Your Survival Blog
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Survival Tips of Summer Campers
When I started thinking about this story, there were a few questions that came to mind like - When did we decide that camping, hanging out in the woods, was something to do, and thus survive? So, I reached out to the people who would probably know best; The American Camp Association. According to the organization, the camp experience is a unique American tradition. With more than 140 years of history, camp as we know it today has its roots deeply planted in American soil. But while clothing, music, and pastimes have changed over the years, camp has always been a place where children could prepare to be productive, healthy adults in the context of fun and games.
Now, further research showed The Gunnery Camp to be the first organized American camp. Frederick W. Gunn and his wife Abigail operated a home school for boys in Washington, Connecticut. In 1861, they took the whole school on a two-week trip. The class hiked to their destination and then set up camp. The students spent their time boating, fishing, and trapping. The trip was so successful, the Gunns continued the tradition for twelve years.
Since that time, camps have turned up and are designed to appeal to every age, gender, ethnicity, as well as social and professional need. So, now the question becomes, “How do you survive if camping is something you’re considering or getting ready to do?”
Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Travel and act responsibly! It is important to stay on trails and roads that have been carved out. There are certain areas that have been designated as “permitted” areas, and there is a reason.
- Try to avoid traveling or venturing out alone. Always use the “buddy system,” as this will leave you less vulnerable to danger as well as will create back-up.
- Respect road signs, private property and rights of fellow campers and animal habitats.
- “Gear Up” up with natural color clothing as this will blend much better in natural surroundings. This will also be great for working as a camouflage and protection from possible danger. Natural clothing is also less intrusive to the environment and the eyes of fellow campers.
- Educate yourself with the environment you are headed into. Make sure you have researched with maps, have a compass or GPS system to help navigate your path.
- Make sure you’re well stocked with energy food, drinks and water.
- Check the weather forecast so that you are properly prepared with proper clothing, equipment, and supplies.
- If you plan to cook out doors, it is recommended that a camping stove be used and that you find a camp home about 200 feet from water, trails, and other campsites. With the recent news of wildfires, this should help to prevent fire and danger to the natural environment.
- Prepare for the unexpected by packing items that would be useful in the event of an “extended stay.”
- After your camp expedition, be sure to wash clothing as well as equipment and travel vehicle to prevent spread of disease or infection.
By following the above tips used by seasoned outdoor folks, your camping experience should be a safe and memorable adventure. So, enjoy and happy trails to you!
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Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Hurricane Boris Headed Towards Land
After being downgraded from hurricane status just late yesterday, Boris seems to still be packing a punch. According to US National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Boris has yet again strengthened into a hurricane for a second time. Will this finally take shape and become the first major - event of the Hurricane Season? Read ahead for more info and some of our best Hurricane safety tips.
With hurricane season in full swing and the impact of global warming, many are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Boris. Boris seems to be gathering strength and is headed towards Hawaii. As the tracking systems continue to watch its formation, it is reportedly picking up winds of about 75 mph as of July 1. Although Boris is currently regarded as a weak storm the possibility that it will begin to have momentum is very clear and weather watchers will certainly be monitoring its progress. Boris formed near Baja California and continued the path west into the Pacific, before reaching hurricane strength July 1. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said yesterday that Boris strengthened into the first hurricane of the eastern Pacific hurricane season.
The government’s Climate Prediction Centers are forecasting that 2008 will be a record year for Hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin, which includes the Caribbean. Meteorologists are gearing up for this year’s season as they predict that it might deliver six to nine hurricanes with two to five being major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale).
Stay tuned to your local news, weather channels and YourSurvival.com to make sure you are prepared to protect yourself from this and any other weather threats-Be Safe, Plan! Ahead!
View these Hurricane Survival Guides provided by YourSurvival.com:
1. Disaster Survival: Hurricane
Posted by Saba on 07/02 at 11:05 AM(0) Comments • Permalink
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Being Prepared for an Emergency
Every time there is a major fire, earthquake or tornado - or the electricity goes out for a couple of days - do you say to your family, We need to get organized for an emergency? Here, with the help of Costco members Marty Kuritz of Active Insights and Sam Brown of Your Survival is a guide to preparing for an emergency.
Every time there’s a major fire, earthquake or tornado - or the electricity goes out for a couple of days, do you say to your family, “We need to get organized for an emergency”? Maybe the reason it’s so hard to make progress on this goal is that it reaches into so many areas:
- Reviewing insurance policies and preparing a household inventory
- Backing up important files, papers and photos
- Gathering necessary supplies
- Putting together a communication plan
- Plotting escape routes from within your home
- Locating nearby emergency shelters
- Planning evacuation routes from your community
- Determining what to do about pets
- Education yourself about how to respond to potential disasters in your area
- Creating emergency kits for your home, car and office
- Getting the whole family to practice the plan
Here, with the help of Costco members Marty Kuritz of Active Insights (http://www.active-insights.com) and Sam Brown of Your Survival (http://www.yoursurvival.com) is a guide to preparing for an emergency. Kruitz, who himself needed to evacuate his family during recent fires in Southern California, swears by the checklist approach. It’s easy to get rattled when faced with danger, and a checklist helps keep everyone focused. Involving the whole family in this planning project, with regular deadlines, could be a real lifesaving effort.
DEVISE A CUMMUNICATION PLAN
Keeping in touch with loved ones or with emergency personnel is crucial during a disaster. Here are some things to consider.
Designate and out-of-town contact person
Often, during a disaster, it’s easier to call long distance than it is to call locally. Choose a friend or relative who lives out of town who can be your family’s point person in case you’re not together when disaster strikes. Be sure that each family member has the telephone number and e-mail address of the contact person and the resources to make contact (cell phone, coins, prepaid calling card). In the case of young children who might be at school or with a child-care provider, be sure that the school and child-care provider know to call the central contact in the event you cannot be reached.
Have several ways to communicate
- Transistor radio. You’ll need to get news, information and advisories from authorities. For this, there is no better alternative than a simple transistor radio or a NOAA weather radio with built-in AM receiver.
- Text messaging. To alert others to your location and condition, you’want to have a cell phone with text-messaging capabilities. Because of the narrower bandwidth required for text messaging, it’s more likely texts will get through (use a simple “I am ok” or “Need help"), even when phone calls can’t be completed.
- Basic corded telephone. You should always keep at least one old-fashioned corded telephone around the house. That’s because it runs on the phone company’s power source. So while the circuits can still jam, a corded phone has a better chance of operating during a power outage which will immediately knock out cordless sets.
- Two-way radios. Today’s basic units work within six miles on standard batteries. They can be an effective means of communicating during short forays for additional supplies or if family members evacuate in separate cars.
Pick a physical meeting place
Plan a rendezvous point where your family will meet both inside and outside your immediate area. Practice ahead of time getting to that rendezvous point from different locations at different times, just to get a feel for how it will go in and emergency.
Create in-case-of-emergency (ICE) contacts
Should paramedics or police officers need to contact designated next of kin during a crisis, have everyone in the family enter the acronym ICE (for “in case of emergency") into their cell phones along with the number of the person you’d want contacted if they were injured and couldn’t respond.
GRAB-AND-GO SUPPLIES
Experts suggest that after a disaster every household should be prepared to manage at least 72 hours on its own. That means putting together comprehensive survival kits for each member of the family as well as kits for your office and cars. Several sources give suggestions as to what to include in these kits, depending on your family’s needs. The following helpful information and lists are excerpted from Your Survival, by Dr. Bob Arnot (Hatherleigh Press, 2008).
There may come a time in a disaster when, no matter how much care you’ve dedicated to fortifying your home and stockpiling supplies, you may need to leave it all behind and just get the heck out or “bug out” in disaster parlance. In that case, you’ll want to grab whatever few essentials you’ll need on the road, and fast. Which is where the bug-out bag comes into play.
To create bug-out bags simply stuff a backpack for each family member with the items on the list below and store them with the rest of your supplies. Also get in the habit of storing your family’s sleeping bags nearby, along with a handful of other items that could be useful on the road, such as a couple of small tube tents, a leash and a small bag of pet food. That way, the entire family can sling their bug-out bags over their shoulders, help grab the med kit, vital financial records box, tents and sleeping bags, and just go.
