COLUMN: How to get involved in Salem’s emergency preparedness

Editor’s note: Salem Reporter is publishing a new regular column from Mark Wardell, West Salem Team Leader for Salem’s Community Emergency Response Team, focusing on emergency preparedness and planning.

What is CERT?

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. This is a free program that educates volunteers about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as emergency preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

It was developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985 to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters. The program is now sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is offered in communities across the United States. Salem CERT is sponsored by the City of Salem Fire Department under the direction of the city’s emergency manager. And more locally, Mark Wardell (that’s me) has taken over as team leader for West Salem CERT, with Will Conley and Sophie Sparling accepting roles as Assistant Team Leaders to serve alongside me.

Volunteers are trained to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following a disaster when professional responders are not immediately available to help. They can also help with disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.

There are many reasons why someone might want to join CERT. Here are a few:

• To help their community. CERT volunteers play an important role in helping their communities prepare for and respond to disasters. They can assist with evacuations, search and rescue, and medical aid. They can also help with disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.
• To learn valuable skills. CERT training teaches volunteers a variety of skills that can be useful in an emergency, such as fire safety, first aid, and light search and rescue. These skills can also be helpful in everyday life.
• To meet new people and make a difference. CERT is a great way to meet new people and get involved in your community. CERT volunteers are a dedicated group of individuals who are committed to helping others.

Here are some specific examples of how CERT volunteers have helped their communities:

• In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, CERT volunteers helped with search and rescue efforts and provided medical aid to victims.
• During the 2010 wildfires in California, CERT volunteers helped to evacuate residents and protect homes from the flames.
• In the aftermath of the 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri, CERT volunteers helped with cleanup and recovery efforts.

CERT is a valuable program that can help communities become more resilient to disasters and make a real difference in the lives of people affected by disasters. It is a great way for volunteers to learn valuable skills to help themselves and their neighbors, meet new people, and make a difference in their community.

Being 2 Weeks Ready

Living in Salem means enjoying a beautiful state, but we also need to be aware of potential emergencies. Here’s a look at some common threats to be aware of:

• Earthquakes: Oregon sits near a major fault line, making earthquakes a concern. A large quake could disrupt utilities, damage buildings, and trigger landslides.
• Flooding: Willamette Valley rivers can rise quickly, causing flooding that isolates neighborhoods and cuts off power.
• Wildfires: Dry summers and strong winds increase wildfire risk. Smoke inhalation and property damage are major concerns.
• Ice storms: Winter storms can coat trees with ice, leading to power outages and downed power lines.
• Other disruptions: Power outages from various causes, volcanic ashfall (less common, but a possibility), and hazardous material spills are other potential threats.

Being 2 weeks ready means having the necessary supplies on hand to sustain yourself and your family for an extended period without outside assistance. This includes a two-week supply of non-perishable food and bottled water for everyone in your household. Don’t forget to consider dietary restrictions and pet needs when compiling your food stockpile.

A well-stocked first aid kit is crucial for treating minor injuries and illnesses that may occur during an emergency. Include bandages, pain relievers, antiseptics, and any medications you or your family take regularly.

Maintaining sanitation and hygiene remains important even during emergencies. Stock up on essentials like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and personal hygiene products to ensure your well-being.

Power outages are a common consequence of many emergencies. Having flashlights and extra batteries will allow you to navigate safely in the dark.

Staying informed is vital during emergencies. A battery-powered radio or a portable phone charger will allow you to receive updates and instructions from local authorities.

You never know when the day before is the day before; prepare for tomorrow. A little preparation goes a long way. By being 2 weeks ready, you can face these emergencies with more confidence and keep yourself and your loved ones safe. In the coming months I will be using this monthly article to review the steps to become 2 weeks ready. If you would like to read ahead, you will find all the information provided by the Oregon Office of Emergency Management by visiting the official 2 Weeks Ready website.

Bringing CERT to you

One of the CERT mandates is to help our community to become better prepared for potential emergencies. These could include things as simple as an extended power outage, snow/ice storms, or the worst-case scenario, the predicted earthquake we all hope never comes.

If you know of a group of people, such as church and civic groups, HOAs, retirement communities, who would like to learn more about being better prepared, we would be willing to come and do a presentation for your group. Our presentation would cover things from the very basics and build to more advanced topics. Each presentation could be tailored, at least in part, for your specific group.

If you would like to discuss a presentation for your group, please reach out to me at [email protected].

We need you

If CERT sounds like something you would like to be a part of, joining is easy. There is some training involved, but let’s get acquainted first. If you would like to learn more, or get in touch with CERT members near you, please reach out and let me know. I can be reached at [email protected], and I’ll put you in touch with the CERT team nearest you.

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