COLUMN: Join Salem’s emergency response volunteers

Salem’s Community Emergency Response Team needs you!

Yes, that’s right, you… Wait, didn’t we just do this? Didn’t we discuss how, in the immediate aftermath of a major disaster when professional first responders might be stretched to their limits, the best people to help are those already there: you, me, and our neighbors?

Well, yes. Yes, we did. But the reason we’re back again is that the need for a resilient community never takes a day off. Our winter CERT session recently came to a conclusion, and we are incredibly proud of the new group of trainees for the time and effort they put in. But as that class finishes, a new opportunity has opened for those of you who missed out last time.

The next CERT training series is officially scheduled to begin this month. The program is designed to turn your concern for our community into practical, life-saving action. The curriculum is comprehensive, covering the foundations of personal preparedness and team organization. Throughout the course, you’ll learn the mechanics of disaster medical operations—including triage and basic first aid—alongside “utility controls” and fire safety techniques that can prevent a manageable situation from turning into a catastrophe. We also explore the realities of light search and rescue, the complexities of disaster psychology, and how CERT fits into the broader picture of community safety.

The journey begins Thursday evening, April 9, and continues every Thursday for six weeks: April 16, 23, and 30, followed by May 7 and 14. Each session runs from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fire Station #6 Training Room, 2740 25th St. S.E. To bring everything you’ll learn together, the class concludes with an exciting, hands-on mock drill on Saturday morning, May 16, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, followed immediately by our class graduation.

To become a member of CERT, you must attend all sessions. This ensures that everyone is fully prepared to work together when the time comes. We provide the training and the tools; all we’re missing is you. Preregistration is required. If you have questions about the registration process, please contact Lola Hackett at [email protected].

The lifeblood of resilience: water

If the “10,000-foot view” of food was about familiarity and balance, the view of your water plan is about one thing: Volume. In the emergency management world, we’ve moved past the old 72-hour suggestion. Why? Because in a major Cascadia event, our complex grid of pipes and pumps could be sidelined for much longer than three days. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management 2 Weeks Ready program emphasizes a 14-day supply because that is the window where you shift from “waiting for help” to “sustaining yourself.”

The math is simple but sobering: One gallon per person, per day. For a family of four, that is 56 gallons. If you have a dog or a cat, you need to add more. This water isn’t just for drinking; it’s for basic hygiene and very limited food prep.

Now, don’t let that number scare you into doing nothing. You don’t need a massive industrial tank in your backyard today. A good water plan is a “layered” plan. It starts with the “wet water” you have on hand, such as bottled water or filled food-grade containers, and is backed up by the ability to treat more water using filters or purification tablets. Remember: in a pinch, your water heater is a 40-to-50-gallon “emergency tank” sitting right in your garage. Perhaps not necessarily for drinking, but it could be used to meet other water needs such as cleaning and sanitation, allowing you to save your bottled and filtered water for drinking.

One final tip for your water plan: water is a living thing, and it doesn’t last forever. If you are storing water in your own containers, make a plan to rotate that supply every six months. For store-bought bottled water, check the ‘best by’ dates annually. A great way to stay on top of this is to tie your water rotation to the changing of the clocks or your smoke detector battery checks.

When you rotate, don’t let that old water go to waste, use it to water your garden or your houseplants, then refill your containers with a fresh supply. Keeping your water ‘on a schedule’ ensures that when you actually need it, it’s as clean and refreshing as the day you put it aside.

The 2 Weeks Ready roadmap: April edition

As we move into our fourth month of preparation, we are focusing on rounding out our nutrition and looking after our most vulnerable “roommates.”

Week 13: The garden in a can (vegetables)

Last month we grabbed our fruits; this week, we add the veggies. Aim for 1 to 1.5 cans per person, per day. These provide the fiber and minerals that keep your body functioning properly during high-stress events.

• Pro-tip: Just like the fruit, look for “low-sodium” options if possible to help conserve your drinking water supply.

Week 14: Protecting the little ones (baby essentials)

If you have an infant or a toddler, their needs take absolute priority. This week, set aside a dedicated “baby bin.” It should include at least a two-week supply of diapers, formula (even if you are breastfeeding, stress can affect supply), wipes, and changes of clothes.

• Pro-tip: Don’t forget a few small, quiet toys. Keeping a child calm is a massive part of keeping a household calm.

Week 15: Our four-legged family (pet supplies)

Our pets rely on us for everything. This week, build a pet-specific kit. You’ll need 14 days of their regular food, extra water (calculate about an extra quart per day for a medium dog), a sturdy leash, and a pet first aid kit.

• Pro-tip: Keep a current photo of your pet in your kit in case you are separated during an evacuation.

Week 16: The “go” factor (storage & mobility)

By now, your supplies are likely taking up some real estate. This week, focus on organization. Use large plastic totes to keep everything together. Clear totes are great for seeing what’s inside, but even a large rolling suitcase can work. The goal is to have your “2-week” supply organized so that if you are told to evacuate, you aren’t searching for individual cans of tuna, you’re just grabbing the bin and heading for the door.

Coming Up in May

Next month, we’ll take a look at the topic no one likes to talk about, but everyone needs to plan for: the waste and hygiene plan. When the literal ‘flush’ stops working, how do you maintain dignity and health in your home? We’ll look at the OEM guidelines for emergency sanitation and why your ‘two-bucket’ system might be the most important kit you build. Our roadmap will shift from the pantry to the medicine cabinet and the tool bench as we secure sanitation supplies, learn the life-saving science of bleach for water disinfection, and ensure we have a reliable AM/FM/NOAA radio to stay connected when the internet and cell towers go dark. Preparedness isn’t just about what you eat, it’s about how you stay clean and informed. Plus, we’ll have a front-row seat for our April CERT class as they head into their final weeks of training.

Correction: This article referred to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management as the Office of Emergency Management. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.

Salem Reporter publishes a regular column from Mark Wardell, West Salem team leader for Salem’s Community Emergency Response Team, focusing on emergency preparedness and planning.

If you have any questions about this article, preparedness in general, or if you’d like to inquire about joining CERT or scheduling a CERT presentation for your organization, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Mark Wardell, at [email protected].

STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].

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