BS: Should another tragedy occur

Subject: Should another tragedy occur
From:
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 11:06 AM

I think we need to consider the possibility, and plan accordingly for communication. I was horrified to hear so many people say recently "I was on the phone for hours." That means that others could not get on the phones, including those who were possibly trapped, or who could have made a final call to their loved ones. Or to emergency numbers. I don't know what the exact answer is, but I know we need to minimize our phone and computer use and keep the lines open for emergencies. If we have family we should have some sort of phone tree so that only one person reaches the one in the area, and calls others. If we are in a bad area, perhaps we could put a message on the machine and say everyone is accounted for, or someone is in this hospital, and I am not going to be answering the phone so I can keep the lines clear. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 11:16 AM

Thank you for the common sense. It infuriated me to see people cell phone chatting on the street while three feet away a young woman was in tears trying to get through to her father in the WTC. I had NO LOCAL PHONE for over a week due to busy circuits. Occasional calls of "I'm OK" got through but almost all my contact was via the internet. Of course, getting connected was a feat as well.
My father will probably be the center for our contact since he is usually at home and has a computer. He can email the rest of us with news of family members. I hope everyone takes this seriously and makes a plan both for their own peace of mind and to keep the lines open for emergency calls. That first day, people trapped in the wreckage used sell phones to contact the outside world. A last desperate hope for being found.

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 11:20 AM

I know not everyone can do so, but it helps to have cable access, rather than use phone lines for internet access.

I am already the main contact person, by default, in our family, so that's covered.

Good points, Maryg and Sinsull. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 11:25 AM

I recommended in another thread the American Red Cross material on planning, on the personal and family level, for disasters. There are some basic, non-panic-based steps anyone can and should take, to be prepared at ALL times for ALL sorts of disaster. Your local chapter will also have, or can get, inexpensive videos that demonstrate most of the following.

CLICK HERE to see a list of all disaster preparedness materials available online or through your local chapter. Below are exerpts from the list, describing the items I found most pertinent in my Red Cross presentations to the community.

~Susan

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GENERAL PREPAREDNESS

Emergency Preparedness Checklist
4-page, 3-color brochure helps families examine ways to prepare each household member and their home for disasters. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 as stock number A4471 for a nominal fee.

Your Family Disaster Plan
4-page, 3-color brochure describing four steps to disaster safety--finding out what can happen, planning, preparing, and practicing. Local Red Cross chapters can order printed copies in packages of 25 as stock number A4466 (English version) or A4466S (Spanish version) for a nominal fee. The following versions are available on-line: Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog

Disaster Supplies Kit
4-page, 3-color brochure that gives information on how to assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit and a checklist for items to place in it. Local Red Cross chapters can order printed copies in packages of 25 as stock number A4463 (English version) or A4463S (Spanish version) for a nominal fee. Also available on-line: Cambodian version, Chinese version, English version, Korean version, Spanish version, Tagalog version, Vietnamese version

Checklist for People with Mobility Problems
4-page, 3-color brochure designed to provide guidance on disaster preparedness for people who have mobility problems. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 as stock number A4497 for a nominal fee.

Food and Water in an Emergency
4-page, 3-color brochure that gives information on how to store water, water purification, water sources, and food storage. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 as stock number A5055 for a nominal fee. Also available on-line in these versions: Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Safety Information for Short-Term Power Outages or "Rolling Blackouts".
A fact sheet providing tips and information on how to deal with short-term power outages. Available on-line. Attribution: American Red Cross.

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ESPECIALLY FOR USE WITH CHILDREN

Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book
24-pages. Designed for children ages 3-10 and a "helper" to discuss disasters that can happen and ways to get ready for them. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 in English as stock number A2200 and in Spanish as A2200S for a nominal fee. Also available on-line: English version, Spanish version, Vietnamese version,

Video: Adventures of the Disaster Dudes.
Video-based program comes with a Presenter's Guide and a 14-minute video. The video is designed to be shown in three segments that feature children describing what a disaster really is, information on correct response, and how to create a family disaster plan. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order as stock number A5024 for a nominal fee.

