PREPAREDNESS

We can reduce or eliminate the adverse effects of disasters if we take some simple steps now before the flood, wind or fire.  Also called mitigation, most of these  "just make good sense" and are not expensive.  If you want to make your home, school, business or workplace safer and more resistant to disasters take these steps:

1.  Think about which hazards affect you.  All areas of Columbia County are prone to wildfires, depending upon where you live this can be a major hazard.  Others are more prone to wind damage because of where we live, work or go to school.  Many businesses, homes and other structures are near areas prone to floods. 

2.  Assess your situation.  Go on a hazard hunt.  Look around your home, business, school or place of work to find things that would be a problem during an emergency.

 

3.  Take action.

 

Wildfire damage prevention

· Clear at least 50 feet around structures free of combustibles

· Move woodpile away from structures

· Trim or remove trees

· Use fire resistant plants

· Replace wood roof with Class A roof

Enclose eaves and overhangs

 

The Firewise Home Page was created for people who live or vacation in fire prone areas of North America. This information will help you to become a firewise individual, and acquaint you with the challenges of living around interface/intermix wildfire. These pages provide information that may lessen the risk of wildfire loss for you, your family and your neighbors. You will find online wildfire protection information designed to help you avoid unnecessary fire loss. You will also find a list of offline wildfire protection information as well as links to off-site fire resources.

 

Wind damage prevention

· Install wind resistant roofing (80+ mph)

· Secure garage and shop doors

· Pick up loose items outside

 

Flood damage prevention

· Store important documents above flood level

· Promptly and properly dispose of hazardous materials

· Elevate washer and dryer in basement or move upstairs

Pet and Livestock Preparedness

"Amid the chaos of a mass evacuation - when every second counts -- even the most beloved companion animals can be overlooked and left behind. If flood waters are rising, people typically cannot take the time to coax terrified cats out from under their beds. Even wild animals, despite their survival instincts, cannot always save themselves from a perilous situation." (American Humane Society)

 

Have Pets? Have a Plan!

 

· Pet Preparedness (pdf)

· Saving the Whole Family (AVMA)

 

 

 

Pet Disaster Supply Kit

Your pet depends on you for care after a disaster. The following are items you should place in a pet disaster supply kit. Prepare your kit before a disaster occurs.

Pet Emergency Supplies

· Sturdy crate as a pet carrier

· Identification tag containing accurate, up-to-date information

· A sturdy leash

· Food and water for at least three days

· Non-spill bowl

· Portable litter box and litter

· Large plastic bags for cat litter disposal and dog clean up

· Prescriptions and special medications

· Manual can opener

· A copy of your pet's veterinary records

· Recent photo of your pet

· Blankets

· Paper towels

· Phone number of the local emergency veterinary clinic

 

Pet First Aid Kit

· Large and small bandages

· Scissors

· Tweezers

· Q-tips

· Antibiotic ointment

· Hydrogen peroxide

· Elastic tape

· Eye wash (saline)

· Ear cleaning solutions

· K-Y jelly

 

 

Plan For Livestock

 

· Post emergency contact numbers at your barn or on your pasture fence.

· Have sufficient transportation available for all your livestock or know where to obtain it. Train your livestock how to board the vehicles.

· Create a list of neighbors within a 100-mile radius of your home who would be willing to board your livestock if you are forced to evacuate.

· Form agreements with neighboring ranches and farms to help each other with disaster preparation and evacuations.

· Know organizations in your area that are prepared to rescue and house displaced livestock.

· Involve your family and neighbors in establishing an evacuation plan for animals in barns and outlying buildings.

· Have a supply of feed at a separate location, which could be air-dropped if the animals become stranded.

· Make up a kit with leads, halters, equine and bovine first aid kits, quieting hoods for easy transport, and water.

· Keep photos and a copy of your ownership papers or brands with you at all times in case you are separated from your livestock.

 

 

 

Did you know…

"More than 30 percent of individuals who refused to evacuate during Hurricane Katrina did so because they were unwilling to leave their pets behind.

An ASPCA survey conducted in 2004 indicated that nearly 50 percent of respondents did not have a family or per evacuation plan. It also revealed that 67 percent of the respondents would refuse to leave pets behind or go to an evacuation shelter that did not accept pets." (ASPCA.org)

 

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