  Who can seriously deny this?  But such a course is hard to see (if it even exists on a wide scale, yet -- which seems not to be the typical case), much less pursue, without it being brought together and presented as a workable, "personalizable" system -- thrown wide open to whatever fine-tuning is needed, by anyone, to make the thing work in their unique situations.  Even if we throw the system out, we can use the lessons learned to create something better, for all eyes will be looking at the same opening door and all minds concentrated on the same task. PUSHING THIS BOULDER UPHILL 6.  This is just a beginning.  We're still in start-up -- and a life-long dream is finally coming to pass.  I've encountered surprising, disruptive, disappointing obstacles, but so far, none that I can't overcome (I believe).  It saddens me that the often unnecessary delays mean that I can't move as quickly as I feel I need to.  But, fate has its own agenda, which often proves wiser than my own -- and that will have to do.  "That's life in the big city," as they say.  And, I suspect that, while troubling and unpleasant, these are, somehow tempering me for the tasks that remain.  Both my doctors and my much beloved wife are forcing me to slow down for a month or so, but I don't think you'll notice -- though every delay is a serious cost and risk. At my stage of life, one often becomes extremely conscious of their own mortality -- which induces an added sense of urgency to get things done in time -- especially when failure may be costly to many.  Time is often the best doctor, but the patient always dies in the end. And for me, in my twilight years, all of this is a "now or never" proposition -- and the project is of a nature which MUST be performed and tested in public -- even though it's quite uncomfortable to expose one's soul and most cherished beliefs to the rough handling and testing this journey promises -- for it renders the serenity, which is so essential to concentration, into a scarce and elusive thing.  But, everyone bears a "cross." This happens to be mine -- so who's complaining? ON A WIDER LEVEL WE THE PEOPLE 7.  We are all busy doing our best to achieve whatever life has "assigned" and equipped us to do. I know this to be true, in the cases where reason prevails -- as it usually does, when freedom is present -- and where good will, reliable information, and adequate resources are available -- as they often are. The beauty of the whole thing (in my opinion) is that, by working -- individually and together -- AND METHODICALLY -- to make the best of ourselves and our circumstances, we automatically help the whole grand scheme of things.  I find a lot of truth in Adam Smith's beautiful "invisible hand" concept. THE POWER IN OUR GRASP -- UNITY OF SPIRIT 8.  We need for each and every individual, family, neighborhood, business (profit-seeking and non), government level, society, civilization and humankind, as a whole, to do their parts.  None of us can go it alone for very long -- nor should we even waste ourselves in the attempt.  WE ARE ALL INDISPENSABLE PARTS OF ONE GREAT INTERRELATED THING -- fundamental system-units in a powerful system-of-systems -- pursuing the greatest good. GOOD SEEDS, FERTILE SOIL 9.  In my experience, it seems that the greatest rewards in this life stem from doing good service for others -- and surely, the greatest happiness stems from seeing to the happiness in others.  It further seems reasonable to posit that the greatest level of security is only attainable when ALL are secure.  And, I think that's absolutely grand. Therefore, it also seems reasonable to suggest to all (self included), to: Do your best, as individuals and families, to survive and prosper -- so that (among many other things) when disaster strikes, you can do much on your own, without drawing down on scarce common resources -- and so you will be strong, knowledgeable, and equipped well enough to pitch-in, effectively, on behalf of those who will surely need you. Do your best, as neighbors, to do all the wonderful, needful things that would be impossible or difficult to do as individuals, families, and small groups.  Besides, there is a lot of joy to be found there -- for neighbors are (or can be) a very special class of friend.  EVERY SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD (everywhere!) needs to be organized, around good sense, and to operate methodically, at the grass roots (where every single one of us resides), for us to truly flourish as well as such a great and literate people surely can -- when proper (and, yes, loving) arrangements have been made, both in advance and on the run -- but always, together. Do your best, in cheerful partnership, with the overworked, under-resourced government levels that strive so hard -- and succeed so well, but have so much left to do. Be the best employer or employee possible -- productive humans, all -- doing honorable work-- so that the world's goodness inventory only increases, to squeeze out the evils that still abound -- as humankind, in its many social forms, continues the centuries-long (even millennial)  process (and struggle) of healthfully maturing toward fulfillment of the greatest of this great species' promises. Count our blessings for existing at such a glorious moment in this remarkable human adventure -- and the lucky privilege of being integral to the great, human chain-reaction.  For we all matter, big-time -- and that is undeniable.  The waste of any one of us is a setback for all. PRACTICALITIES --  TURNING THEORY INTO ACTION But, it would never do to merely suggest all of this without offering carefully thought-out, practical, adaptable, and easily do-able methods and systems for actually doing so -- to be constantly refined in light of ever-growing collective knowledge and wisdom -- and those methods and systems are coming -- using the PCJ (and spin-off systems) as the development and delivery vehicles -- as the system-building tools!!! The Entire-Lifetime Management Systems (ELMS) Under Construction:  The Mentor Enterprises / ELMS Unless fate is playing terrible tricks on me, I believe that the TOTAL circumstances of my 6.4 decades on this earth have positioned me to see a vision of what truly can be and have equipped me to make a serious attempt at bringing it to pass -- or, at least, to get this particular chain-reaction started.  Not alone, but as a catalyst, among many catalysts. I believe that, with this PCJ (and quite a few other things coming into play, faster and faster) as a beginning, I/WE can (and, therefore MUST) do much to help individuals, families, and neighborhoods to mobilize and sustain an effective, happy, and fruitful partnership with EACH OTHER and with ALL the other social systems that are doing so much, already -- for the best of possible outcomes. I believe that there has long existed a "structural gap" between us, at the grass roots, and the rest of the social systems that have built-up through much blood, sweat, and tears, into daunting, yet brilliant, complexity. It's time to close that gap, and I believe I see a way FOR US to do it.  The Internet was the missing ingredient.   It has changed the entire ball game.  We truly do stand on the shoulders of all who came before -- greatly aided by those, of good will, who are moving us all forward, even now -- as we and they write our own chapter of human history.   I will explain more, as I tame the enormous complexities involved, to try to give you a cogent, thorough, defensible, and convincing (I hope) statement (and demonstration) which will reveal to your eyes and hearts what is so clear to my own.  Stand by. Respectfully yours, David Nelson Unattainable perfection is not the main thing.  Earnest pursuit of it is.  For this is what makes the most sense toward the truest, surest betterment of a flawed, yet priceless existence.  I seek to be superior to NO fellow human -- only to what I was, yesterday -- and to help leave this fabulous world and life adventure even better than we found them. All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent:  You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