Think of your car bug-out kit as a very mini, car-based version of your usual basement stockpile, for those times when you family is stranded on the road. If you own a pickup, a metal lockbox would be the perfect place to store it, if not, any sort of metal or plastic container will do.
GADGETS TO HAVE ON HAND
There are a handful of other gadgets that every family should have on hand to ease the burden of an extended utilities outage.
- Water filter. A great backup to a bottled water supply, it will remove toxins and bacteria in the event tap water becomes contaminated or you have to rely on eternal sources such as rain or stream water.
- Gas grill. An outdoor portable propane powered grill with at least one full tank of propane in reserve as a disaster spare can cook your meals.
- Metal coffeepot. Caffeine withdrawal can be unpleasant, with symptoms mimicking the flu. Invest in a metal coffeepot that can withstand the extreme temperatures of a grill.
- Kids’ entertainment devices. Buy yourself some much-needed peace with portable Game Boy systems or their equivalent.
- Battery-operated lights. Spend the money for a powerful flashlight that can withstand hours of use and abuse during an emergency. You’ll also want to pick up a couple of battery-powered headlamps, so you don’t have to juggle a flashlight. Also stock up on some battery-operated LED hurricane lamps for ambient lighting to read and cook by.
- Batteries. Even LED lights need to have their batteries replaced occasionally. Count on at least three refills of batteries per battery-operated gadget. Be sure to double-check which kind (D, C, AA, etc.) goes in each. And remember to replace all of the batteries in your disaster supplies once a year before they lose their juice.
- Weather radio. This lifesaver is a great addition to any household in the possible path of severe weather. You keep it on 24 hours a day, and normally it remains silent, but the instant the National Weather Service issues a warning the radio emits a piercing being sound. In the meantime, pick up a NOAA radio. Look for a brand with “S.A.M.E.” technology, which enables you to focus the alert on your immediate vicinity. It’ll cut down on annoying false alarms.
PROTECTING THE STUFF YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT
In the aftermath of any disaster, the reports of victims who have lost all of their family mementos and treasures tug at the heartstrings. These items that insurance can’t replace are often what people hold most dear. To help assure that these items are protected, here are some steps to take.
- Open a safe deposit box at a bank. Even with a water tight, fireproof home safe, it’s a good idea to keep items that cannot be insured or replaced in a bank vault. Keep a current inventory of the contents of the safe deposit box and appoint a trusted person who can access the box in your absence.
- Obtain and copy all important papers, letter and documents; copy, scan or preferably digitize one-of-a-kind photographs, slides, home movies and videos; and store them on DVDs. Items that cannot be scanned or photocopied (e.g., coin and stamp collections) should be kept in the safe deposit box.
- Duplicate your computer program files and a complete and current backup of your computer data. While it might not be feasible to store duplicate copies of all receipts, tax records, photo negatives and miscellaneous other papers in your safe deposit box, it’s a good idea to store the originals or copies at a safe off-premises location, such as your office of the home of a friend or relative.
The process of keeping valuables in a safe deposit box and storing copied and originals in two places will help protect that which you hold dear, regardless of whether you are at home or away if disaster strikes.
TIPS & TRICKS
Battery Use and Care Tips
- Use the correct size and type of battery specified by the manufacturer of your device.
- Keep battery contact surfaces and battery compartment contacts clean by rubbing them with a clean pencil eraser or a rough cloth each time you replace batteries.
- Remove batteries from a device when it is not expected to be in use for several months.
- Remove batteries from equipment while it is being powered by household (AC) current.
- Make sure that you insert batteries into your device properly, with the (+) and (-) terminals aligned correctly. Caution: Some equipment using more than three batteries may appear to work properly even if one battery is inserted incorrectly.
- Store batteries in a dry place at normal room temperature. Do not refrigerate Duracell batteries. This will not make them last longer. Most Duracell batteries will provide dependable long life even after five years of storage in these conditions.
- Extreme temperatures reduce battery performance. Avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm places.
