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Disaster Resources

 

Southern California Earthquake Data Center
map of the region that features information on recent earthquakes in California and Nevada. Learn about the local faults and recent activity along each fault.

EARTHQUAKES BRING ATTENTION TO SEISMICALLY UNSAFE SCHOOLS
In the wake of the disastrous collapse of over 7,000 "classrooms" and the death of 10,000 students (estimates are closely controlled by the Chinese government) in China after May 12's devastating earthquake, American seismologists are assessing the sturdiness of schools in the U.S., writes Andrew Revkin in the New York Times blog Dot Earth. The Pacific Northwest, especially, seems vulnerable. According to Yumei Wang, geohazards team leader for the state of Oregon, approximately 1,300 schools there have "a very high probability of collapse." Washington State is similarly vulnerable. Wang states that "what are sorely needed are long-term, institutionalized, government-funded programs to help school districts mitigate their high-occupancy, collapse-prone schools." Oregon is establishing a grant program to do this, but Wang cautions that the retrofitting of schools and other critical infrastructure will take decades and could cost up to $2 billion. Read From Sichuan to Oregon Schools at Risk

1906 Earthquake Disaster

 

 

 

9/11 World Trade Disaster

 

 

CELL PHONES

The main problem is no communication. Connectivity and telecommunications will breakdown.

Trusting cell phones to work in many emergency situations can be dangerous or fatal.

Iridium trumpets latest satellite phones for emergency response
Just a month before the official U.S. hurricane season begins on June 1, Iridium Satellite LLC today unveiled satellite telephone communications equipment that will interoperate with existing UHF and VHF radio systems already used by police, rescue agencies, firefighters and other first responders. The Iridium systems offer interoperable voice and data communications, will work anywhere and are portable, according to the company. The data services include integration of radio frequency identification tags to help track vehicles, supplies and personnel wirelessly during emergencies so that response efforts can be monitored. Iridium, Satellite telephone handsets are priced at about $1,500 each, while a fixed base station that can be used in a rescue facility costs about $3,000, including an external antenna. Small mobile wireless modems that can be attached to vehicles and supply containers for wireless tracking cost about $500 each if tracking capabilities are to be deployed. The equipment can be used with solar chargers so it can be recharged when power is out, or vehicle battery charger adapters can be used.

Friends,
I am the secretary of the international cellular emergency alert services association (CEASa). I noticed your discussion about cell broadcasting and thought you might like to know that our group is now working with FEMA on the deployment of cell brodcast for public information purposes just as you have discussed. By the way I want to congratulate you on understanding it so well, when many seem confused about what it is. See our website at www.ceasa-int.org for more details, or dont hesitate to write to me for more information. We are currently working on Washington DC, Kansas and New Orleans.
Warm regards,
Mark Wood From: Mark Wood <mark.wood@engineer.com> Date: April 13, 2006 4:18:38 PM EDT

GET

Emergency Email & wireless network GET BREAKING WEATHER sent to your Wireless Palm & Email THEN Click on your State.

1. Pre-paid cell phone cards some cell phone users will able to make outgoing calls, but can't receive calls.

2. BUY SATELITE CONNECTIONS

3. Buy satellite phones to ensure that communications remain in place. High end stars at $1,000 used, and $20 a day to rent. Low as $300 used or $45 a week to rent. If you're heading to an ultraremote location, be sure to bring along a solar-powered battery charger (about $40). Choose a provider. Satellite telecommunications companies such as Globalstar USA and Iridium Satellite offer competitive plans and varied coverage zones.

4. generator / fuel

5. more batteries

6. radio

An April, 2004 report by the Government Accounting Office:
"The wireless communications used today by many public officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other public safety agencies do not provide [the ability] ... to effectively carry out their normal duties and respond to extraordinary events." There are approx. 3.2 million emergency responders in the United States. THE PROBLEM is that police departments, fire departments and EMT services don't want others sharing their spectrum This has always been about control: do the police control the spectrum? This is about first responders solving turf wars and deploying digital technology to use their spectrum more efficiently. Communication Networks for Humans

COMMUNICATION CENTERS

April 13th - 19th National Public Safety Telecommunications Week
The lesson is that even the most modern communications technology can fail, and that there is still value in having an independent communications infrastructure, especially when it costs the community little or nothing to maintain it. Dedicated Amateur radio operators assist local, state and federal workers by providing needed communications services both in the region and also to other parts of the US. ~ Andrew Seybold (W6AMS)

Animal Emergency and Disaster Planning Information

Animal Emergency and Disaster Planning Information

Companion Animals
Pets, information for pet owners; Disaster preparedness; Animal safety; Dog and cat CPR; Pet poison prevention; and more.

Farm Animals
Farm animal rescue; Disaster preparedness for livestock including horses; Animal health. Accidents and livestock; Poisonous plants database; Carcass disposal; and more.

Research Animals
Disaster planning for animal facilities; and more.

Zoo, Circus and Marine Animals
Disaster planning; Training modules; Guidelines for police officers responding to animal incidents; Poison and pesticide information; and more.