The Great Washington ShakeOut: https://www.shakeout.org/washington/
THE GREAT WASHINGTON SHAKE OUT
Washington is at a high risk for earthquakes. You could be anywhere when an earthquake strikes - at home, at work, at school, or even on vacation. Do you know what to do when the ground starts to shake?
The Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drills are an opportunity to practice how to be safer during earthquakes. Shake Out has been organized to encourage you, your community, your school, or your organization to upgrade emergency plans and supplies, and to secure your space in order to prevent damage and injuries.
When an earthquake strikes, will you know what to do? Learn how to protect yourself.
Amateur Radio: https://www.piercecountyares.net/web/
When disasters or large events occur, communication systems such as cell phones, landlines, and the internet may become overwhelmed, or may not function at all. In most cases, when this happens, Amateur Radio Operators (often referred to as hams for their use with ham radio) can still communicate in town, across the country, or around the world. Time and time again, Amateur Radio has proven itself to be a vital emergency resource, including during the September 11th attacks and Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, as example.
Amateur Radio Operators are Federally licensed and regularly practice their skills through training, drills, and real-world incidents. Many operators share a passion for assisting their communities with communication needs during and after large events or disasters, and for this reason will become affiliated as a volunteer with local jurisdictions, organizations, and agencies.
If you are thinking about becoming an Amateur Radio Operator, check out the Pierce County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) website to learn more about training opportunities and ways to get involved.
In 1960, a group of resuscitation pioneers combined mouth-to-mouth breathing with chest compressions to create Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, the lifesaving action we now call “CPR.” This action, when provided immediately after a sudden cardiac arrest, can double – even triple – a victim’s chance of survival.
CPR has saved lives for over 50 years! Have you ever taken a CPR class? Do you need to renew your CPR certification? Check out East Pierce Fire & Rescue CPR/AED/First Aid Training (Certified) for more information and to register for your class. You could help save a life.
National Weather Service SKYWARN Weather Spotter: https://www.weather.gov/sgx/skywarn
In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning cause hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions in property and crop damages. To obtain critical weather information, the National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program with between 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.
Although SKYWARN® spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the focus is reporting on severe local thunderstorms. In an average year, the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes.
Anyone can become a Weather Spotter with the SKYWARN program; all it takes is a couple hours of training and a desire to help your community. Training is free and is often held throughout the region. You also have the option of obtaining your certificate online. Visit Spotter and Skywarn® Information (weather.gov).
Did You Feel It?
When an earthquake occurs, geology and geography can have a big impact on who does and doesn’t feel it. Doing your part, even in a small tremor, can mean filling out a USGS “Did You Feel It?” report. These reports can help scientists at the USGS learn more about earthquakes, help make the ShakeMap and PAGER system more accurate, and help inform Emergency Managers about which areas may be impacted. With this critical information, governments, businesses, organizations, and people can take action to prevent and lessen damage from and earthquake.
Even if you didn’t feel it, that report can help prevent inaccurate reporting, so filling out a report when near a notable quake can help further our understanding of the ground beneath us.
Start your report here: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/dyfi/
