PAGE 42 R U READY? Plan Now. Work Together. Be Ready.
Earthquakes, Blackouts, Meteors and Solar Flares, Oh My
By Carol Malin There was no warning. Zero, as in none. The computers shut down. All
air conditioning units shut off and the gasoline pumps didn’t work. The lights went out and stayed out. It was a dark day, literally. What could be the cause? What would cause a wide-spread power sys-
tem blackout? It might be an earthquake, tornado, or a major fire. It could be an errant meteor plummeting from the sky, like the one that hit Russia a few weeks ago. Or, it could be solar flares. Really. National Geographic reports that NASA scientists expect solar flares to
dramatically increase this year and predict that coronal mass ejections headed towards earth could shut down power lines. Extreme solar storms can cause voltage surges across the globe resulting in grid collapse. Communi- cation satellites may have difficulty staying their course and some radio transmissions will be impeded. Thanks NASA for scaring the daylights out of me (no pun in- tended).
This news got me thinking…what would I do if suddenly there was no
electricity and no phone system? Do I have an emergency plan or a backup system? My answers to these questions were: don’t know, no and no. Realizing that I needed to find more satisfactory answers, I attended the
recent Emergency Preparedness Fair at the City of Temecula Civic Center. There I gathered tips about what I need to have on hand to help my family survive a disaster. I (read you) will need lots and lots of water, ditto food, cash, fuel, firewood, fire starter, matches, solar charging gadgets, radio, flashlights, candles, batteries, generator, toilet paper and medicines. I learned that communication is a top priority when disaster strikes.
When other types of transmissions fail the more than 2 million Ham Radio operators throughout the world step forward to help. “Ham Radio operators, via the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services
(RACES) program, are part of the backup communications plan that is in place throughout Riverside County,” said Zuzzette Bricker, South West Divi- sion Emergency Services Coordinator, Riverside County Fire Office of Emer- gency.
Gordon Neuls, a local Ham Radio operator advised me that the Golden
Triangle Ham Radio Club serves Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Lake Elsi- nore, Sun City, Hemet and San Diego County. Many of the members are li- censed to assist county and city emergency services when needed. Neuls teaches a course to prepare operators for the Technical Class Ham Radio License granted by the Federal Communications Commission. This license is required for operators to become part of the emergency communications link.
Temecula City Councilmember, Chuck Washington, said, “In any emer-
gency situation communication is one of the most crucial factors in keeping people safe and secure. I have learned that lesson through my experience in the Navy and as an airline pilot. HAM operators play a crucial role in pro- viding our community another tool to keep citizens and emergency respon- ders informed in any emergency scenario through our RACES program. That is why we established Temecula Outreach and operate a radio station. We have also created the opportunity for our citizens to sign up for reverse 911 calls. Another volunteer group, the Temecula Citizen Corp, has participated in emergency drills and is prepared to carry out their role in providing emer- gency services that compliment other emergency activities.” Knowing that the city and county where I reside have an emergency pre-
paredness plan makes me feel more secure. I appreciate the efforts of the Ham Radio operators and all the many volunteers who extend themselves in times of disaster. However, self-reliance is of the upmost importance and I know it is my responsibility to be prepared. I have begun gathering the nec- essary emergency essentials to see my family through a disaster. I found several online sites that were helpful in obtaining information and supplies to create an emergency kit. One local outfitter is Be Ready Inc, in Murrieta.
www.bereadyinc.com.
CERT CONTACTS BY CITY
City of Canyon Lake CERT Program Nancy Carroll, Chairman Canyon Lake Emergency Preparedness Committee 30301 White Cove Court Canyon Lake, CA 92587 (951) 244-8230
j.jnancyc2@verizon.net
City of Lake Elsinore CERT Program Rick De Santiago, Emergency Services 521 N. Langstaff St. Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 (951) 674-5170 ext. 295 or (951) 471-1251
rdesantiago@lake-elsinore.org
City of Menifee CERT Program Michael Anderson Emergency Services Coordinator 29714 Haun Road, Menifee, CA 92586 (951) 672-6777 or (951) 679-3843
manderson@cityofmenifee.us
City of Perris CERT Program David Martinez, City of Perris 135 North, Perris, CA 92570 (951) 443-1029 ext. 298
dmartinez@cityofperris.org
City of Temecula CERT Program Hans Bolowich, Fire Captain/ Paramedic, Cal Fire 30650 Pauba Rd. Temecula, CA 92592 (951) 712-3383
hans.bolowich@
fire.ca.gov
City of Wildomar CERT Program Paula Willette, Community Services Director City of Wildomar 23873 Clinton Keith Rd Ste. 201 Wildomar, CA 92595 (951) 677-7751 206
pwillette@cityofwildomar.org
Murrieta Fire Department CERT Program Dan Wilson, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Murrieta Fire Department 41825 Juniper Street, Murrieta, CA 92562 (951) 461-6158 or (951) 677-6799
dwilson@murrieta.org
MARCH 2013
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