Mover Mike

I can't begin to imagine the suffering of over 1,000,000 people caught in the way of hurricane KATRINA. Wizbang brings up some interesting points that can challenge us here in Portland. If there were a natural disaster in Portland, one of the first things people need is information about their neighborhood and the family and friends who live there.

Somebody try to find and compile (reliable) damage reports from specific neighborhoods.

How does FEMA work?

Somebody read the news reports on what FEMA is doing and what it is not... Somebody read their site and distill it for those of us who don't have time for red tape.

How do you get money from the Red Cross? Is it a grant or loan?

What happens to my utilities? How do I cancel my auto-pays?

How do I get new glasses? How do I get prescriptions refilled?

Portland has Neighborhood Emergency Teams (NETs)

In the event of a citywide or regional emergency such as a severe winter storm, flood or major earthquake, households need to be prepared to be on their own for the first 72 hours. Neighborhoods need to be prepared for self-sufficiency, too. Volunteers will naturally be the first on-the-scene emergency responders in their own neighborhood, especially when firefighters and police are overwhelmed with requests for help and could be slowed down by impassable streets and other damage.

You can volunteer for the 26 hours of training. The training includes:
Disaster Awareness—Earthquakes and Other Disasters
Utility Control
Disaster Medicine - Treating Life-Threatening Injuries/Medical Triage
Disaster Medicine - Treating Common Injuries
Light Search & Rescue - Visual Assessment of Damaged Buildings
Light Search & Rescue - Rescue Techniques
Disaster Psychology and Trauma Intervention

The American Red Cross offers Family Disaster Planning. Take some time and learn their Four Steps to Safety

My new motto is WWMD! What would a man do - to protect his family, help his neighbors, and save lives. Looking at the scenes from the south, it is apparent that when the government is overwhelmed, civilization is not made of solid wood, but a thin veneer. It is incumbant upon all of us to be prepared.

Update: