Emergency Systems Planning » Fire

72 Hour Go Bag for One

emergenc — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:07:32 +0000

Everyone probably has an emergency kit of some sort in case of natural disasters, but most of these kits consist of only a few bandages, an old blanket, and a flashlight. None of them are as complete as the 72 hours emergency super go bag plus for one. This bag has everything emergency preparation experts say you’ll need in case of a horrible disaster. You’ll find food and water rations that will last for three days, plus water purification tablets. If you’re stuck in the cold, you’ll find a poncho, a tent, and a sleeping bag. The backpack, which weighs about ten pounds when full, also contains a radio and batteries, n emergency candle, matches, and a flashlight that runs off of a crank instead of batteries. You’ll also find a fully stocked first aid kit with a large supply of antibacterial bandages, sunscreen, and other supplies.

Wildfires of Southern California

emergenc — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:41:16 +0000

As firefighters struggle heroically to contain the last of several wildfires in Southern California, we will take a brief look at some of the measures taken that saved lives and reduced property damage. Tragically, thousands of people are left homeless as fires ripped through their neighborhoods and destroyed their belongings. Due to evacuation orders put into place as fires neared, miraculously there have been no fatalities reported. The order has since been lifted, and many people have returned to find their home a pile of rubble.

Enforcement codes have been adopted by many communities in the past two decades that prevent dense trees or shrubbery next to homes, reducing property damage from wildfire. New California building codes put into place in January, bans wood siding and shingling in fire-prone areas. Several existing communities have begun retrofitting their structures to be more fire resistant. The causes of the wildfires are still under investigation, although it is suspected that they will be labeled as human carelessness.

Wildfire

emergenc — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:06:46 +0000

Like probably a few million other people I am completely mesmerized by the CNN shots of fires in Southern California, but I’m trying to imagine what it would feel like to own one of the homes or trailers that have so far been destroyed. Even though they lost so much more in terms of material goods I’m not so sure that people are as sympathetic towards the residents of Montecito as they are to the people who lost their homes in the trailer park. I suppose that it seems easier to imagine that someone who had so much more in the first place will not have difficulty in replacing the material goods, while the poorer people might have more trouble just getting back to ground zero. Sadly, I’m positive that’s the truth.

And it occurs to me to wonder why anyone would live where Wildfire is a threat. But there’s no sense really wondering about that – especially considering that they’re all living in an earthquake zone as well. Might as well wonder why anyone would live in California – a spectacularly stupid bit of questioning. It’s a package deal. I wonder if anyone in the next few days will care what happens to all these people.