GettingGetting ReadyReady PC-NET’s guide to Personal & Neighborhood Preparedness The original neighborhood preparedness model utilized for this program comes from the City of Seattle’s SDART curricu- lum written by LuAn Johnson, PhD, and FEMA’s CERT pro- gram. These combined curricula provide PC-NET with a comprehensive neighborhood preparedness program. PC-NET 2004 PC-NET’s Mission Statement The Pierce County Depart- ment of Emergency Man- agement is proud to sponsor the Pierce County Neighbor- hood Emergency Team (PC-NET) program. This program is offered through- out Pierce County and is de- signed to provide citizens with the skills, knowledge and tools to be able to re- spond to an emergency in their own neighborhoods. While we recognize our vulnerability to many hazards in our area, our primary natural hazard in the Puget Sound is major earthquakes. Consequently, our focus is direct- ed toward preparing for a major earthquake. If we learn to respond to earthquakes that happen without warning, we feel we can respond to most any disaster. Pierce County Neighborhood Emergency Teams - neighbors helping neighbors - is but part of the story. When emergency capabilities become overwhelmed, by default the citizens in the neighborhood become the first responders. PC-NET provides the training and uses a team building process to take the skills, abilities and ca- pabilities of residents and matches them to one of six re- sponse teams. Teams train to respond using tabletop exercises as well as functional drills. An additional com- ponent to this program is the Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) program. This is the Homeland Security, Crime Prevention piece that is presented by a Crime Prevention Specialist from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. This program is tailor made to address the concerns of the individual neighborhood. We congratulate you for choosing to be a part of the PC-NET program in your community. Your commitment to your family and neighbors shows you wish to make a difference in your community. It's fun, it's easy and very rewarding. PC-NET 2004 Personal and Home Disaster Preparedness 1st 12th disaster structural plan 2nd preparedness 11th water garage & storage 72-hour 3rd kit fire 10th safety DART DS art kitchen & Board cabinets Board 4th wall 9th hangings emergency supplies utility 5th safety 8th water heater tall furniture6th 7th To contact us: Keys to Success Pierce County Department of Emergency Management • choose one hour each PC-NET Program month to do the 2401 S 35th Street, Room 2 designated activity Tacoma, WA 98409 • write it on the calendar 253-798-2751 or 253-798-2168 (Voice) • give the activity your 253-798-3131 (fax) highest priority when that day on the www.piercecountywa.org calendar arrives [email protected] or [email protected] (e-mail) PC-NET 2004 PC-NET’s guide to Personal & Neighborhood Preparedness Personal Preparedness - monthly Dart Board activities page .....................2 Pacific Northwest Threats & Hazards ..........................8 Personal disaster plan .......................10 Water .......................12 Three-day emergency kit .......................14 Wall hangings ........................16 Utility safety ........................18 Tall furniture ........................20 Water heater .......................22 Emergency supplies .......................24 Kitchen & cabinets .......................26 Fire safety .......................28 Garage & storage .......................30 Structural preparedness Neighborhood Preparedness - Disaster Response Teams page ...................34 9-step neighborhood response plan ........................35 Block coordination ........................37 First aid .......................39 Light search & rescue .......................41 Safety & security ........................43 Sheltering & special needs ........................45 Communications ...................................47 Damage assessment Neighborhood Resource Pages page ...................50 Neighborhood preparedness process .......................51 Disaster response summary .......................52 Sample neighborhood map ........................53 Neighborhood supply kit ........................54 Making an emergency stretcher ........................55 NOAA Weather Radio ........................56 Disaster mental health ........................57 Pet preparedness .............................58 Before • during • after tsunamis ...................................59 Before • during • after floods ...................................60 Before • during • after tornados ...................................61 Before • during • after winter storms / blizzards ...................................61 Before • during • after acts of terror ...................................64 Sheltering in place Getting Ready… ...................................66 The national threat warning system for terrorist acts ...................................67 Out-of-area contact cards ...................................69 Neighborhood information & skills inventory PC-NET 2004 1 PC-NET Pacific Northwest Threats & Hazards Disaster defined A disaster, by definition, is any event that overwhelms the capacity of 9-1-1 emergency police, fire, medical, and utility responders - • earthquakes • tsunamis • floods • wildland fires • hurricanes, tornados, & windstorms • terrorism Disasters typically happen with little or no warning, and can leave us cut off from outside support for as long as three days. While there are no guarantees, individuals who are prepared typically experience a reduction in loss, injury, damage, and trauma. Neighborhoods that are prepared are ready to complete vital response activity more quickly, doing the greatest good for the greatest number, and minimizing the risk to the neighborhood responders. This workbook focuses on all-hazard can-do preparedness for individuals and neighbor- hoods. Because earthquakes continue to be the greatest natural threat in the Pacific Northwest, the Dart Board focuses on preparing for that disaster. Information for other specific disaster threats follows. Because acts of terror also continue to threaten us, preparedness information for terrorism is found on pages 61 - 66. Earthquake Earthquakes are a shaking or a trembling of the earth, caused by underground volcanic forces or by the breaking and shifting of giant slabs of rock beneath the surface. The greatest earthquake risk is the west coast, including the Pacific Northwest. Earthquakes are classified as small, moderate, major, or great, based on how much energy they release, as measured by the Richter scale: Classifications Richter Scale Magnitudes small 3.0 – 5.9 moderate 6.0 – 6.9 major 7.0 – 7.9 great 8.0 – 10 The Richter scale is logarithmic, meaning these numbers increase exponentially. Each whole number is 10 times larger than the previous whole number. For example, a 5.2 is 10 times stronger than a 4.2 – a 6.2 is 100 times stronger than a 4.2, a 7.2 is 1,000 times stronger than a 4.2, and a 8.2 is 10,000 times stronger than a 4.2. PC-NET 2 2004 PC-NET Pacific Northwest Threats & Hazards Tsunami Coastal Tsunami Since 1946, six tsunamis have killed more than 350 people and damaged $500 million of property in Alaska, Hawaii, and the west coast. A Tsunami is a large ocean wave caused by earthquakes and underwater landslides. These waves travel an average of 450 miles per hour in the open ocean. As they approach the coast, their speed decreases and their amplitude increases, reaching heights of over 100 feet. From the initial earthquake or underwater landslide, waves travel outward in all directions much like the ripples caused by throwing a rock into a pond. As these waves approach the coast, the time between successive wave crests varies from five to 90 minutes. The first wave is usually not the largest nor the most significant. One coastal community may experience no damaging waves, while another, not that far away, may experience vast destruction. Areas at greatest risk are generally 25 feet above sea level and within one mile of the shoreline. Most deaths are caused by drowning. Associated risks include flooding, contamination of drinking water, and fire from ruptured tanks and gas lines. Advisory an earthquake has occurred which might generate a tsunami Watch a tsunami was or may have been generated, but is at least two hours away Warning a tsunami was or may have been generated which could cause damage - people in the warned area are strongly advised to evacuate Tsunami Warning Signs - A strong earthquake lasting 20 seconds or more near the coast may generate a tsunami. A noticeable rise or fall in coastal waters could indicate a tsunami is approaching. Tsunamis most frequently come onshore as a rapidly rising turbulent surge of water choked with debris. Inland Tsunami Earthquakes or landslides can cause inland tsunamis. Land masses falling into the water can create a wave that would affect low-lying areas such as Dyes Inlet and Sinclair Inlet. Waves created by inland tsunamis can cause damage to ports, marinas, and other structures or businesses on the waterfront. PC-NET 2004 3 PC-NET Pacific Northwest Threats & Hazards Flood Flooding occurs anytime a body of water rises to cover what is usually dry land. Floods have many causes including heavy rain, spring snowmelt, hurricanes, coastal storms, and dam or levee failure. Flash floods, flooding that occurs with little or no warning, causes great risk to people and animals. Land along rivers, lakeshores, and coastlines is particularly