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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... FROM THE COUNCIL From the Council: Don't wait to prepare Comment By Clay Bearnson MailTribune.com By Clay Bearnson Posted Sep. 6, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Clay Bearnson Posted Sep. 6, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News "Don't Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today." That's the theme of this years' National Preparedness Month, which kicked off Sept. 1. Now, as much as we'd like to believe that, given our advantageous geographical positioning, we are somehow impervious to natural disasters, we're not. Granted, the Rogue Valley does have many natural resources nearby that could help our survival should something devastating happen. But nature's unpredictability leaves us at its mercy. The fact is that we never really know when or where disaster will strike. Nature is fickle and has a way of reminding us humans how small and vulnerable we really are. At a moment’s notice, we could be put in a situation that requires us to be self-sufficient and able to survive for multiple days until disaster relief shows up to help. As we've witnessed in the not-to-distant past, sometimes that relief can lack expediency. An Emergency Preparedness Plan can make a difference in the survival and communication of your family, friends, and neighbors in a time of crisis. Personally, I'm far from a professional in this subject matter, but I do know that predetermined meeting places, lines of communication, food and water storage and first aid are all things to take into consideration when preparing your plan (don't forget pet needs if you are a pet owner). There's always the chance you will not be with your loved ones when something happens. So, it is important to set a meeting spot that you will all go to during a crisis. You should also take into consideration that Medford is split in half by bridges that span I-5 and, perhaps, set up an alternate meeting place or direct your loved ones to another family members' house that is on the opposite side of the freeway. I'd imagine that, in this technological era, there are a substantial amount of people that are accustomed to just hitting the "call" button. If that's your case, then you might want to keep a list of important phone numbers just in case there's no power to charge your cell phone. Landlines, however antiquated they may seem to you younger folk, can work in a power outage. Another thing to keep in mind is cell towers might be pushing capacity during a crisis. Sending a text message, or SMS, uses far less data than a phone call and can up your chances of maintaining communication. A first-aid kit comprising personal prescriptions, Band-Aids, antibiotic/pain relieving ointments, basic medications, gauze, etc. is a must have. Medical attention might be heavily constrained due to the overall nature of natural disaster. Food and water storage is probably the most important part of your preparedness. A minimum of three days of both is recommended, but it doesn't take much more to increase your storage to a couple of weeks’ worth. You also don't have to run out and buy it all at once. I make it a point to grab one or two things each time I go shopping. Make sure you rotate stock each time you supplement your storage to avoid outdated supplies. You also might want to get in the habit of keeping an unopened bag of dog/cat food on hand, and replacing the backup once you open the new bag. Keep in mind that this is not something to be taken lightly. There is a statistic out there that says that the Pacific Northwest has a 40 percent chance of an earthquake with a magnitude of 9 or higher within the next 50 years. The degree of which you prepare could quite literally make the difference of life or death. Hopefully, the above information sets you and your family in the right direction as you prepare your emergency plan. As I had previously mentioned, I am not a professional prepper. If you would like to expand your horizons, there are a boat load of websites that can help you fine-tune your plan. You can visit ready.gov or go to the city of Medford website, ci.medford.or.us , and click on the "Emergency Preparedness" link on the right-hand side of the page. There you will find information regarding Medford's Emergency Plan as well as a link to a PDF containing Jackson County's Emergency Preparedness Handbook. If you really feeling like getting involved, you can sign up for the next Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) training at [email protected]. Clay Bearnson is a member of the Medford City Council. The views expressed in this piece are the individual Councilor’s and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the City Council. By Clay Bearnson MailTribune.com By Clay Bearnson Posted Sep. 6, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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