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We may have to rely on each other in case of disaster. Knowing what to do, could make a huge difference.
Immediately after a disaster occurs, local emergency responders will be overwhelmed with calls for help. This is one reason why we promote 2-1-1, which will provide critical information about evacuation routes, food and shelter when emergency-response phone numbers are over burdened.
But there is a role that we all could play after a disaster if we are prepared to do so. This month’s disaster preparedness tip from www.do1thing.us encourages anyone who is able, to join a Community Emergency Repsonse Team (CERT). There are many variations of this around the Bay Area, in San Francisco for instance, they refer them to as Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams (NERT). Either way, the premise is the same.
Community Emergency Response Teams receive training so they know what to do during the wait for first responders to arrive – whether it takes five minutes or five days.
At the trainings, they teach people how to help themselves and their community for the first 72 hours after an emergency and show them simple but useful tasks like turning off utilites, basic CPR, and how to coordinate and work together with others that have similar training. This video (not the best quality – turn down your sound) from CBS 5 does a good job of explaining the basis of SF NERT training and why it is very useful. Anyone can be a Community Emergency Response Team member, regardless of their age or physical condition. All that is required is a willingness to do what you can to help others.
Even if you can’t be part of a CERT just looking out for others in your community can be great way to help in a disaster. Do 1 Things recommends the following easy steps to take this month:
- Attend a Neighborhood Watch or neighborhood association meeting
- Connect with an isolated individual in your neighborhood
- Become a volunteer in your community
- Host a neighborhood get together
To find out more about how to prepare for disaster visit Do 1 thing, and remember the goal as always is to be able to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours following a disaster. To find out more about San Francisco NERT, call 2-1-1. To find the nearest CERT training or team near you, try this handy search tool.
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