Debra Sinick

Archive for the ‘Safety and Disaster Preparedness’ Category

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A Free Opportunity to Learn About Disaster Preparedness

In Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on December 6, 2010 at 11:05 pm

This is important!  Here’s a free opportunity to learn more about how to handle disasters if one happens in our Kirkland community.  Best of all, you can learn about this by sitting in front of your computer.  The following is the press release from Robin Pasteur.

 

“Formidable Footprint”
A Neighborhood Tabletop Exercise

December 8, 2010
For its last program for 2010, EMForum.org is pleased to host a one hour presentation and interactive discussion Wednesday, December 8, 2010, beginning at 9:00 AM. Our topic will be the “Formidable Footprint” series of community exercises developed, facilitated, and evaluated by a team of national, regional, and state organizations under the leadership of the Disaster Resistant Communities Group. This exercise series is open to neighborhood groups at no charge and is conducted via the Internet-based application, the ON-Line eXercise (ONX) System. Our program will feature a live demonstration of elements included in the exercise scenario.

Our guest will be Chris Floyd, Principal with the Disaster Resistant Communities Group, and formerly Chief Operations Officer with the Florida Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mr. Floyd has over 31 years of experience providing disaster planning and preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation activities and, over the course of his career, has delivered hundreds of Disaster Services training courses designed to prepare thousands of volunteers to assist their community when disaster strikes.

Please make plans to join us, and see the Background Page for related materials and Instructions. If this will be your first time to participate, please check your connection at least a day in advance by clicking on the Live Meeting Login link. The Live Meeting client must be used in order to access the audio and view the demo.
Robin Paster, PIO, 425-587-3659
Community Education & Information
Kirkland Fire and Building Department

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It’s Fire Prevention Week In Kirkland, WA-Here’s My Two Cents

In Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on October 4, 2010 at 10:06 am

Kirkland Fire prevention Week is October 3rd-9th. This year’s fire prevention theme is “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!”

From Robin Paster,  Kirkland Fire Department Press Release:

In the early hours of July 2, 2010, a smoke alarm woke a local resident, whose

town home caught on fire.  The early warning allowed him to escape without

injury, call 911, alert neighbors and move a dog to safety, while fire crews

contained the fire to just his home.  Without a working smoke alarm, the

resident would likely have lost his life due to smoke inhalation, before waking.

Install smoke detectors in your home.  The smoke alarms may save your life.  But don’t forget to change the batteries each time you change the time on your clock.  (twice a year)  Your smoke detectors need to work, too! I’ve had a client lose their home to a fire and it’s the most devastating thing.  Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire.

Smoke alarms are critical for safety, but I am going to throw my own two cents in here and suggest you to have a fire extinguisher on hand, too. It’s important to have a fire extinguisher, it’s also important to check or replace it on a regular basis.  There are places to get the fire extinguisher checked out so that it remains in good working order.

So two fire safety tips here.  Can you think of some other tips?

Kirkland WA’s (MYN) Mapping Your Neighborhood Meeting Was A Success

In Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on May 28, 2010 at 8:56 am

Did you feel the earthquake the other day? It was centered in Carnation, but was felt in a lot of places on Seattle’s eastside.  The Kirkland neighbors who crowded into Peter Kirk Elementary’s gym last Sunday night may be better prepared for a more massive earthquake, if it ever happens.  About 150 Kirkland neighbors from West of Market, East of Market (NorKirk) and the Highlands neighborhood

Attending Kirkland WA's Mapping Your Neighborhood Event

Picking Up Materials at Kirkland WA's MYN Meeting

came to the school to hear about MYN, Mapping Your Neighborhood, the program in which neighbors help neighbors in times of a disaster.

Kirkland's Mapping Your Neighborhood Meeting

Liv Grohn Leading The "Mapping Your Neighborhood" Meeting

From Liv Grohn, the event coordinator:

the event head count was somewhere over 160

24 households ‘mapped’ West of Market

43 households ‘mapped’ in Norkirk neighborhood-estimated

29 households ‘mapped’ in Highlands-estimated

TOTAL ‘mapped’ homes = minimum 76 homes – maximum 96 homes

TOTAL of minimum 45 – maximum 58 MYN neighborhoods represented out of the 225

More than a dozen people attended from outside the community (some even acted as room leaders for the event).  A local FEMA rep was in attendance and very pleased with the program–he wants to be involved in future events.

If you didn’t make the meeting, check with your neighbors, it’s never too late to get organized and be prepared.

Do You Need Emergency Supplies?

As a reminder, here’s a list of supplies needed for an emergency.

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Will You Be Able to Help Your Kirkland Neighbors in a Disaster?

In Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on May 17, 2010 at 8:04 am
Know Your Neighbors

Map Your Neighborhood

Here’s your chance to be prepared if there’s ever an emergency. Neighbors can help neighbors.  Remember, the police and fire departments will be taking care of the most serious problems to start.  You may be on your own for a few days and it’s important to know how to handle an emergency.

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Attention Kirkland Walkers-”Take It to Make It”

In Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on January 29, 2010 at 4:18 pm

Sadly, two young girls were hit by a car in Kirkland up on 100th Ave NE this past week. It is unfortunate to hear such news and I wish the two girls a speeding recovery from their injuries.

It seems as if there are more pedestrian/car accidents in the darkness of winter, which makes it even more important for walkers to remember to use the “Take it To Make It” yellow crossing flags where they are available.

Kirkland Walking signs

Kirkland-pedestrian safety signs

They can be found all over downtown Kirkland.  There are also many other intersections around the city where flags are available.  I don’t know if anyone has done a survey, but whenever I’ve been walking around downtown, I’d say probably 50% of the pedestrians use them when crossing the street.

The program’s success and pedestrian safety depends on people using the flags.  They really don’t work well if they are left in the buckets.

Kirkland walking flags

Yellow Pedestrian safety flags

I’m curious.  Do you use the flags when crossing Kirkland streets?  Why or Why not?

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Is Your Kirkland Street In Danger of Flooding This Winter?

In Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on October 20, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Kirkland Street filling with water

Kirkland Street filling with water

I know my street is, if someone doesn’t watch the storm drains. Remember the torrential downpour on Saturday morning? The neighborhood boys, Jack and Jordan, knew how to have fun when the skies opened up.  Armed with their rubber boots, they checked the street out as it began flooding.  The two storm drains in the cul-de-sac were clogged, causing a “new body of water” to develop on my Kirkland street.  Unfortunately for the boys, my husband unclogged the storm drains before the street overflowed. The water was beginning to cover the sidewalk.

Kirkland Street Filling up with Water

Kirkland Street Filling up with Water

Unclogging the storm drain

Unclogging the storm drain

There are about 9500 storm drains in the City of Kirkland.  It’s all but impossible for the city to get to everyone of them each time the skies rain down on us so Kirkland has a program called “Adopt A Storm Drain.” You can “adopt” a storm drain on your street or in your neighborhood by checking it each time there’s a heavy rain.  If the drain is clogged with leaves or debris, all you have to do is get a rake and clean the drain off.  Pretty simple, a lot less of a mess than letting the drains stay clogged, and the neighborhood kids will still speak to you!

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The Police Were Just Next Door

In Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on August 3, 2009 at 10:07 pm

I heard some yelling and wasn’t sure what it was.  It turns out the police were standing on my neighbor’s front steps. They’d received a 911 call that was traced to the area around my neighbor’s house.  It could have been a call from the house or from outside the house, the police weren’t sure.  There were unlocked doors, so the policeman called for backup before going inside.  The backup arrived and the two policemen went through the house.  I can’t imagine what that must have been like. Think NYPD Blue or Law and Order.  Luckily, there was nothing amiss.

Years ago, when we first moved to the Seattle area and lived in Redmond, we came home one Thanksgiving night to find a policeman at the front door.  Apparently, a side door hadn’t been closed properly, was blown open by the wind, and set off our house alarm.  The policeman must have gone through the home room by room.  All the closet doors were ajar, which the policeman must have pulled open, making sure no one was hiding.  I’m guessing the police had to do the same thing tonight while going  through my neighbor’s home.

Do you know your neighbor’s cell phone number in case you need to get in touch with them in an emergency? I was able to locate my neighbor’s phone, so the police called him after they searched the home.  But I don’t know many of the other neighbors’ phone numbers.  I have no idea how to get in touch with them in an emergency.

Tomorrow night, August 4th, is the National Neighborhood Night Out, a program for neighbors to join together to help each other,  promote safety, and combat crime.  Neighbors in Kirkland are encouraged to meet in the neighborhood, get to know each other and support each other.

It’s a little too late to get everyone together in my neighborhood for tomorrow night, but I plan to do so in the next week.  We need to know how to get in touch with each other and how to help each other, whether it’s a because of a crime or a disaster.  Make sure you know how to get in touch with your neighbors.  It could save somebody’s life.

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I’m Giving Away Vials of Life to Kirkland Highlands Home Owners

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on December 1, 2008 at 5:19 am

Vial of LifeFrom now through December 14th, I will give Vial of Life bottles to people in the Kirkland Highlands. The Vials are free, but if you send me an email message, I will drop a vial(s) off on your doorstep.

