Hold on to Toto, Dorothy, spring is here! Are You Prepared?
Springtime offers the wonderful aromatic fragrance of fresh blooming
flowers, trees budding, green grass, birds chirping with joy,
and everyone sneezing their heads off. It also ushers in some
of the most violent weather patterns of the year; lightning, thunder,
flooding, and tornados, not to mention the coming of hurricane
season.
I hated severe thunderstorms as a kid and hate being out in them
now. Did you know that thunderstorms with lightning, hail, tornados,
and flash flooding kill more people in the United States than
any other phenomenon? There can be as many as 45,000 thunderstorm
occurrences each day. EACH DAY!! Out of these storms there is
an estimated 20 million, that's 20 MILLION lightning ground strikes
occur! Wow! In fact, lightning strikes kill more people each year
than either tornados or hurricanes.
I remember riding the jump seat, when they weren't enclosed,
to a fire call in a blinding thunderstorm. Just before we arrived
at our destination a bolt of lightning came right down beside
the engine on the side I was riding. It was so bright I couldn't
see for a minute. The engine behind us thought we were hit. What
a rush!
Or have you ever been out in the street in the rain, lightning
crashing through the trees, rolling up the old rubber lined cotton
jacket, BRASS coupling hose? Talk about pucker time! But as you
know we don't wait on fair weather to respond to emergencies…..we
respond 24/7 no matter the conditions.
So, are you and your family ready for spring weather? What is
one of the most important factors for an emergency responder?
Preparedness! Are you ready as an emergency responder? Is your
family ready?
Have a home disaster kit with a battery operated
radio, food and water for at least three days, medicine, cash,
and clothing.
Know which local radio stations offer good
weather information.
Purchase a weather radio where you can receive
national weather bulletins.
Designate a location in your home as a safe
area.
Seek the lowest floor and interior hallway
for shelter, stay away from open areas and windows.
Know where to shelter at work, in office buildings
and shopping centers.
Be sure your local schools have a weather
plan, and most importantly, practice the plan.
Do not seek shelter in a vehicle.
Do not seek shelter under a vehicle!
If you are driving and see a tornado don't
try to out drive the storm. Leave the vehicle and seek shelter
in a building. If you can't get to a building, lie flat in a
ravine or ditch and cover your head with your arms.
Watch for flash flooding in low areas. Remember:
Turn Around, Don't Drown.
Remember, a "Tornado Watch" means the conditions are
right for a tornado occurrence. Keep and eye in the sky and be
on the watch. A "Tornado Warning" means a tornado has
been verified. Seek shelter immediately! Don't wait until the
storm strikes to make a plan. Make a plan now and be ready to
implement it when it may be needed. Stay safe and be safe!
Jeff Tokar
FETN Director of Education
TWL Knowledge Group Jeff.Tokar@TWLK.com
972-309-5065, 1-800-624-2272 ext. 5065