52 Disaster Tactics: SURVIVE ANYTHING!! Popular Mechanics -- 4/13

Posted:  21 Mar 13

Purpose

To be sure you're aware of the latest edition of Popular Mechanics magazine and an extremely helpful 10-page DISASTER READINESS article there, from page 54 of the printed version.  And, of course, there are all sorts of digital versions -- plus an incredible array of other useful mobile apps.


Background

I just received my latest copy of the printed version and this caught my immediate attention.  As usual, it's well-written and -organized, and is filled with practical tips that could make all the difference -- about disasters and much else.  In this hazardous world, this is something NOT to be missed.

I investigated to see what was available for free and if they made this particular material available on-line.  It is available for a very reasonable fee -- they are a business, after all.  And, considering all the pleasure and practical knowledge they regularly provide, a subscription is worth many, many times the cost.  I've been a happy subscriber for years (most of my life, from childhood).

At least, pick up this issue


Useful Links, etc.

Here's a Google search link to see the various writings about the magazine
You may visit the site at this link to see tons of stories, including other disaster writings
You may visit their Facebook page at this link


You may enroll as a member of the site for free
You may subscribe to the various editions and formats at a tremendous savings

It's hard to think of a better nor more timely investment -- well, kinda hard.

David Nelson

All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

EMERGENCY PLAN: PRIVATE: ALL Emergencies

... because a personal or area disaster 

can ruin your whole day... at the very least!

MAKING THE CASE,
GETTING OUR MINDS RIGHT FOR THE TASK, 
and then some tools for doing a good job!

1.  Purposes

To place important life-saving and property-saving information at your ready disposal, without delaying to prepare a comprehensive "how-to" guide, when so many already exist -- and which merely need to be made known to you.  

Also, the presence of this "information accumulator" in a daily blog, might be a helpful reminder, over the normal course of day-to-day life (gently nagging you, I suppose) -- until it's firmly positioned on your priority list -- then, a "done deal" -- and, one of life's big victories over the very unfavorable, too real, possibilities!

First, this article tries to "make a reasonable case to you," for not putting off dealing with this very "high-stakes" matter, too long -- leading to great and highly avoidable misfortune and sadness.  Then, the practical link-list follows.

2.  Background

2.1  We all know that there are things we should be doing, in anticipation of some sudden, dreadful event which can ruin our days, and much more, besides.  We've all heard the warnings to stock up on food, water, skills, keep the gas tanks full, and do all sorts of other needful things -- IN ADVANCE (remember the natural wisdom embodied in squirrels and ants, ahead of winter).

2.2  We've seen, often in lurid detail, many of the major things that can go wrong in this world -- epochal Hurricanes (e.g. Katrina) and other spectacular atmospheric disturbances, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Fire Storms, Terrorist Insanities, Civil Unrest, Power Failures, Pollution Disasters, Levy Breaches, Dam Breaks, Floods, Landslides, and so on -- always with extremely bad timing and nasty human impacts -- monumental things that can grind human life and its "toys" out of existence -- or  deny them to us, for a time, with great unpleasantness.

