 |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
With Oregon at risk of 'larger' quakes, MHCC prepares drills
The Advocate
Crouched underneath a desk, covering her head with her hands, MHCC’s manager of environmental safety, Karen Reynolds, explains why it’s important the MHCC community is aware of this protective position.
In response to the recent catastrophic earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, Mexico and China, Gov. Ted Kulongoski officially designated April as Earthquake Awareness Month in Oregon. In the proclamation, he said that “scientific evidence indicates that the State of Oregon is at risk for much larger and potentially more damaging earthquakes and tsunamis.”
In an attempt to spread the word about earthquake awareness, Reynolds said there will be a “Duck, cover and hold on” drill Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at MHCC. According to Reynolds the drill will last about three minutes.
“It’s a drill to help us reinforce the duck, cover, and hold on routine, so please participate,” said Reynolds.
“While the drill occurs, I have a nice script that talks about past earthquakes and what to do when you are at the coast, inland, or driving, or in a shopping mall,” Reynolds said. “There are all sorts of ways you can at least try and take cover. If you can’t get under a secure object, then at least get yourself away from the windows, or crouch next to a substantial piece of furniture so it would take the blow of anything that is falling.”
Having experienced a high magnitude earthquake in 1965 in Seattle, Reynolds said the tip to get into a door jamb has since been changed. “That’s not where to go. They do not want you going into the door jambs,” she said. “More than likely, the door is going to slam shut on you. Getting under something substantial is the best response.”
Reynolds instructs people to get under a desk or table of substantial size and weight in order to protect themselves from falling objects. She said people with disabilities and who cannot get under a desk or table can crouch and cover their heads next to a substantial piece of furniture.
She urges the MHCC community to be prepared for the worst at all times. “I know it sounds crazy to always be in this mentality,” said Reynolds.
People may be on their own for as much as 72 hours, according to Reynolds.
“There will be no external help, so make sure that there’s food and water,” said Reynolds.
A kit that Reynolds keeps in her office contains bottled water, a small first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, rain ponchos, Cup-A-Noodle soups, Carnation Instant Breakfast in a can, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, and more non-perishable food items in a backpack.
“Water is the most important. We can’t live without water so people need a supply of water,” said Reynolds. She also keeps a sleeping bag, pillow, mat and little camp stove in her car.
Being mentally prepared for a disaster is the first step, according to the American Red Cross. “Having a plan in place will make it easier to locate or communicate with loved ones,” according to a Red Cross pamphlet.
Reynolds agrees and said typically cell phones will not work; they will either be overloaded or the towers will be down.
“Payphones will work and if people try to call out of the quake zone, they will have better success,” said Reynolds.
“Have a plan that everyone will call ‘Aunt Alice’ in North Dakota to check in with her so that everyone knows everyone’s safe,” Reynolds said.
“Also, maybe have a meeting place that everyone can walk to. That way they know they can get home,” she added.
There are many resources available to people to help plan for an earthquake. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website (www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake) has “six ways to plan ahead, including creating an emergency communication plan.
Other information can be found at Oregon Emergency Management’s website (www.oregon.gov/OMD/OEM/archive/earth_tsunami_aware).
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.