SPM-EP’s first community education class on “Building Your Home Emergency Plan” was well and enthusiastically attended on August 9th.  Local Fireman with TVF&R, Chris Mills, who is a neighbor volunteer, gave an overview of the community emergency plan being created for our area.

Matt Goodwin, a preparedness specialist with Yamhill County Emergency Management, was the guest speaker on the main topic of Your Home Emergency Plan.

Wade Parkin, a neighbor volunteer, displayed items and lists from his emergency kit for a great example of supplies to include.

A plethora of hand outs were available covering all topics surrounding emergency preparedness, different types of disasters, how to create your plan, check list of items to go into your kits, and much more.

Linda Edwards, a neighbor volunteer, announced the release of our website: www.SPM-EP.org. It is filled with information on our emergency plan, maps, upcoming training schedule, resources, as well as many of the handouts provided in the class.  By going to the contact page, a Facebook link will allow you to join our group through social media.

Linda discussed the importance of completing the neighbor resource questionnaire, and returning it to Phil Morton.  Forms were handed out, and are also available to download from the website. Linda stated that “In order for our plan to work, we need to know the people it serves and the skills, equipment and resources available to pull from when disaster strikes.  This plan is all about neighbors helping neighbors.”

The next community education class (held at Hope Fellowship Church) is Tuesday, August 23rd at 7pm, topic: Building Your Emergency Kits. It will dive deep into creating your Emergency Kits. Great tips, ideas, examples and resources from an expert survival skills instructor.  Class will also have a representative from Mountain House Foods, a local Oregon company who has been making freeze dried foods for emergency, military, & camping, for nearly 50 years. We might even have an opportunity to sample a meal!

Please register for classes at: www.SPM-EP.org

There are multitudes of books out on the subject of preparation and survival, but this is one of the best.  There are books that go into a lot more technical depth, but this book is very complete, has a HUGE amount of useful information, and is easy and enjoyable to read.

This book can be found on Amazon and elsewhere for under $20, which makes it an excellent value for the information it contains.

This book should be kept with your emergency supplies, and used as a reference should you need it in a disaster.

Give it a read!

Disclaimer – This review reflects the opinions of the author only, and does not necessarily portray the views of the LHNA or SPM-EP Boards or members.

Here is a very good publication produced by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVFR).
This has some very good preparation tips.  Click on the link below to view.

BeforeDisaster TVFR

It’s generally advisable to try to store as much of your emergency supplies as you can in a central location.  One idea, is to use rolling trash or recycling containers.  These will hold a lot of your supplies, and be easy to transport in case you need to evacuate your home for any reason.

How to Survive Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Oregon

This is an excellent publication, produced by Humboldt Earthquake Education Center at Humboldt State University, and adapted and reproduced by Oregon Emergency Management, and the Oregon Department of Geology.  It contains much very good information which you can use to prepare your family for emergencies.

Click on the link below.

Living on Shaky Ground Magazine