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Topics Fitness Food Health Natural Pamper Special Style Events Medical Directory Reader's Picks RSS Info About OHL Advertise Archive Photos Return to Mail Tribune NEWS NOW Pastor's sermon: "Violence will not have the last word" GOSIA WOZNIACKA, Associated Press TAMI ABDOLLAH, Associated Press Read Pastor's» Oregon shooter showed little sympathy in calculated killings GOSIA WOZNIACKA, Associated Press BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press Read Oregon shooter » Our View: Gun lobby's influence exceeds its support Read Our View: Gun» Pastor's sermon: "Violence will not have the last word" GOSIA WOZNIACKA, Associated Press TAMI ABDOLLAH, Associated Press Read Pastor's» Oregon shooter showed little sympathy in calculated killings GOSIA WOZNIACKA, Associated Press BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press Read Oregon shooter » Our View: Gun lobby's influence exceeds its support Read Our View: Gun» Zombies and Earthquakes and Fires, Oh My! According to many news reports, we are ever at risk from disasters of one kind or another that could interrupt life as we know it. From power outages to zombie invasions, how well prepared are you and your family for the challenge of life after a disaster? Okay, zombies, really? Probably not, but could you endure without the many conveniences we have become so accustomed to? Comment By CINDY QUICK WILSON MailTribune.com By CINDY QUICK WILSON Posted Oct. 6, 2014 at 2:00 AM By CINDY QUICK WILSON Posted Oct. 6, 2014 at 2:00 AM Basic Disaster Supplies Kit --> According to Ready.gov, a basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items: ? Water: one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinki... » Read more X Basic Disaster Supplies Kit According to Ready.gov, a basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items: ? Water: one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation ? Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food ? Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both ? Flashlight and extra batteries ? First aid kit ? Whistle to signal for help ? Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place ? Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation ? Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities ? Manual can opener for food ? Local maps ? Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger Knowledge is "Power" Southern Oregon is one of the most picturesque places on earth with a relatively mild climate, but that doesn't mean it is immune to natural disasters. Experts predict a long overdue earthquake to the south and/or the potential eruption of Mt. Rainier to the north. We've experienced flooding, wildfires and severe weather that can sometimes necessitate emergency measures. Add to that the threat of pandemics and "zombie attacks" and it's smart for Oregonians to be prepared. Jackson County has developed a Citizen Alert system that assists officials in providing critical information quickly. Residents may go to www.co.jackson.or.us , type "Citizen Alert" in the search box and sign up to receive phone, cell, text or email messages notifying them of emergency situations like flood, fire, road closures, evacuations or missing persons. Though area residents are fortunate that local emergency services have developed a comprehensive emergency response system, there is no substitute for individual preparedness. Jackson County Emergency Preparedness Guide says communication, including a well-thought-out family plan, is the first of many things to be considered. They advise preparing a power outage kit to include glow light sticks, flashlights, a battery powered radio, a corded telephone and an alternate heat source. Have tools handy and know where your utility shut-off valves and circuit breakers are located as gas leaks and damaged electrical equipment can trigger explosions or fires. Jackson County Resources for Emergency Preparedness Emergency Preparedness Guide www.co.jackson.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=100 Citizen Alert www.co.jackson.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=3640 National Resources for Emergency Preparedness www.ready.gov www.fema.gov Kids and Pets Must Be Part of the Plan Experts all agree that entire families, including the kids, need to take an active role in the development of any disaster plan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says having children involved in preparing for an emergency makes them "smarter and more resilient," gives them a greater sense of security and improves their chances for survival in an otherwise frightening situation. The communications plan should include what action they should take and a list of phone numbers, especially an out-of-town contact they can keep in their school bag or emergency kit. In the midst of chaos and confusion, don't forget that pets should be a part of your emergency plan. Kids can be tasked with gathering enough food for at least three days in a waterproof container, any prescribed pet medications, and plastic bags for pet pit stops. Leashes and collars that include identification information should be included in your ready bags. » Social News According to many news reports, we are ever at risk from disasters of one kind or another that could interrupt life as we know it. From power outages to zombie invasions, how well prepared are you and your family for the challenge of life after a disaster? Okay, zombies, really? Probably not, but could you endure without the many conveniences we have become so accustomed to? The zombies among us In October, the Medford REI store will present "Zombie Preparedness - Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse," a free, lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek class on survival and preparedness. "The concept around the class we teach here is about what to do in an emergency situation