1. Lets prepare for natural disasters since we are not able to prevent them!

2. State of Utah Emergency Operation Center I have realized I am not prepare for a natural disaster. I wanted it to learn about what I need to do to be prepare for any kind of natural disaster and what the state of Utah does to prepare. I visited the State of Utah Emergency Operation Center. I was given a tour and a lot of useful information.

3. Wade Mathews, gave me a tour of the State of Utah Emergency Operation Center. He is pointing at the places BeReadyUtah group will be visiting to create preparedness awareness. File cabinets for each service organization, like the Fire and Police Departments, Military, etc. They contain contact information for support and emergency plans in case of a natural disaster in Utah.

4. This center is where the state service organizations (Police and fire department, military, etc.) meet once a month to work on their emergency plan. This is actually the place all of the departments meet if the state suffers of disasters. During the Summer season they meet often due to wildfires. All the radios they have for communication Every table has a place card for every organization that meets at the center.

5. The State of Utah Emergency Operation Center team can only do so much. You should not rely on them. There is less of them and more of us. The more people prepare and helping themselves and their families the less likely they are to suffer during a disaster. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves and our families. It may take a little bit of time, money, and creativity, but you can do it. These may save your life and others.

6. Do you have an emergency plan? Do you have an emergency kit? Are you informed? Do you want to be involve?

7. Communicate All family members should know about the plan. Have out-of-state contact information in case you are separated Evacuation Escape routes from each room in your home Pick 3 places to meet – outside home, neighborhood, regional meeting place Essentials Cash Water Food Sanitation Special needs

8. Every family member should have 72-hour-grab-and- go kit. Customized each kit depending on the needs of each family member. Children might need different items than the elderly. Place kit in an easy-to-access location Check items twice a year and replace items that have expired or don’t work Have a vehicle emergency kit

9. Know the types of disasters that can happen in the area you live. The following 3 slides are about three of the most common natural disasters in Utah. Floods Earthquakes Wildfires

10. Despite Utah’s semi-arid climate, we are still subject to flooding from rapid snowmelt, cloudbursts, or other causes. In 1983, the runoff created by a sudden warming trend combined with record mountain snowpack exceeded the capacities of streams and storm sewers. Flood waters were diverted onto city streets. Numerous steps have been taken since the 1983/1984 floods in Utah to prevent future flood events in our community. However, citizens and responders must remain vigilant for future unexpected events. Source: http://www.slcoem.org/Hazards.html

11. Photo Source: http://www.seis.utah.edu/edservices/EES/SWUTAHCLOCK.shtmlhttp://www.seis.utah.edu/edservices/EES/SWUTAHCLOCK.shtml Many areas in the Salt Lake Valley may be affected by liquefaction. Liquefaction occurs in sandy soils that are saturated with water. The ground shaking in an earthquake can change the water pressure applied on the soil particles. The soil may lose its strength and no longer be able to support buildings or other structures above them. Ground shaking may also trigger landslides or other slope failures. Source: http://www.slcoem.org/Hazards.html

12. Many residents in the Salt Lake Valley live in what is known as the Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI). The WUI is the area where structures and other human developments meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetated areas. Each year, many homes across the United States have been lost to WUI fires. There are several causes of wildland fires with the most common being lightening and human activities. Source: http://www.slcoem.org/Hazards.html

13. Lend a hand to others A couple of volunteer programs Citizen Corps – Training on first aid and emergency skills, support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety. www.citizencorps.utah.govwww.citizencorps.utah.gov Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) – Training on 24 hours of instruction that prepares you to help yourself, your family, ad your neighbors in the even of a disaster.

14. www.bereadyutah.gov www.utahprepare.com www.emergencymanagement.utah.gov www.shakeout.org/utah