- To prevent battery shorting, leakage or rupture, never dispose of batteries in a fire, as they could explode. And do not attempt to recharge a battery unless the battery specifically is marked “rechargeable."ť
The “Bug-Out” Bag
- Change of clothes (seasonal)
- Socks/underwear
- Sturdy shoes
- Extra set of car and house keys
- Lighter (adults only)
- Pocket knife (adults only)
- Permanent marker
- Notebook
- Flash drive with important financial documents
- ID tag on backpack
- Stuffed animal
- Deck of cards
- AM/FM/NOAA radio
- Batteries
- Quart of water
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Extra pair of contacts/glasses
- Tissues
- Deodorant
“Bug-Out" Car
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Water
- Hearty snacks (such as granola bars)
- Blankets
- Additional jackets and spare items of clothing
- Jack
- Tire-patch kit
- Signal flares
- Metal lockbox or metal/plastic container to store items
Safe Use of Portable Generators sponsored by Powermate
A generator can be a lifesaving tool in the event of a power outage. But you must know how to operate it correctly to avoid deadly dangers. Follow these steps.
- Always read and follow the operator’s manual and all operating instructions before running the generator.
- Use your generator outdoors only, away from open windows, vents or doors. Never use your generator inside homes, garages or other enclosed areas. Fumes that can kill you can build up in these areas.
- Use a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector when running your generator.
- Allow the engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling. Always use fresh gas in your generator. If you do not plan to use your generator in 30 days, stabilize the gas with fuel stabilizer.
- Keep your generator at least 5 feet away from any structures or combustible materials.
- When using extension cords, be sure they are the grounded type and are rated for the application. Coiled cords can get hot, so always uncoil cords and lay them in flat, open locations.
- If you are connecting a generator to your home electrical system, have a qualified electrician install a power transfer switch. Never plug your generator directly into your home outlet.
This article sponsored by Duracell. Part of the Procter & Gamble Company, Duracell is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance alkaline batteries. For more information on the company, as well as resources to help you find the best batteries for you needs, visit http://www.duracell.com.
This article is reprinted from the Costco Household Almanac, copyright 2008, with permission granted by Costco Wholesale. The entire Almanac can be found at http://www.costco.com, search “almanac.”
Posted by Saba on 04/23 at 09:38 AM(2) Comments • Permalink
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Just a Few Steps to Help you Thrive - By: Dr. Maurice A. Ramirez
The recent tornados and extreme winter weather across the United States serve as grim reminders of the unpredictability of Mother Nature. Dr. Maurice Ramirez offers some helpful tips to prepare your household and family before a disaster strikes, as well as some tips if you did not prepare as much as you would have liked.
Emergency Managers, Contingency Planners and Disaster Preparedness Educators nation wide sing a common refrain, the need for a coordinated disaster preparedness effort is not news. The need for meaningful and effective disaster preparedness funding is not a recent revelation. The Institute of Medicine and later the National Academies of Science have published a total of 3 reports calling for increased funding, more coordinated planning, effective and meaningful drills and the widespread adoption of High Fidelity Immersion Simulation by the medical community and the rest of the disaster response community. Outspoken advocates for the American people form a cacophonous symphony of concern. But is anyone listening as this band plays on?!
What can you do when disaster strikes?
Well, if you didn’t prepare ahead:
1. Don’t panic – this is easier said than done. With a few must-haves you’ll be able to survive at least 72 hours. By then communications should be back up and help will be on its way.
2. Use common sense – if it ain’t yours, don’t touch it. If the power line that fell is not yours, don’t touch it, and if the stray dog isn’t yours, don’t touch it. This will help you remain safe.
3. Don’t wander – wherever you are from, you know the dangers there. This is not the time to learn something new. See rule one.
4. Seek help – talk to neighbors, friends, and other family members. Don’t go it alone. There is safety and strength in numbers.
But since it is always better to plan ahead, here is a short list of “must-haves:”
1. Tarp - Not one for your roof. If you’re outside you can create shade; if your shelter is gone, it provides shelter; and condensation to collect and cool drinking water.