And, who's to say that something completely novel in all human experience could not show up on the list?  One thing is reasonably certain, life (if it continues) will never be quite the same, from the instant the hammer falls, onward.

2.3  Area disasters will probably mean delays in professional emergency responses -- but, thanks to citizen volunteers (not nearly enough, yet), the response might be quicker than otherwise (fingers and toes crossed) -- but still might not be soon enough to suit many.

Prepare for "stone age" conditions for days, if not more (all by your lonesome) -- with limited links to the outside world, for assistance and comfort.  In times like this, if not before, you're going to be mighty glad you took the time to meet and develop that special class of friendship -- which belongs to neighbors, alone.

2.4  And, thankfully, almost all of us are rational beings, meaning WE ALWAYS strive to be reasonable, doing the very best we can, as circumstances permit -- including, striving to KNOW what is best to do, in time for it to matter -- especially when reminded enough (since modern life is an extremely busy undertaking, forcing hard choices AND FORGETFULNESS on us, at times).

2.5  So, EXACTLY WHAT rational things should we be doing ahead of time?  How can we afford to do those things well, without busting a limited budget?  How can we even store all the things we know we'll need?  Lots of questions.  But, wait!  There are also lots of answers -- the accumulated wisdom of hard experience and expert advice -- and  yes, because of the human instinct or wise and deliberate determination, in many (me, included), to LOVE fellow humans, merely because they ARE and because life is far better, far richer, FAR SURER, this way.

2.6  That's the place to start.  Get the knowledge -- SO AS TO NEVER FORGET IT, AGAIN -- and USE it and SHARE it -- for this will give you ENORMOUS ADVANTAGES (and we're going to need every advantage we can get, to stay on our feet, where we belong). 

2.7  You might be pleasantly surprised -- you may be closer than you think -- but, then,  you might be farther.  And, whatever's left to do, might (if the clock permits) be done, a little at a time -- which is far better than doing nothing at all -- and being taken completely by surprise and being caught flat-footed -- though, such a compromise is very risky, as should be clear to all.

3.  And that is the function of this page.  

3.1  To give you convenient access to the knowledge, by accumulating good site-links which you can more easily explore (and re-explore and re-re-explore) -- with pencil in hand -- to reap the knowledge -- until it's clear and fixed inside your brain -- and on the way to becoming a peace-of-mind, wide-open-eyed reality.

3.2  I'll keep adding to the list, as circumstances permit, but I think you'll like these, to start -- and if you'd like to recommend some, please feel free to comment, below.

3.3  Begin, at once, to follow the advice.  A little at a time, if need be, but continuously.  Fate just might wait, if you don't tempt it too much -- though sooner is much better than later (or too late), don't you agree?

Make a good plan and firmly resolve to practice and refine it, regularly -- you may be breaking habits (or non-habits), years in the making -- and surely, will be creating new ones -- and this requires persistent repetition.

Help is soon coming -- to assist ANY AND ALL neighborhoods and individuals and families -- WITH GREAT SPECIFICITY and SUFFICIENCY -- "to get off the dime" (and stay off of it, permanently), if they need such help.  Stand by -- it's almost in my grasp, now, and, as soon as possible, within yours -- but please, don't wait for me in something so grave and urgent.

4.  To begin -- a burst of energy and a hunger for knowledge!  

4.1  Take the time to really VISUALIZE what disasters are like, in detail.  Understand what people go through and what they have to do to recover; the mistakes they make and the brilliance (and courage) they show us, when the chips are down.  The goal is to STRONGLY convince ourselves to act -- and give more hope, certainty, and resolve -- to replace fairy tales, magic wands, wishful thinking, or careless non-thought.

4.2  Right off the top, we know that we will ALWAYS need on hand the essentials we might not be able to buy, the instant we most need them -- such as enough (and what is enough?) water and food (in that order); (don't forget the pets); gasoline (don't leave gas tanks less than half full -- ever -- if humanly possible); first aid supplies; medicines; batteries; fire lighters and fire extinguishers; READY CASH (ATM's could fail); and more.

We need to think about communicating and exactly how to get the family back together, if disaster strikes when they are scattered around the territory.  Just imagine how much worse a disaster can be, not knowing about the well-being of loved ones, out of view.  Oh, there's a lot to this -- but the stakes couldn't be higher

Whatever you do, don't be intimidated by the size of this task.  Break it all down into chunks of do-able things -- then do them -- a chunk at a time -- once done, all you'll have to do is maintain them -- and that's a "piece of cake."  This will be one of the BEST INVESTMENTS in your ENTIRE, prolonged life.

4.3  Admittedly, the list is detailed (as it should be) -- for there will be little consolation if we leave something out and end up slapping our foreheads in chagrin -- and trying to survive on shoe leather, grass, and toilet water -- and, among some who may not be on their best behavior.  We might even lose access to our very homes.  How would we shelter under such circumstances?  There are answers.

