What will you do in an emergency?

[pdxkevin]

My wife found a great (free) course being offered by the Portland Fire Bureau in NET training. I wanted to get involved in search & rescue for years (many years) but Washington county isn't relly interested in those of us over 25. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

The Portland Fire Bureau is though! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

What is NET?

A Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) is a group of at least 20 citizens trained by the Portland Fire Bureau to provide emergency assistance in their own neighborhood for 72 hours following a disaster such as a severe winter storm or major earthquake. The Fire Bureau might also activate the NETs in the event of a flood, hazardous material spill, wildland interface fire or other citywide/regional emergency. NET members also work in their respective neighborhoods to recruit more people for the NET training, to organize Team operations, and to help assure that all households in their area are prepared for any citywide emergency.

Here is a link with more info

Here is some Portland contact info

NET & BET (the business version) is spreading like wildfire up and down the west coast. It feels good to ge training to be able to help out the community when the need it. Some NET teams we mobilized to help with Meals On Wheels during the ice storm to help get food delivered so it is a needed volunteer service even without a major disaster.

This is a good program worth checking out if you are interested in lending a helping hand when asked.

[ampersat]

Great looking program. Thanks for the info.

[OceanBlue]

Hillsboro has had CERT for years and Beaverton has just started the program as well.

I have been CERTified (or is that certifiable?) for several years. I am also trained by FEMA to teach the course.

This is a GREAT program.

Unfortunately, if you're in a "pocket" like Aloha, there is no program. However, some cities allow you to take the course if you work in within the city (Hillsboro). Others do not (Beaverton)

I'll be taking the Beaverton course because I no longer work in Hillsboro and because I live in a TVF&R area - those are the guys and gals that I'd be expecting to coordinate with if disaster struck in my home community.

Hillsboro CERT Link

Beaverton CERT Link

Check with your local fire department for information on whether CERT is available in your area. If it isn't, spread the word, write letters and get it going!

If you don't think it is important, imagine what a 9.9 subduction earthquake would do to your community. Then think about how you and your family would have to survive for several days without outside assistance. Think about whether you'd want to be able to help your neighbors, or helplessly stand by amidst the disaster.

And if you're thinking that a 9.9 (or greater) quake would just wipe everything out so you don't have to worry about it, think again.

[ 01-28-2004, 07:28 AM: Message edited by: OceanBlue ]

[Cool Texan]

Stop drop and roll..that's all you really need to know.

[Paddlefish]

Lake Oswego also has a CERT program.

In February of 1996, when the Tualatin River and the Tualatin-Oswego Lake canal ran amuck, flooding Hwy 43 and other thoroughfares and submerging entire neighborhoods, the CERT people proved very helpful in dealing with --if nothing else -- the aggravated public whose daily driving habits were interrupted.

Not a bad way to be available to help your neighbors when they might need it most.

[Lepper]

people call me for an emergency. :smile:

(I work for bay cities ambulance)

[Firedog]

NET is a pretty good program for those that want to be able to help in a catastrophy.

Now for me if that event happens I will be at work and probably for awhile.