2. Crank or shake type flashlight – when it’s still overcast and there is no moon, nothing is darker than dark.
3. Crank type radio with cell phone charger – receive information and send messages through wireless.
4. First aid kit – small personal ones for each person in the family that you can carry in a backpack.
5. Backpack packed before disaster strikes – list of basics can be forwarded.
6. Water – most people think food and water, but this one is left until the end on purpose. Obesity is found in more than 50% of the population. Most can live off what they have stored for 3 – 5 days. However, water is not stored in the human body, it must be replenished. Two gallons per person, per day is ideal which will cover only drinking, not flushing or washing; two quarts is minimum.
With these few steps, you can ensure that while others are fiddling, you are thriving.
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Tuesday, February 05, 2008
China faces coldest winter in 100 years - How to Protect yourself from the Most Unpredictable Storms
New York, NY - Global climate change has recently made headlines bringing disaster and chaos to many parts of the world. With China enduring the coldest winter in 100 years, global climate change and its consequences are starting to be felt more than ever. Due to the unexpected weather patterns, storms form more quickly, temperature changes more rapidly and most people are left unprepared. A winter storm can strike at any time so it is best to get organized. So how do you brace yourself for the coldest winter weather? Stocking up with food and supplies is smart but here are some other tips from CEO of Your Survival LLC, Sam Brown.
- If your regular heating system goes out, and you’re forced to use your backup, be mindful of proper venting. Be sure to always crack a window open to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Further conserve heat by shutting off unneeded rooms, nailing up blankets over your windows at night─ and eating! Food provides the body with energy to help it produce its own heat.
- If you must venture out, wear multiple layers of loose-fitting, lightweight warm clothing, rather than one heavy layer. Cover your head and mouth, and opt for mittens over gloves.
- Try to stay off the roads─ 70 % of all winter storm deaths occur in automobiles. If you do end up getting stranded on a remote road, tie a piece of cloth to the antennae and then stay inside the car and wait for help. Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes every hour, cracking the window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Don’t eat snow! While it’s important to stay hydrated, you need to melt it first; otherwise, it’ll just lower your body temperature.
More survival tips are available in Your Survival. Complete with checklists to help you stock an emergency food closet, vet your insurance policy, and protect your home and your family against the most unpredictable storms, Your Survival is the disaster-preparedness guide that will get you through any winter storm this season. And with survival information on fires, floods, blizzards, and every natural disaster, this is the only guide you will ever need to plan for, cope with, and recover from any disaster.
Posted by Saba on 02/05 at 02:46 PM(0) Comments • Permalink
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
This Winter, Don’t Get Your Car Stuck Before It Gets Started
Article written by Mark Salem, NASCAR® Performance Crew Chief - NASCAR® drivers have it easy; they only race in warm weather. Regular folks like you and me don’t have that luxury. We often have to get our vehicles started in very cold temperatures, and we don’t have pit crews to help us out if things go wrong. So, it’s that much more important for the rest of us that we keep our vehicles in peak condition as winter’s cold weather approaches. By taking a few basic precautions, you’ll be far less likely to find yourself on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck to arrive.
Notes From the Road
By Mark Salem, NASCAR® Performance Crew Chief
So, it’s that much more important for the rest of us that we keep our vehicles in peak condition as winter’s cold weather approaches. By taking a few basic precautions, you’ll be far less likely to find yourself on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck to arrive.
Battery
Keep an eye on your battery. A battery’s cranking power is reduced significantly in freezing weather. Older batteries are notorious for fooling drivers by working just fine in warmer weather, then failing as soon as the weather turns cold. If yours is at least four years old, have it tested by your mechanic. When it doubt, replace it. And just to be safe, carry a set of quality jumper cables at all times in the vehicle. You may also want to consider buying a portable power pack, which can be used in emergency starts.
Motor Oil
Give some thought to the kind of motor oil you have in your engine. During winter, you need an oil that can handle low temperatures and quickly flow to critical engine parts on those cold mornings. I’d recommend a fully synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 for the winter months; it’s designed to flow well even in lower temperatures and is an excellent oil overall.
