Imagine one night each summer devoted to spending time in front of your home, getting to know passing neighbors, learning things you never knew about those who live right next door, and strengthening trust in your neighborhood. Sound good? That’s what “National Night Out” aims to achieve. (Find resources and information for National Night Out…
Category Archives: Resources
Think Earthquakes Sound Bad? Try Moonquakes
Before you decide to join Newt Gingrich’s planned moon colony, consider this: the moon is seismically active. According to scientists at NASA, moonquakes are caused predominantly by the Earth’s tidal pull on the moon. They tend to be smaller than earthquakes (up to magnitude 5) but because they travel through old, cold rock, which doesn’t…
When It’s Raining Cats & Dogs – Caring For Pets in an Evacuation
Our pets depend on us for opening the refrigerator, tossing a ball, and love, among other things. They also rely on us to protect them if an emergency requires us to evacuate our homes. Keep in mind that human shelters cannot take animals, and consider how you can protect your best friend if disaster strikes….
Emergency Prep On Your Smartphone
I love the way that smartphones bring libraries-full of information to our pockets. That includes the information we need to prepare for emergencies as well as instructions to respond to emergencies in the moment. For the iPhone, there is a wonderfully complete and easy-to-navigate app by evolvingmonkeys.com called simply Emergency Preparedness Checklist and Guide. Developed…
How Do You Cope With Stress in a Disaster?
Imagine an emergency in your area. Imagine that your neighbors and co-workers are suffering, not just physically, but emotionally as well. Can you help? Last month I completed the “Neighbor to Neighbor” course. Offered by the American Red Cross, it is designed to build coping skills and resilience in those people impacted by disasters….
Did You Feel That Earthquake?
Today is the 105th anniversary of the great San Francisco earthquake and fire. I was on the phone this afternoon with my friend Janine Adams, an organizing colleague in St. Louis, when I was interrupted by a sudden fierce jolt and a loud boom — an earthquake. I blurted to Janine something like, “Oh wow,…
Operation Photo Rescue
When stricken by a fire or flood, there are some things that insurance can replace — our furniture, clothes, and other possessions for example. But heirloom photographs have too often been irretrievably lost. One small group aims to change that. Operation Photo Rescue (OPR) is a volunteer network of professional photojournalists, amateur digital photographers, and…
Service Reconnects Loved Ones After a Disaster
One of the most distressing aspects of disasters is the prospect of being separated from loved ones and unable to communicate. Letting your family know that you are unharmed provides peace of mind. The Red Cross offers a service to make it easy to let your family know that you are safe and well. It’s…
If It Were Easy, You Would Have Done It Already – are your vital records ready to grab & go?
Maybe you’ve wanted to get ready for emergencies for a long time, but you’re confused about what tools to use and what steps to take. Maybe you know you should organize some important papers to grab and go, but somehow you still haven’t taken the time to gather your vital records. Emergencies can happen to…