4.4  One thing that keeps coming up in the literature -- you would do well to involve the whole family or partnership team in this.  To teach them what to do (and how) and to get their ideas and enthusiastic participation.  It'll make this job more pleasant (and easier) if they are involved and it will turn them into more effective allies -- and, you're going to need all the knowledgeable help you can get.

You might watch the YouTube videos (below), together among families and partners (some videos have "sound gaps," or other little flaws, but the main ideas are still there and useful and easier to visualize and grasp, than reading, alone -- and helps things sink in -- less likely to be overlooked or misunderstood or underestimated).

4.5  Consider, too, that your planning and good luck will likely serve you well, but your poor NEIGHBORS (near and distant) may not be so fortunate or forward-looking.  Good neighborhood planning will save even more lives and property (yours and theirs) -- so, get to know each other -- start talking.

A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT TALKS AND GROWS TOGETHER, can THINK and DO reasonable things together.  Future articles (and systems) will address all these matters, but meanwhile, please make those introductions, start talking, planning, gearing-up, and practicing.  Help is on the way, but this part, we must each do, ourselves.

4.6  COMMUNITY RESPONSE -- Nothing, short of the real thing, beats forethought, personal study, formalized training, and rehearsals.  The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is how communities, all over the nation, are preparing themselves, in depth.  (But, family emergency planning is still your ball game). 

Volunteers undergo 5 training sessions that turn them into disaster workers who aid "first responders," enormously.

Over a year, area disaster exercises are held, to hone skills and work out "bugs."  Citizens are needed to volunteer to act as "victims," helping the training of CERT members and SEEING, for themselves, what to expect and do.  

With such practice, knowledge can spread, even more, to help perfect family and neighborhood plans, too.  And, all knowledge is key.  So, watch for these exercises and join in on the practice, (as victims, saviors, or both) so that we can all win, as much as possible

SERIOUSLY CONSIDER JOINING 

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

• Nationally
• Locally (East Contra Costa County)

Right now, here in lovely Pittsburg, there are about 270 volunteers covering a City of around 65,000 (one volunteer per 240 persons makes for a very busy volunteer -- so it's quite clear where our duty lies -- therefore, sign up, with a will).

4.7  AND PLEASE PASS THE WORD ABOUT THIS ARTICLE -- far and wide -- to friends, neighbors, co-workers, everyone you can think of.  

The URL (web address) for this blog is, admittedly, awkward.  This entire blog started out as something different, my own neighborhood's external monitor, where the choice of URL made sense.

  Now, since this is an active and fast-evolving blog, seeking to serve ever-more fellow humans, it's incredibly complicated to keep revising the name (as well as the URL) to better suit its ever-expanding functions.   

In time, access will be by easy "push-button," once it has been integrated into the larger systems, under construction.  

So, for now, once you find us, please "bookmark" us, so you can find us again.  

Sorry for this temporary inconvenience.

4.8  Now, let's take a look at some of the concepts and details.  Good luck to us all.

5.  THE LINK-LIST 

GOAL:  KNOWLEDGE, KNOWLEDGE, KNOWLEDGE

Disasters (Google search)
Disasters (Google search for Wikipedia discussions)
Visualizing Disasters (Google search)
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS VIDEOS (YouTube)

Family Survival Planning
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Make a Plan (FEMA's Ready.gov)
Family Emergency Planning Software (Google search)
Family Emergency Supplies (Google search)

First Aid Links are on the "Quick Access" page of this blog

Barnes and Noble AND Amazon.com offer hard copy and electronic reader (Kindle and Nook) versions of Family Emergency Manuals for sale ($10 to $30 range).  Don't forget other book sellers and the priceless public libraries... and on-line publications (free and paid).

Much more to follow... this is a work in progress
... new material will be added, from time to time
till no more needs saying.  The concepts in this article (and far more and in greater detail) will be rolled into actual, more concise, convenient, and comprehensive work-systems for you to adopt (or reject or help refine), ASAP...

so check back often.

David Nelson

All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprise / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as its free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

DISASTER READINESS: Hurricane Sandy

First posted: 26 Oct 12

1.  Purpose

To impart crucial information concerning personal readiness for Hurricane Sandy, currently threatening the east coast.

2.  Because

• People here, with relatives and other east coast contacts, may be able to offer practical support, based on the information provided in this article.
• It is undeniable that a disaster in one part of the country tends to affect us all, directly and indirectly.
• Besides, valuable object lessons are contained in disaster episodes, anywhere, which can be applied to meet other disasters more intelligently.  
• Regardless of the agency of the disaster (hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, fire storm, etc), many lessons can be used to increase readiness insights elsewhere.  
• Thus, this article seizes the chance to present relevant information for local consideration -- to better prepare us for our own potential "disaster-set."
• Furthermore, at least in theory, we may not be immune to "super-storms" in the western region (see the blog article on ARKStorms).