What is The Vial of Life? The Vial of Life is a large pill bottle which contains a sheet of paper with your medical and emergency contact information.  The sheet is stored in the vial and then placed in your refrigerator.  The Vials were put together by members of The Kirkland Senior Council and The Bellevue Network on Aging in conjunction with Bartell’s and Medic One.

How do first responders know the vial is there? A sticker is placed on your front door or window and a magnet goes on your refrigerator. Everything you need has been placed in each vial and is ready for you to use.

The vial is a terrific way to help keep you safe in unexpected emergencies. Think about people who’ve had to go to the emergency room and they’ve been unconscious.  They’ve been unable to tell someone they have medical issues such as high blood pressure or are allergic to a particular medication.  Don’t let this happen to you! It could be a matter of life and death.

You can pick the vials up at Bartells’ Drug for $1.00. but The Kirkland Senior Council still has a supply we can give out for free.  I’ll drop the Vial on your doorstep, so you don’t even need to be home!

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Winter is Around the Corner In Kirkland, Washington. Are You Prepared?

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on August 25, 2008 at 7:11 pm

 

KIRKLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT SPONSORS

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

29 HOUR CERT COURSE

***EARN 24 CONTINUING ED CREDIT HOURS***

Learn light search & rescue and disaster medical skills.

Learn triage, cribbing and crisis psychological interventions.

Get prepared at home, work, school, and on the road!

Fall 2008 COURSE

Weekly classes: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Weekend Disaster Drill: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

[All classes and drill are required to graduate]

Wednesday Sept. 17 Team Building, Disasters

Wednesday Sept. 24 Disaster Prep, ICS, Size-Up

Wednesday Oct. 1 Disaster Psych and Terrorism

Wednesday Oct. 8 Light Search and Fire Safety

Wednesday Oct. 15 Disaster Medical Operations I

Wednesday Oct. 22 Light Rescue and Cribbing

Wednesday Oct. 29 Disaster Medical Operations II

Wednesday Nov. 5 Disaster Drill Practice

Saturday Nov. 8 Disaster Simulation Drill

LEARN SKILLS THAT HELP YOU SURVIVE DISASTERS

WHEREVER YOU ARE AND HELP YOU ASSIST THE GREATER

COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS EFFORT

Free to residents, college students and

people who work in Kirkland or Fire

District 41. $25 for others

Approved for 24 Continuing Education

Credit Hours through WWU

For more information on CERT visit: www.fema.gov, www.ci.kirkland.wa.us

Apply by Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008: 

 

 

Information and application materials at

 www.ci.kirkland.wa.us,Completed applications may be faxed to 425-587-3651

(The above message was provided by the City of Kirkland and the Kirkland Fire Department)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This Vial Could Save Your Life! Help Kirkland First Responders Help You.

In Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Safety and Disaster Preparedness on July 30, 2008 at 7:50 pm

 This  little bottle can save a senior’s life.  In today’s issue of The Kirkland Reporter, there is an article about The Vial of L.I.F.E. project.

This little vial is so important for people to know about, I am printing the entire article on this blog.

Have you ever had to have an ambulance called for you?  Were you able to tell the EMT about important medications or were you unconscious?  Do you know someone else who went through this? Not having important medical information at hand can be risky and even life threatening, especially if you can’t respond.

One of the projects of The Kirkland Senior Council has been to find ways to help independent seniors during an individual emergency or disaster. The Senior Council has joined forces with The Medic One Foundation and Bartell Drugs to promote The Vial of L.I.F.E  project.

What is the Vial of L.I.F.E?  It’s a plastic vial (a large pill bottle) which contains a sheet which you or a family member complete with your medical information, medications, allergies, and emergency contact numbers.   DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) forms and Power of Attorney (POA) forms for health care can also be stored in the vial.

Here’s how it works:  A red Vial of Life sticker goes on your front door so first responders know you are part of the Vial of L.I.F.E program. The Vial, with the completed medical information, is placed on the top shelf on the inside of your refrigerator door. A red magnet is posted on your refrigerator so emergency personnel have quick and easy access to your important medical needs.  This simple tool can save your life!

What if your medical information changes?  A new medical information sheet can be downloaded from the Medic One Foundation website, www.mediconefoundation.org.

Where can you find a vial?  A limited number of vials will be available for free at the Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Way (behind the Kirkland Performance Center),  through Evergreen Home Health Care, and Hopelink. Each fire department in Kirkland will have a supply on hand. Kirkland Fire Stations are located at:

 

Sta. 21 – 9816 Forbes Creek Dr.

Sta. 22 – 6602 108th Ave NE

Sta. 25 – 12033 76th PL NE

Sta. 26 – 9930 124th Ave NE

Sta. 27 – 11210 NE 132nd St

 

 Bartells Drugstores have Vials of L.I.F.E available for a nominal charge of $1.00.

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