1ST QUARTER 2017
WEST SENECA CERT SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 2006
1STQUARTER 2017
cOuld yOu SuRvive Being STuck in yOuR vehicle? Sit in your car and picture it – your whole
family in the car and it’s been four hours since you have been able to move amidst all the traffic. • What about the mom who didn’t pack the extra bottle? • What about the dad who had the ingredients for dinner? • What about the teenager who didn’t have a coat, water or food in her car? • What about the man who’s next round of medication was waiting at home? • Do I have enough gas in my car? • Do I have enough of a charge on my cell phone? Would I be ready if I had gotten caught in that traffic mess? Thinking about this scenario is a good place to start for having an emergency kit in your car. A few hours could easily be made more bearable by just having food, water, something for entertainment, a light source, and supplies for babies and medications. Watching gas levels is a good idea, too. Many people try to keep gas tanks at least half filled all the time. You would hate for the traffic jam to free up and then run out of gas while getting out of there. Most of us are aware another Snovember or October Storm could hit but are we prepared for it?
Some items to think about adding to your car emergency kit could be: • Cell phone, porcharger, and extra batteries • Emergency Heat Blankets (1 for each seat in car) • Regular Blankets • Windshield scraper • Battery-powered radio with extra batteries • Flashlight with extra batteries • Bottled Water & Snack food (that does not freeze) • Extra hats, coats, and mittens • Chains or rope • Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair • Road salt, sand or kitty litter • Booster cables • Emergency flares • Bright colored flag or help signs • First aid kit • Tool kit • Road maps • Compass • Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water • Paper towels & a roll of Toilet Paper • Hand sanitizer. There are so many things you can add depending on your family.
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Ready Erie App Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined by Commissioner of Emergency Services Daniel Neaverth, Jr. and emergency services personnel at the Public Safety Campus in Buffalo to unveil the new “Ready Erie” app, available for free and is designed for the iPhone, iPad, android and iOS systems. The multi-purpose app will allow users to receive critical information and emergency alerts through push notifications, locate Erie County’s emergency shelters, view up-to-date evacuation route maps, and create a personalized Emergency Preparedness Plan by answering five basic questions. “The Ready Erie app takes emergency planning and preparedness to the next level and will give users the information they need at the time they need it, helping them and their loved ones to respond to emergencies in a safe and organized manner,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “With this app we can communicate directly with our constituents, individuals can have access to critical alerts and updates to coordinate planning with family or co-workers, and stay on top of changing conditions. The app also has useful information on ways to prepare before disaster strikes, helping to mitigate damage and protect lives. I urge all residents to get the app and begin creating their own emergency plan.” Emergency Services Commissioner Dan Neaverth, Jr., added, “I’m repeatedly asked if there’s a single thing citizens can do to prepare and I always respond, have a plan. The ability to develop a step by step emergency plan customized specifically for your family is now just a free download away.” The app can be downloaded from the Erie County website at http://www2. erie.gov/ under the “Online Services” tab.he Ready Erie app is available on all major platforms. Source: www2. erie.gov/exec/index.php?q=press/poloncarz-officials-unveil-ready-erie-app
2nd Annual Training Event: Ricky Riley A Success The West Seneca Office of Disaster Preparedness is pleased to present a Ricky Riley Training Event on Saturday, October 1st. Training will run from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and will be held at the West Seneca East High School. Cost for the training event is $10 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Fireman’s Memorial Exhibit Center in West Seneca. Register online at www.wscert.net or www.fmecwny.org This 2nd Annual Training event will include a 4-hour interactive multi-media presentation that will discuss the presence and effects of complacency in the fire service along with how and why we must combat it. He will also discuss proven tips and techniques along with readiness of attitude and equipment on the fire scene. Food trucks will be on hand for attendees to purchase food and drinks. Ricky Riley is a 32 year member of the fire service and is currently the Operations Chief for the City of Clearwater, FL. As president of Traditions Training he lectures across the country on a number of fire service topics. Training event is sponsored by Bill Wirth Roofing and Siding, West Herr Auto, 716 PPE Consultants, and Clear Choice Cleaning Services.