in an urban environment," explains Cynthia Biles, the store manager. She says being informed helps people discover what they may already have, what they may need to gather, and how to have it all ready to go. "We include first aid knowledge, shelter, what to do in your own home in both normal and cold environments. We also cover how to make sure your water is safe, food and food storage, filtration, signaling and communication. Then we have some fun with knowing your enemy during a zombie attack. Really, what we're talking about is identifying your risks." The idea of preparing for disasters can be unsettling. "We keep it fun with the whole urban emergency and zombie scenario," Biles says. "Along with the principles for survival, one of the most important things we teach is having a positive mental attitude. It's not really about fear or speculation about what could happen, it's more about how to be ready. The class is not intended to provide all the answers, but the basic structure covers some concepts that people might not have thought of and gives them resources so that they can make good decisions in terms of being prepared." Kids learn real skills with fun foes Learning practical survival skills helps build a lasting sense of confidence and self-reliance in children, says Joe Kreuzman, executive director of Coyote Trails School of Nature in Medford. He uses nature's classroom to teach survival skills. "Our preparedness education is pretty much incorporated in all of the classes we do. In summertime, our overnight camp up in the Cascades is when we can really affect how kids think about survival." The lessons Kreuzman teaches are real, life-saving techniques that would be practical for any age, but he and his staff are experts at engaging young minds. They have had great success using the popular concept of zombies as a framework for teaching survival skills. "By using 'surviving the zombie invasion,' we take the terminology that the kids are resonating with right now and work with that in a positive way to show them how we don't fear zombies and we don't fear survival. One of the things we do is to make a zombie potion out of medicinal edible plants and we brew it up into a sun tea. Then we fill water balloons up with it and if a zombie gets hit with this medicinal potion, the balloon blows up on them and it rids them of their 'zombiness.' It makes it fun as a game and starts to dispel some of the fear they might have absorbed from the mass media." Kreuzman says time spent in nature allows kids to "unplug" from their dependency on gadgets and games for entertainment. "We teach them about tracking, making fire by friction, building a shelter with nothing but what the earth is providing, staying found and skills of wilderness navigation. We also get into edible and medicinal plants and how to get safe potable water, even if you don't have water tablets or a water filter, or if your filter becomes unusable for some reason. Having these skills removes kids from being so attached to technology and the belief that they can only live if they have 'things.' We feel that we're bringing back these kids' connection to the natural world by bringing back that balance." Learn, plan and prepare "A lot of people think it's too scary to think about all this," says Marcy Young. She and her husband, Ben, own Southern Oregon Survival in Grants Pass. "Most of time we don't have advance notice with these things, so it's important to think ahead and have an idea about what you need to do. It can be something as simple as having a solar powered or hand-crank radio—it's amazing how much difference that can make. But it all starts with awareness. People will be at a loss when the worst happens and they can't Google survival techniques." There is no one-size-fits-all preparedness plan. "Many people just think about food, water and medical supplies but they don't realize there are so many other issues to consider," Young says. "Like how are you going to cook? Or what about sanitation and hygiene? Both are so important. Then there is transportation in the case of destroyed roadways and bridges. And how do we take care of our animals?" Here in the Northwest, we are much more likely to endure the consequences of natural disasters like wild fires, floods or severe weather, but more extreme scenarios should be considered. Being prepared for a nuclear attack or pandemic will require a different kind of preparedness than for a devastating power outage or widespread destruction of buildings and highways after an earthquake. But just thinking through some possible scenarios, developing a plan with your family and having several "go-bags" stashed and ready can make all the difference between pandemonium or taking fast, effective action. The Youngs field questions on survival techniques from customers every day. "People get overwhelmed by the whole preparedness idea, but we tell them they can educate themselves for free and make their own choices about what makes the most sense for them." Though there are many free planning tools available online to those who wish to learn more, Young says being prepared is more than just buying a few things from the store and thinking you're done. "We promote learning about being prepared. We want people to educate themselves, not just buy a kit, take it home and stick it in a closet and never think about it again." Southern Oregon Survival holds monthly classes that are open to anyone. "The classes here are all free because the more people we have within the community who are knowledgeable about this, the better off we are," Young says. By CINDY QUICK WILSON MailTribune.com By CINDY QUICK WILSON Posted Oct. 6, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Archive Terms of Use Privacy Policy Contact Us Advertise Careers Copyright © . Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Southern Oregon Media Group: Mail Tribune.com | Ashland Daily Tidings | Medford Nickel