Helping Children Cope With Disaster
4-page brochure with information on helping children prepare for and cope with disasters. Covers activities in which children can join in, as well as how to help children recover from and understand the effects of disaster. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 as stock number A4499 in English and as A4499S in Spanish for a nominal fee. Available in these versions: Chinese, English, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese

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FOR BUSINESSES

Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry.
78-page Guide provides step-by-step advice on how a business can create and maintain a comprehensive emergency management program. It can be used by retailers, manufacturers, corporate offices, utilities, or any organization where a sizable number of people work or gather. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 5 as stock number A5025 for a nominal fee. Also available on-line.

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 11:36 AM

I've found on several occasions when phone lines are down in my area due to tornado, overuse, and yes once a hurricane...for a short period of time I can call out, usually long distance but not locally. One call to a distant relative is possible when no calls can come in and local calls out are impossible. Then also, short wave radio persons are on the air all over the world and can relay messages.

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 11:45 AM

The previous post was all business. This one is more personal.... it's that during the whole Red Cross buildup for Y2K, there were two themes running that I think we need to think about now.

First, people reacted, unconsciously, with all the fear saved up from the cold war and the rehearsals of atomic war drills many of us experienced as schoolchildren. And Y2K was not going to be anything like an atomic attack even if the worst occurred. People were not thinking flexibly and accurately. They wanted to do things like hoard bread and guns when what they really needed to do was be sure on water and heat, and communications. Because the communities had plenty of food right at the stores... but it was winter, hello! Heat! Frozen water lines! Duh!

Second, the preparedness that was actually recommended for Y2K-- the non-panic-mode stuff-- amounted to what we should alll think about, all the time. A lot of peole, deciding Y2K was all hype, did not take those basic steps then. But those ARE the basic steps we may really NEED to take now. And if people are dismsissing concerns now because they found the Y2K thing so overblown, they may miss some simple planning now that could make a big difference.

Another thing. In Red Cross we learned about a way of responding to emergency I had never really heard about-- "Sheltering in Place." It meant, being prepared to hunker down at home and ride out an environmental incident.

In such a situation, emergency management authorities can declare either an EVACUATION situation or a SHLETER IN PLACE situation, and we must comply.

For sheltering in place, you need to have the disaster supplies up to date, and you need a LOT of duct tape for windows, doors, cracks.

Shelters are so publicized that few of us are prepped for sheletering in place. Well, we hill and country folk are-- it's called being ready for the big one (blizzard) with a full bathtub, a full pantry, gas in the vehicles, etc.

Anyway, people, please give these factors some thought. Calmly and sensibly, and with present-time thinking rather than fear.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 12:05 PM

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Luke 12

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 12:08 PM

Yes... but the Bible also tells us to count the cost, do our part, be good stewards of what we have.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: Mrrzy
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 12:09 PM

MGarvey, great advice.

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 01:00 PM

I strongly second what Mary Garvey says above.

I can look at this with a somewhat expert eye. Between 1977 and 1985, my day job was working as a telephone operator for Pacific Northwest Bell (the name has changed so many times since then, I haven't a clue as to what they're calling it now). I was working on Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, when Mount St. Helens erupted. Within seconds after the eruption, radio and television stations were on the air with it. And within seconds after the news broke, everyone was on the phone. Within about ten minutes after the eruption, the lines were completely jammed. People would dial a number and all they could get was the "busy circuits" signal (it sounds like a busy signal, but faster). In some locales, they couldn't even get a dial tone. A minuscule percentage of these were emergency calls. Almost all of the rest were "Everything's fine here, Aunt Martha. How is it out your way?" or "We can't see it from here. Can you see it out your front window?" Real emergency calls could not get through, and there was not that damn thing we could do about!