Filters, Coolant and Hoses
Make sure your three main filters – oil, gas and air – are in good condition. Check your coolant level and the thermostat, as these elements make sure that your engine warms up properly. Coolant should be changed every two years; extended-life coolants last about five years. Also, be sure to test your heater and defroster, since you can’t drive if you can’t see through your windshield. Finally, check for leaking or soft hoses and have them replaced if need be.
Tire Pressure
Remember, air contracts in cold weather, and the air in your tires is no exception. Your tire pressure will go down as the weather cools, so make sure your tires are inflated properly. Too little pressure will increase wear and increase your fuel consumption; too much pressure can reduce traction, especially in icy conditions. The proper air pressure listings are often found on the side of the driver’s door, or in the glove box. (Don’t just look at the psi rating listed on the tire itself; that is the maximum psi, not necessarily the recommended pressure.) Make sure you also inspect your treads and replace any tires that are looking worn.
Vehicle Warm-up
When starting a vehicle in cold weather, be sure to allow the engine to idle for a few seconds before driving off. Why? Because doing so will ensure proper oil flow and lubrication. That said, don’t allow the engine to idle for a prolonged period after start-up in cold weather. All this does is waste fuel. It doesn’t do anything to warm drive-train components. After starting your car and allowing it to idle for a short time, just drive easily for several miles to ensure proper vehicle warm-up.
Icy Windows and Locks
Make sure you keep an ice scraper in your car, and check your windshield wipers and defrosters (front and rear) to verify that they’re working properly. De-icers for door locks are also useful, but heated keys are a bit better when locks are frozen.
Stock the Trunk
It’s always smart to be prepared, so make sure you keep a few useful items in your trunk – a small shovel to help dig out of snow is a good start. I also recommend keeping a bag of sand in the trunk. It not only gives added traction with its weight, but you also can sprinkle it on snow or ice to improve your traction. Finally, throw an extra blanket, hat and gloves in the trunk, just in case.
Winter’s coming – so be your own pit crew chief and make sure your car is ready. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a much better season out on the road.
Mark Salem is the “NASCAR® Performance Crew Chief” and hosts a regular “Be Car Care Aware” segment on Speed Channel’s “NASCAR ® Performance” television show. An ASE Certified Master Technician, he is the owner of Salem Boys Auto, an auto-repair facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
NASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.
Posted by Saba on 11/28 at 02:19 PM(0) Comments • Permalink
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Jill Barklow: A Wildfire Survivor
Let me start by saying I am a neighbor to all who have lost their homes. I lived in Los Angeles unincorporated approximately 45 miles east of Los Angeles in the foothills of the city of Claremont. Since surviving the 2003 wildfires, I bought a home with my SBA loan in Pomona.
My heart goes out to all of you. Tears are streaming down my face as I relive this horrible experience. It is something you will live with forever, but it will make you stronger. There may be a time when a day will go by that you do not "remember" what has happened.
I hope whoever can rebuild their homes, and wants to do so, is able. At this time I am not able to rebuild and think this would have helped me tremendously. I am at the mercy of my city and county. They are expecting my small community in Palmer Canyon to put in and pay for the infrastructure to rebuild (i.e. new road, water, gas). We had a working infrastructure; we were on wells and propane, which I think a lot of the mountain canyon homes are. Our road was a private road, so, FEMA and the city wasn’t responsible. We have to rebuild to the new “codes” so our road has to be resurveyed and widened. That alone has taken us four years and we still not completely finished. The engineering part has cost us $200,000 thus far, and splitting that between 40 homes was almost impossible. The county had quoted about five to nine million for them to put in the infrastructure. That’s when we decided to do it on our own. If we are lucky, we will be able to accomplish it with five million.
This will not be everyone’s story. I know others in the “city limits” who did rebuild in a year. Your government officials will make you lots of promises that I’m pretty sure they will not keep, or you will have to remind them of. Stick together as a community because there is strength and knowledge in numbers. Stay in touch with your neighbors. You are in this together.
Get ready for lots of work, record keeping, etc
YOU CAN DO IT!
Jill Barklow
Your Survival: What fire was your family affected by in the past?
Jill Barklow: Our family was affected by the “Grand Prix” or “Padua Fire” on October 25, 2003. The name changed when it went from San Bernardino County into Los Angeles County. We were just a very short distance from San Bernardino county into LA county.
YS: How much notice did you get before having to evacuate?
JB: We were told to evacuate immediately. My family stayed at least ten minutes past that time. I couldn’t breathe and didn’t know if it was the anxiety or the air from the fire. I could see over the ridge of the canyon.
YS: What items were you able to pack?
JB: My adult daughters packed their personal items, and remembered the family photos, for which I am now so grateful. If you have a large extended family they probably have a lot of duplicate pictures. Still, I took two things that were left to me by my grandmother - a cookie jar and my childhood dolls (I collect dolls). You aren’t thinking rationally, as I left behind a very expensive French baby doll. I guess you take that which is most important to you at the moment.
My husband chose important papers and an expensive TV he had just purchased. We were doing a remodel so we were able to grab a lot of boxes. They turned out to be grab bag type things when I got to them after the fire. I figured since those boxes were already packed I’d take them because it was hard to pick and choose. I walked past my jewelry box thinking it was too fragile and it would get bumped around. You never in your mind think your house is really going to burn. We had just been evacuated the year before and my husband’s company came and took everything out of the house, only to have to bring it all back. We lost two beloved pets we couldn’t catch.
YS: Where you able to leave your neighborhood easily?
JB: Yes, there was not much traffic. It was really only the community that I lived in, which was approximately 45 homes.
YS: Where did you go after leaving your home?
JB: My daughter’s boyfriend’s studio apartment. My one daughter, husband, two birds and 3 cats. My other daughter and grandson, whom also lived in the house, stayed with her boyfriend.
YS: What condition was your home in when you returned?
JB: It was a total loss. Nothing was spared.
YS: What were your first thought upon returning?
JB: This is the worse thing in the world that could have happened. It looked like a war zone. I was shocked, horrified, numb, mad… I had so many emotions running through me, I can’t begin to name them all.
YS: What did you learn about insurance? Any tips?
JB: I, like EVERYONE, was underinsured. I spent the next two years dealing/fighting with my insurance company. They will try to get you to sign off, but don’t do it unless you are satisfied with the amount they are offering. YOU have RIGHTS and the insurance company doesn’t want you to know that. I contacted my state insurance commissioner John Garamendi, who is now Lt Governor. I requested what is called a RFA (request for action) and dealt with them directly. I can write a book on what I went through with the insurance company. Also, the organization CARe Inc., helped me tremendously.
YS: What were you most shocked to discover through your experience?
JB: Where should I begin? The lack of support from my local government agencies, i.e. city, state, and county. My own community. You will be surprised at the lack of empathy from people you would expect to be supporting you
YS: What helped you and your family recover?
JB: We are still recovering, even after we have been made financially whole. You will never fully recover. My community is still fighting to rebuild.
YS: Is there anything you wish you could have done differently?
JB: Been more prepared. I miss a lot of my stuff, especially my children’s art work and baby books. A lot of my family members are artists and I miss all those things they made, all the things that make you comfortable. I cleared my brush so I did everything I could to make my home safe. Make sure your neighbors do the same. I wish I had sprinklers or things of that nature, but I doubt it would have saved my home.
YS: What organizations were the most helpful?
JB: Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA, SBA and a Buddhist community that was close to our home in the San Bernardino mountains. I am not a Buddhist but they were there at the “command center”. Right after the fire there will be lots of people to help and people who do genuinely care. It is after the dust settles that the real “work” begins.
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Monday, September 24, 2007
You are prepared, but what about your business?
This September marked the second anniversary of Hurricane Rita's attack on coastal parishes of southwest Louisiana causing $11.3 billion in damage along the Gulf Coast. Companies dealt with unprecedented human resources issues during Rita and Katrina, with employees scattered along evacuation routes and temporarily living in company offices. A major hurricane can turn an entire city upside down, but a storm does not have to be a Category 5 to uproot a business and its employees. Here are some important business preparedness questions employees need to address with their company, as well as things business owners need to think about when crafting guidelines for operating in a disaster's aftermath.By David Barron
Your Survival Workplace Preparedness Expert
Epstein Becker Green Wickliff & Hall, P.C.