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Outdoor winter clothing by Paul Gannon
Winter is upon us. It is important that we know how to protect ourselves when we venture outside. We are often told to dress in layers. However, what that means is rarely explained in detail. In this article, I will briefly review the classic “three layer” system. We loose heat in several ways. We radiate heat from our warm bodies into the cold air. We also transfer heat when we touch something colder. This occurs when we stand on cold ground or sit or lay on a cold surface. When we are wet, we lose heat faster than when we are dry. Finally, wind constantly draws heat from our bodies. An effective clothing system will slow heat loss from all these causes. With this system, cotton is considered a poor choice, because it soaks up moisture and dries very slowly. Indeed, some outdoor experts call it “death cloth”. The inner, wicking layer (commonly referred to as a base layer) is made up of materials that don’t absorb water and dry very quickly. They wick the moisture away from your body. This keeps a layer of warm, dry air up against your skin. You wear this layer as long underwear. Common fabrics for this layer are wool, polypropylene, and polyester. The middle layer is the insulating one. It holds in the heat and slows its loss to the outside air. The most common choices for this layer are fleece pants and jackets, although some people use wool or jackets stuffed with down or a synthetic substitute such as Primoloft. Several thin layers work better than one thick one. They may be removed or added as needed as you become more or less active. It is important not to become overheated, because that leads to sweating. When you sweat, your clothes become damp. As the moisture evaporates, it cools you down. The outer layer is the wind proof and waterproof/breathable layer. It allows moisture to evaporate from inside while protecting you from wind and wet. This should not contain any insulation. It should be a shell that you wear over your insulating layers. The best protection is provided by a wind proof and water proof/ breathable pair of pants and jacket with a hood,
made with Gortex or similar coating. To protect your feet, use several layers of wool socks and a snow boot with a thick liner. Make sure the socks and boots are large enough to fit easily. Cramming your foot with several pairs of socks into a tight boot will compress the insulation and cause cold feet. To these garments, you then add a warm hat, scarf, and gloves to complete the outfit. Gloves with a water resistant outer layer are best. Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
Power Outages Power outages can range from 30 seconds to days. Do you know what to do in the event of a power outage in our area?
Turn items off Make sure to turn off electrical items. When power comes back on, most devices demand a surge of power for start-up and every appliance, tool or gadget can taxes the electrical infrastructure again. Power surges can damage equipment and appliances. Purchasing and installing surge protectors help suppress voltage fluctuations.
Food If the power is out for less than 4 hours, then the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. • For the Freezer: A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it. • For the Refrigerated: Pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice. Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers good to use. • Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of your food right before you cook or eat it. Throw away any food that is more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water In an outage the water filtration systems may not work correctly or you may not have access to water at all. Here are some water tips • Do not use contaminated water to wash dish-
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instructions. es, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your • Ensure that the generahands, make ice, or make tor operates outdoors in baby formula. If possible, well-ventilated conditions, use baby formula that does well away from doors or not need to have water windows, to prevent exhaust added. gases from entering the house. • If you use bottled water, be sure it came from a safe • Connect lights and appliancsource. If you do not know es directly to the generator. where the water came from If extension cords must be boil or treat it before use. used, ensure they are propUse only bottled, boiled, or erly rated, CSA-approved treated water until your supcords. ply is tested and found safe.
Downed Power Lines
Lighting
Set all light switches off except If you find a power line is down for one. Leaving one light on stay away from it and let the will let you know when the utility company or emergency power comes back on. services know if you can. If you choose candles place • Consider all wires to be them on a solid, stable and dangerous. Wires that are noncombustible surface. Never de-energized may become leave a candle unattended. energized at any time. If you have pets keep an eye on • Stay at least 30 feet way them. from the wire. Make sure to have a fire extin• Electricity can go through tree limbs. Never touch or guisher handy. remove items that are touching or near a downed wire. Upcoming Training • Never use any object to move a downed wire. January If someone makes contact with 16 WS CERT Drill a downed power line, do not try Homeland Security to rescue them. Call 911
Generators Many residents may have generators to use in the case of emergencies. Pre-planning and practice runs can prevent injuries or death. Here are some tips • Never plug a generator into a wall outlet as serious injury can result when the current produced by the home generator is fed back into the electrical lines, and transformed to a higher voltage. • Follow the manufacturer’s
21 Emergency Preparedness Workshop for WNY Scouts February 20 WS CERT Drill
EMS / First Aid - What EMT’s Do
West Seneca John Gullo Emergency Manager (716) 558-3238 jgullo@twsny.org Meetings - 7:00 PM 3rd Monday of the month Training and meetings: West Seneca Central School Ebenezer Building 900 Mill Road West Seneca, NY 14224 Watch website and Facebook for training and meeting locations. Web: www.wscert.net Facebook: West Seneca Cert 2017 Drills: January 16th February 20th March 20th April 17th May 15th June 19th September 18th October 16th November 20th December 19th CERT Leaders: James Manley Ron Pawlewski Sue Pawlewski Karen Roward Dennis Schultz Tom Schuster
March 20 WS CERT Drill Creek Watch April 17 WS CERT Drill May 22 WS CERT Drill
CPR Class
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West Seneca
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