Unless you have a real emergency call, or need to check on someone who may be in danger (and you can actually do something about it), stay the hell off the phone!!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 01:30 PM

Here's another vote for the phone tree system.

On a related note I can tell you that the answering machine can really come in handy in some situations. When my son was ill - and later died - last December we got dozens and dozens of calls from friends and relatives. I was telling people the same depressing details over and over again until I felt I was going to scream. Then a friend suggested that I leave a message on my answering machine that people could access when they called the house. It saved a lot of wear and tear on my emotions. And we could screen the calls to see if it was someone we wanted to talk to at the time or if it was someone that could wait until later. Plus people could get the info they needed if we were home or not. And at times like this you spend a LOT of time at the hospital. There is only so many times that you can hear "You are in our thoughts and prayers" and "Is there anything we can do? "

It's just a suggestion. And it might come in handy when the next earthquake/flood/crisis happens. And I hate to say it but in todays world it's WHEN not IF.

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 01:48 PM

Compared with what ordinary people are going through in Afghanistan right now, and the reasons for worrying for the future that they have, we haven't that much to worry about.

You can poison your life by worrying too much. Whoever did the Two Towers is, in the overall scale of things, small and weak. No batteries of hundreds of H-bombs in supersonic rockets, or atomic submarines prowling around the globe.

Keep it in proportion. It was a horrible thing and a dreadful shock and unexpected. But the scale of it didn't compare with that of many earthquakes. Grieving is right, and thinking about priorities is right, but not panic.

One of the most sensible ways to respond to all this would be for people to realise that it's more important to spend time with the people they love rather than working all God's hours to get more money than they need. And to cut down on those needs. All right the economists might not like that kind of response, but that just means people need to reshape an economy that encourages us to waste our lives.

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 01:54 PM

Should another tragedy occur???

Don't you mean, "when"??

I'm kinda surprised that a phone company doesn't have the ability to 'clear' the lines as it were... Seems like the exact sort of thing they should be able to do eh...

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 06:22 PM

Clinton, the only way they could "clear" the lines is to shut down the entire system, which is a bit counter-productive. Otherwise, they would have to -- somehow -- monitor every call and decide what was an emergency call and what wasn't. While volcanoes are erupting and skysdrapers are collapsing, unrelated medical and other emergencies still come up, and people have to be able to make "911" calls. No, about all they can do is get the broadcast media to beg people not to use the phone unless they absolutely have to. Or pray for a sudden, wide-spread attack of common sense, which doesn't seem all that likely.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: Gareth
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 06:32 PM

Yes they can clear the lines - airwaves. But that has been for the benefit of the Military / Civil defence.

If your not logged as a priority phone - no conection.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: SharonA
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 07:02 PM

Seems to me that some system could be put in place whereby outgoing cell-phone calls from a pinpointed location (within the rubble of a destroyed building) would be allowed to go through but other calls — particularly non-911 calls — would be blocked for a specified period of time during an emergency.

I'm sure it would be a lot of trouble for such a system to be implemented... but changes are already being made that were too much trouble to bother with before September 11th.

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Oct 01 - 08:24 AM

I thought the big problem with the Towers and phones was that the aerials for relaying the signals had been on the collapsed buildings.

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: Troll
Date: 02 Oct 01 - 09:06 AM

Dang good point mgarvey. Everybody seems to have a cell phone epoxied to the side of their head these days. They are afraid to be out of touch. I assume that they need constant reassurance that they still exist.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 01:57 PM

In light of the FBI alert of yesterday, and news items today, I thought we might bring this thread back up and give some additional thought to personal safety.

Please see my posts above regarding personal and family preparedness for disasters.

Please also remember to keep phone lines clear should conditions warrant.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Should another tragedy occur
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 05:38 PM

I simple $10 kiddie pool in the basement with 2 drops of chorine per gallon and covered should help out.