I was watching an episode of a dark and brooding English countryside drama on PBS a few years ago and it struck how limiting the world was for poor people years ago . . . and then it hit me that this goes on every single day in many parts of our world. Here in America we simply turn on the lights or the warm glow of a computer or TV and we’re set for the evening. But elsewhere, the sun goes down and life comes to a standstill. Unless you have access to a fire, oil burning lamps or candles you are out of luck in areas with no electricity. In emergencies, we face the same problem . . . without light to guide us.
In emergencies, we face the same problem . . . without light to guide us.Here in the Pacific Northwest we are no strangers to windstorms. We don’t normally face hurricanes and tornadoes, but something similar might be coming with global warming. Each year we haven’t faced blanket problems, but we do see lots of pockets of outages all over King, Pierce, and Thurston Counties. We are proud of our trees, but trees often do come down on people, houses, roads, and power lines. We are being warned of the possibility of a category nine earthquake. It happens regularly (geologically). A major earthquake like that would cause major damage and loss of life. Help would be slow to come. Emergency responders can’t respond with bridge and overpasses weakened and trees blocking roads and knocking out power.
We still have time to prepare. Having all the supplies you need are costly, but you can start small. My solution begins at the Dollar Tree. You can buy packages of food, boxes of milk, and tools, but the first purchase I recommend is solar garden lights. Until disaster hits, a solar garden light could make your walkway safer at night.
Until disaster hits, a solar garden light could make your walkway safer at night.When there is a power blackout, you could just go pull up some lights and bring them indoors. The lights generally work for two or three years. They charge up during the day. If you don’t have any power problems, you have at least been prepared. Solar lights could brighten up your home as you make needed repairs for any storm damage, play games with your family, or read a book. It would be just like camping . . . almost.
Solar lights could brighten up your home as you make needed repairs for any storm damage, play games with your family, or read a book.
Hi Don,
Thanks for the insightful piece. I grew up in the part of the world you described, no electricity only kerosene lantern for light during the night. Firewood fire for cooking food.
Yes solar appliances the best recommendation during emergency.
Seth
Seth,
Thank you for reading and for writing. Actually, the story about watching a dark English drama was simply an additional knocking on my head. I had read the book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind several years before about a Malawi inventor in Africa. I really like the idea of LuminAID Solar Lanterns and have suggested programs to help the homeless with these solar lights. They are fairly inexpensive, but a lot more costly than the garden lights.
Thanks, again for reading and commenting.
Don
Don,
You’ve opened a whole area of emergency response for citizens to learn about and take part in preparation for an emergency. Emergencies occur more than just when electric power is off.
Lights, in case of power outage, is just the beginning of emergency response. Emergencies don’t always occur while you are at home. My SUV rear end is loaded with provisions which may be required in case of an emergency: food, tools, medical stuff (band aids, masks, rubber gloves, etc.), change of clothing, flashlights, reflective vests, whistles, back pack, blanket, etc. etc. etc. We also have similar equipment in our home, as well as emergency food that is supposed to be good for 25 years, if needed.
The city of Lakewood has provided CERT, Community Emergency Response Team, training, which can really help one know what to do, and how to do it, in case of an emergency. However their website needs to be updated, as it reflects their next training for three days in January.
Pierce county also provides emergency training. Check out Pierce County’s Emergency Management website.
I could go on and on, but hope this causes awareness to readers on the subject of emergency management and how they may become better prepared should an emergency occur.
Mike,
Thank you for reading and for writing. I heard the Colonel from the National Guard speak at the Transportation Club speak a few months ago and when he spoke of the possible devastation and the length of time it would take for any help to reach anyone, I became worried. I went home and shared the information with my wife. My thirty cans of roast beef hash won’t carry us through, but like the garden lights they are a step in the right direction. I always re-post each article I write for the Suburban Times, so I will now include a comment about CERT because of you. I’ll probably do a follow up article will certainly mentioned the efforts being done with CERT and the PC Emergency Management Office.
Thanks again for reading AND sharing.
Don
Hello Don and Mike,
We are thrilled to hear you mention the CERT program and including it in your article(s). However, CERT is not a City of Lakewood program, but instead one of ours here at West Pierce Fire & Rescue. The current class is in progress and full at this time. However, there is a waiting list in place and we have much more information on our website: http://www.westpierce.org.
Thank you!
WPFR.
Thanks for the update. Keep me updated and when you are looking to fill another class, I would be happy to write an additional article for you. They more we get people prepared, the better off they will be for almost any emergency. Keep the good work.
Don