3.  Background

This afternoon, the following message was received from the U.S. Government:

• Hurricane Sandy is moving up the eastern coast of the United States. 
• Learn how to prepare for the storm by visiting Ready.gov.
• Follow the instructions from your state and local emergency management officials.
• Use the National Hurricane Center's mobile website to track the storm on your mobile device.

Other salient national, state and local information is contained in:

• US:  the Wikipedia discussion of "Emergency Management."
• US:  the website for the "National Hurricane Center."
• CA:  the website for the "California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA)"
• SFBA:  the About.com listing of "San Francisco BAY AREA Emergency and Disaster Resources"
• CCC:  the website for the "Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services (OES)"
• ECCC:  the website for "East Contra Costa County CERT Program"
• PB:  the website for the "City of Pittsburg Emergency Readiness / CERT Program"

4.  Requested Action

• Please send a link to this article, as appropriate, toward the east coast.
• Please take a moment to examine the links and see if they can provide you with relevant information of which you may be unaware.
• Please help this blog's readership grow, because...  

5.  A Future Vision

Over the near-term, this blog is planned to be used as a knowledge-vehicle to help individuals, families, and neighborhoods to (among other practical things) better organize themselves:

• so as to methodically anticipate, prepare for, confront, endure, and recover from environmental hazards...
• in order to help prolong their continued and healthy existence... 
• aided by their better coordination with each other and with the efforts of government and other pertinent social entities.  

• For this vehicle to be truly effective, a significant proportion of the local population must be made aware of and regularly monitor this deliberately evolving blog -- and other emerging systems (which will also be introduced by this "vehicle").  
• Simultaneously, we can share what we build, as we build it, with the rest of our world, to be adapted to suit unique conditions.

• Maximum momentum build-up in readership growth is considered to be essential.  When our populations can be reached, with regularity, all the many public service entities will have this very same vehicle (this blog sub-system and future others) available as a means to keep us even better informed.  They will be able to reach us, almost instantaneously.
• Without strong momentum, communication and resource gaps will be too wide to readily overcome within a reasonable time-frame.
• In my humble opinion, there still exist many "gaps" to be closed between us "ordinary" citizens and the larger social systems designed to use the authority and resources we provide, to enable those systems to function and optimize themselves toward even better days ahead.  Those gaps can and will close with determination,  reason, time, and good will.

Thank you

All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

SENATOR BOXER: Hurricane Sandy & How We Can Help From Here

Posted: 30 Oct 12

ABOUT THE SENATOR CONSTITUENT SERVICES ISSUES & LEGISLATION PRESS CONTACT - - - - - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA - - - - - October 30, 2012 Dear Friend: Today our thoughts are with all the victims of Hurricane Sandy and the first responders bravely working night and day to help them. We Californians know all too well what it means to be struck by a natural disaster - and we know how grateful we have been when our fellow Americans have come to our aid after earthquakes, fires, and floods. Now, in the wake of this terrible storm, many Californians are asking what they can do to help.  For information on how you can provide assistance to disaster relief organizations, please click here. Sincerely, Barbara Boxer United States Senator

1 - DISASTER PREPAREDNESS -- Personal Transport

28 Sep 2012  

DISASTER Preparedness 

Keep those gas tanks at least HALF-FULL at all times!

1. PROBLEM

This is kind of a tough one, I know -- time, cash-flow, other hassles.

• Yet, think about it, please. In an area disaster, gas stations can lose electrical power and thus, can't sell you gas -- probably when you most need it -- AND THERE WILL BE LONG, LONG LINES OF AGITATED PEOPLE -- not necessarily on their best behavior.

• When the bad times hit, you don't want to be trapped for want of fuel. 

• Also, during those desperate times, people are known to STEAL fuel, so a locking gas cap isn't a bad idea, either.

2. A WAY TO LOOK AT IT:

One way that helps me (for this tip is a hassle in real life) is to THINK of the bottom half of my tank as "MY RESERVE." When I enter that risk-area, that is my alarm bell -- and I remain uncomfortable until I go and top off -- then I think, "Ahhh."


3. THIS IS NOT MY OWN IDEA

It's one of the tips you can find in many disaster preparedness resources (which you also might wish to explore as completely as you can, sooner is best).

If you search this blog, you will find more things to think about, BEFORE the DEFINITELY-COMING bad day scrambles things for you.  I have something in the works that will make all this planning easier for you, but meanwhile ...

You know the old saying: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."



All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

EMERGENCY PLAN: PRIVATE: Food

1.  Purposes

• To give you an organized starting point for your emergency planning, in anticipation of sudden disruptions in the public food supply.
• To accumulate topics and discussions to aid development of thoughts, facts, and procedures -- for later incorporation into MENTOR / Entire-Lifetime Management Systems (ELMS), under construction.  