A major hurricane can turn an entire city upside down. With changes in weather patterns as a result of global warming, cities that may not have needed to prepare for natural disasters in the past now find themselves facing complete devastation. Companies dealt with unprecedented human resources issues during Rita and Katrina, with employees scattered along evacuation routes, even temporarily living in company offices.
In the aftermath of those two high-profile hurricanes, businesses learned valuable lessons from which the prudent can profit by drafting a plan for dealing with labor issues during the next catastrophic storm. The key is adopting policies and procedures beforehand that will minimize confusion in a few key areas.
Requiring employees to work during a hurricane
Every employee’s first instinct in a hurricane will be to protect his or her family and property. However, each business must have a critical group of employees on the job during an emergency to protect the company’s assets. Whether it is an IT Manager charged with guarding the safety of the company’s data, or a maintenance supervisor responsible for ensuring that dangerous chemicals don’t explode or leak, most businesses will need someone on the scene during a storm.
It is therefore important for each company to identify critical personnel and explain the company’s expectations in the event of a hurricane. For instance, most states prohibit a company from retaliating against an employee who is absent from work because he or she obeys an evacuation order. Some states, like Texas, have exceptions if the employee is providing emergency services or is “a person necessary to provide for the safety and well being of the general public.” However, a company can always provide incentives or “hazard pay” for those willing to risk the storm.
Persons necessary to provide for the general public could mean more than simply firemen and policemen, and could reasonably include gas station attendants and others. However, an employee who is required to work during an evacuation should be provided adequate emergency shelter by their employer.
Pay issues
A hurricane or other natural disaster inevitably throws normal business operations off balance and causes employees to work different schedules than normal. These situations can often raise questions concerning payment.
For non-exempt employees, employers must pay for all hours worked, and must pay overtime for any work over 40 hours in a work week. If an hourly employee does not work because of a hurricane-related absence, there is no requirement to pay that employee.
Conversely, if an hourly employee remains on the premises during a storm to watch over critical equipment, that employee must be compensated even if he or she spends part of the time sleeping or watching the local weatherman chart the hurricane’s path on television. Any work that benefits an employer is compensable, so an employee who decides to pitch in with hurricane preparations or cleanup must be paid.
For exempt employees, the rules are different. They cannot be docked for weather related absences where offices are closed. Salaried employees may, however, be required to work extra time during an emergency without any entitlement to additional compensation.
Communication of expectations
The day before a hurricane hits town is not the best time to communicate your business plan for maintaining operations during the storm. Employees deserve advance notice of what will be expected of them during a crisis, and what plans they should make to meet both their employer’s expectations and the needs of their family.
Accordingly, if your business does not already have a plan in place to deal with the operational and human resource issues that may arise in the event of a hurricane, you are already behind. Making quick decisions in the heat-of-the moment is a recipe for disaster from both an operational and morale standpoint. There is nothing worse than having employees band together against the company’s orders during a time of crisis, when both company and employees should instead be pulling together.
Give careful thought to your company’s staffing needs during a hurricane to ensure that your employees know what is expected of them. Putting such a plan in place now, and making it well known, will allow you to rest easy during the next storm.
Crisis does not have to lead to panic. Disaster cannot be prevented, but it can be minimized. If people know what is expected of them, and they know what their rights and obligations will be during the course of a storm, they will weather even the most fearsome tempest with real calm and poise, and it will be exponentially easier to rebuild and to reestablish normal working conditions during the recovery and rebuilding process.
DAVID L. BARRON, is a Member of the Firm in the Labor and Employment practice of Epstein Becker Green Wickliff & Hall P.C. He is Board Certified in Labor and Employment law, and focuses on providing practical solutions for clients’ problems while aggressively representing their interests. Mr. Barron frequently speaks on employment-related topics, and has published numerous articles on topics such as religion in the workplace, workplace violence, tattoos, piercings and other dress code issues, wage and hour litigation, HR Disaster survival guides, keeping politics and religion out of the workplace, and employee benefits issues.
Posted by Saba on 09/24 at 02:26 PM(2) Comments • Permalink