2.  Sources (Google Searches)

• Emergency Food
• Emergency Food Supply
• Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's)
• Emergency Food Storage

3.  What various authorities have to say about emergency food

• Survival Kits (Wikipedia)
• Emergency Food Storage (Wikidot)

4.  An extra

• Disaster Preparedness in the United States

5.  Related topics elsewhere in this blog

• Family Survival Planning (all emergencies)
• Emergency Drinking Water
• CERT DISASTER TRAINING SUMMARY ~ 3/5/12 ~~ DAY No. 1
• CERT DISASTER TRAINING SUMMARY ~ 3/12/12 ~ DAY No. 2
• BASIC "CERT" DISASTER APPROACH
• DISASTERS -- "ARkStorm," The More You Know, The Better
• City of Pittsburg: Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test

6.  AND DON'T FORGET THE "QUICK ACCESS LINKS" PAGE, which includes, among other useful resources, web-links to: 

• First Aid, 
• Non-Emergency Fire and Policing, 
• Disaster Preparedness, 
• State Service-Directories, 
• The Political Leadership and 
• The City's Public Administration 

-- All to assist your preparations.

More relevant information will be placed here, as it is acquired.

Tag: "Disaster Readiness," " Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)"

All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as its free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

BE A DISASTER VOLUNTEER -- BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE -- Starts, September 17

CERT

Community Emergency Response Team

2012 - 2013 EAST COUNTY CERT TRAINING

September 2012 -- Pittsburg

March 2013 -- Brentwood

1.  Sponsors:

• The Brentwood Police Department
• The Pittsburg Police Department
• The Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services
• The Contra Costa Consolidated Fire Department
• The Pittsburg "Community Advisory Commission"

2.  Special Request:  All public and private institutions are encouraged to make this vital public service known to all constituents in reach and urge their involvement.  We need all the disaster workers we can get -- as soon as humanly possible.  The clock is ticking.

3.  For Whom:
East Contra Costa County Residents and for the people among whom they live.

4.  What:
Free classes, one session per week, for 6 weeks (first-time or refresher training).

5.  Where & When: (attend either class, both, or combination)

• 2012:  Pittsburg, Delta-Hawaii Center, 875 Stoneman Road -- 6:30 to 9:30 pm ---
  Mondays, for the 6-week period:  September 17, 24, and October 1, 8, 15, and 22.

• 2013:  Brentwood Police Building, 9100 Brentwood Blvd --  6:30 to 9:30 pm ---
  Thursdays, for the 6-week period:  March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4 and 11 

6.  How:

• Register and attend classes at either or both locations.  
• All 6 classes must be attended for official certification.

7.  Registration:

• ON-LINE:  www.eastcountycert.webs.com
• EMAIL:  "I want to attend (give name, address, phone number and class location)."  Send to: EastCountyCert@aol.com
• PHONE: (925) 698-7533

8.  For more information:  (the first 3 links, below, are from previous blog posts, here)

• CERT Disaster Training Summary, Day One, previous session, 3/5/12
• CERT Disaster Training Summary, Day Two, previous session, 3/12/12
• Basic CERT Disaster Approach
• CERT Basic Training Participant Manual (free copy & equipment issued during training)

CERT DISASTER TRAINING SUMMARY ~ 3/5/12 ~~ DAY No. 1

If you would like more details, 

please see My 2/27/12 posting on this blog, entitled, 

"Urgent!!! CERT Class Schedule Up-Date" 

A.  Definition:  CERT = COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM  

B.  Purpose

• To help you to better visualize what CERT training is like (fascinating and so practical), by giving a glimpse into the first session, just conducted, this Monday, past.
• To show how and why first-reponders rely, so heavily, on qualified volunteerism.
• To help you see the high training quality so you can better understand how VITAL a public service CERT truly is, and how seriously it is taken, within every state – and how absolutely no time was wasted.

It was noted that there are IMPORTANT jobs for CERT members, of ALL AGES and PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

 Those who can't handle strenuous physical work can help with the various administrative tasks -- so crucial in insuring smooth and efficient cooperation -- with professional and volunteer emergency forces.

C.  Scope of this report  Summarizes the first 75% of the entire class-period.   

E.  Limitations

• This report is based on my rough notes, hastily written, strictly to give a general “feel.”  Could have some errors due to “mis-hearing” or inability to read some of my scrawl or faulty memory.
• Stopped taking notes toward the end, as this class was mainly an overview to show what the coming weeks will be like, and ground was covered fast, but well.  Had to give up (tired writing-hand).

 

F.  Class Setting and Duration

• Location:  “Delta Hawaii” Mobile Home Park, 875 Stoneman Avenue, a few blocks east of Harbor Street, Pittsburg
• City-wide Reputation of Delta Hawaii:  Extremely high, famous – very active, internally and highly committed, for years, to public-service, externally.   Supremely organized and focused "neighborhood of neighborhoods."  Residents very involved in doing good for themselves and City.  Obviously well managed, managers, Will and Cindi WIlliams.  Well done, again, super-citizens all and thank you!
• Building:  Large, comfortable meeting hall in attractive multi-purpose office facility
• Parking: More-than-ample parking near building, with over-flow less than one block away, on-street, but not needed for even an event as large as this was.
• Duration:  Blazingly-fast +2.5 hours
• Attendance: Approx 60
• Class Attitudes:  VERY READY TO LEARN:  Cheerful; serious -- fully appreciated reasons for being there; attentive; participative; enthusiastic; appreciative of instruction quality; relaxed; eyes wide-open (despite long work days prior), nice and friendly -- we're going to be working together for a long time and this was a fantastic start.

G.  Comfort

• Food:  Huge selection of goodies -- variety of muffins, cookies, munchies.
• Beverage:  Delicious Coffee (caffeine and non-) and bottled water (not sure about sodas)
• Future snacks:  Class was divided into four numbered groups, each will have a turn in providing snacks, for their assigned week number.  First and final weeks, "on the house," so to speak, with pizza, etc. during the closing celebration.
• Tables: 8-to-10 person, utility type, approximately 10 total -- much surrounding space remaining.  Comfortable seating.
• VIsibility and Audibility:  No problem seeing projector screen or hearing presentation
• Questions:  Allowed; answered thoroughly, but minimized, due to amount of material to be covered

H.  Organization

• Leader:  Community Advisory Commissioner Theresa Miller; highly-respected Community leader and volunteer, for years; has perfected putting on these events; very involved in promoting CERT at events such as Seafood Festival, etc.; and awesome behind-the-scenes workload.  Thanks so much, Theresa, for another masterful job.
• Staff:  Volunteer advanced CERT-qualified-instructors; Representative Scott for Dow Chemical; First-responders, including EMT, Carole Dooley; not sure of the rest, yet.
• Quality of Instruction:  Superb, professional, polished, logical, clear, effective, stimulating, high readiness to teach; good voices, enthusiasm, gestures and attitudes

I.  Training Purposes, Priorities and Scope

• Goal:  Fast overview of CERT philosophy and procedures; deeper coverage in subsequent weeks
• Documents: only essential administrative stuff this week, manual to be permanently provided to students, next week
• Thoroughly explored at least 18 types of disasters to anticipate and prepare for
• Attendance:  Students, very sensibly, must attend every class in order to certify

J.  General “Lesson” Sequence

1. Completion of Forms:  4 or 5 forms – legal and liability requirements; I.D. cards certifying qualifications and authorization to help with disaster responses (issued on completion of training).
2. Publication Hand-out:  USGS magazine: "Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country"
3. Introduction and supplementary info, throughout, by Commissioner Miller
4. SWEARING IN:  All new members took the standard oath to protect and defend the US and California Constitutions -- right hands raised.
5. The general meaning, nature and approach to disasters, at all gov’t levels
6. Dow Chemical presentation: describing careful security processes; general disaster psychology and personal protection concepts; over-arching internal Dow goal: Zero hazardous releases, systematically assured and totally effective, thus far.
   
7. More by other presenters:  but I had lost control of my notes as I became totally immersed in my fascination with the whole thing.

K.  Special “team-building” exercise

• Scenario:  Imagine Large apartment complex, with busy swimming pool, lots of people around == then earthquake hits
• Task:  What do we think we should do before, during, and after the event?
• Class divided into four temporary groups:  to discuss one phase, each.  Leader and secretary were selected by group members; then group brainstorming and note taking for 10 minutes or so; then leaders reported groups' ideas to class -- where more ideas surfaced; instructors then threw out even more “food for thought.”

L.  Some of the Key Points Covered

1. CERT members must FIRST secure own survival and family situation – can’t be effective and focused, if hurt or worried about other concerns
2. OVERRIDING CERT PRINCIPLE – “the greatest good for the greatest number of people”  Lessen the terrible effects of disasters on victims and infrastructure.
3. INEVITABILITY - Disasters are always happening somewhere in California and beyond
4. GENERAL INTENDED SCOPE OF TRAINING: All sorts of techniques – firefighting; search and rescue and recovery; trapped victims; much more.
5. COUNTY ALERT SYSTEM:  Siren sounds at 11:00 am, first Wednesday of every month – all other times are “for real.”  [Sensitize self to hear it, no matter what.]
6. PROFESSIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS:  Likely to be  severely overwhelmed and in need of well-trained CERT assistance.
7. BASIC  EQUIPMENT: PROVIDED UPON CERTIFICATION: Basic emergency kit includes: helmets, bright vests, knap sack to keep things instantly ready; etc. – details at later class
8. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: PROVIDED BY EACH MEMBER -- Scarce funds preclude government purchase here– member support needed to supply self, reasonably. Includes: (thoroughness, strongly-urged) emergency equipment for homes, cars, work place, etc; and sensible supplementary equipment guidelines.
9. CRUCIAL COMMUNICATION PRECAUTIONS: (1) RADIOS: Each member MUST keep a reliable emergency RADIO handy, to stay informed, by public broadcast, on fast-changing developments -- anyone is virtually powerless, if link to larger world is broken. (2) FAMILY-COMMUNICATION PRECAUTION:  Because communications maybe disrupted (but out-of-state cell phone service may still be available), arrange for an out-of-state contact, so separated family members can still communicate with one another, through distant helpful coordination support.
10. OTHER IMPACTS OF DISASTERS ON DAILY LIFE:  Loss of utilities, like water, electrical power (No computers? No Google?? YIKES!), gas hazards, damage to property and infrastructure (roads, bridges, homes, etc); creation of traffic jams to delay emergency responses AND re-union of scattered families; telephone, radio and TV; loss of home-access (permanent or temporary); RUINATION OF LIFE; and more.
11. TYPES OF TERROR / TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS (“CBRNE”) COVERED:

• Chemical
• Biological
• Radiological
• Nuclear
• High-Yield Explosives (non-nuclear)

M.  Other Key Points (until my note-taking ended, then reliance only on my recollections):

1. Public institutions and responsibilities:  Federal, State, County, Local, [neighborhoods, and every able citizen].
2. Community Leaders:  all morally responsible to be trained and to promote the same, widely.  Need to involve WHOLE community.
3. Organized neighborhoods:  Crucial to insure best responses
4. Emergency kits: for home, cars, pets, work-place
5. Some Necessary Protective CERT equipment: helmet, googles, N96 mask, sturdy shoes – and more
6. Emergency Food Management at home: Refresh emergency food and water supply:  every 3 months, then recycle or consume replaced items; Write expiration date on all food packages; Choose only food you enjoy and will want to eat – for morale and energy; Precaution:  have enough to survive 7 days without resupply; Water: absolutely essential to have plenty – death from water deprivation will happen long before starvation will kill.
7. Police Service Availability and Response: Will be limited or virtually non-existent -- for up to a week.  I image National Guard will supplement then, if not before, if needed; but full police restoration likely within 7 days.
8. Dow Chemical Corporation (local): One of best safety records in entire industry; Produces fertilizer for California agriculture along nearby Great Valley; Absolutely no Ammonium Nitrate on the facilities; Constantly engaged in capital improvements to keep pace with advancing “state of the art” in safety and security;  Dow's Alert system: one speaker pointed at river, for boaters; one speaker pointed at nearby community; internal Klaxons for employees
9. Terrorism – in depth discussion
10. Disaster Psychology: How do people react during disaster? What are their psychological needs?  What to do to help people, psychologically?
11. Missing Person Searches:  CERT often provides human-power to help with police searches.  [I don't think this was said, but I presume CERT provides a ready human-power pool for other events that over-tax emergency-force capacity -- but that's just my speculation, for now]

N.  Other Interesting Tips and Information

• Size of Current Pittsburg CERT-staff: 
  270 volunteers for 60,000 of us
  --- that's 4-thousandth of  1% of us
  --- that's 1 person out of 222.
  --- obviously, "we're gonna need a bigger boat."
• Consider giving emergency kits for Holiday Season
• Have a buddy-system with at least one other person
• Disaster will delay government service response:  Consider normal congestion on Highway 4 -- so, imagine what it would be like during disasters; few alternatives to the State highways; need to allow for this, as possible -- think ahead.
• Interpreting Richter Scale
• And more -- to be learned in subsequent week and reinforced by practical training demonstrations and exercises.

O.  Next week:   FIRE SUPPRESSION 

P.  Future Summaries:  Not sure I can keep this up, but I'll try..

Q.  Overall Personal Impressions:  

• Total Quality:  Extraordinary!  I can hardly wait for next and subsequent weeks – immensely important work, extremely well-done – much to know – periodic practice exercises, throughout the year, are vital for keeping knowledge fresh -- and to deepen relationships and coordination among fellow team members.  Not a second was wasted – brilliantly planned and conducted.  Not even close to being disappointed about a single thing.
• Only two TINY suggestions for possible improvement:  (1) I wish we had been issued lesson hand-outs to allow us to follow along during each presentation -- and to remember, long after --  I also think such pages could have reduced inefficiencies and bequeathed  to us, quality notes, long worth keeping -- while allowing us to better focus on listening rather than writing.  But, that's presuming Training Staff has the manpower and time to deal with this, when so many other things need doing.  A small price for us to pay for their great, good deeds.
  (2)  Name tags are such a blessing at things like this and help speed up the "getting-acquainted" process.  But, presumably, these incur cost and must compete with alternative uses for scarce funds.   Besides, this is merely a trivial polishing of perfection.

Respectfully submitted,
David Nelson

All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprise / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT I hereby FORFEIT THOSE RIGHTS, in this case. You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it is distributed, free of charge, unaltered in any way, and you include this statement. Thanks.