Monday, January 24, 2011
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Disaster preparedness
With 36 years of SAR (search and rescue) experience, I fail to understand why the general public doesn't take Disaster preparedness seriously.
Please folks, get prepared today. Tomorrow may be to late.
Sit down with your family, friends, neighbors, office workers, and get serious.
I've worked disasters in Earthquakes, Bombings, Fires, Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, for 36 years. 24 with my search dogs. I’m amazed that less then 2% of the population takes disaster preparedness seriously.
Please take this info seriously.
Before Disaster Strikes.
Many disasters that we respond to, there’s a strong push to rescue the people and many times, the pets are left to die.
Example #1. NY City during 911, the NYC police refused to allow pet owners and trained rescuers to enter the outlying stricken areas to rescue the pets until almost four days after the initial disaster. Many pets (over 161) were found dead from starvation and dehydration. Both totally preventable. Shame on you NYC for not allowing animal rescue teams in before that to rescue the animals in the restricted zones.
Example # 2. If you remember Hurricane Katrina where FEMA (Forget about Ever Managing Anyone), killed hundreds of people and thousands of pets with their bullshit management system. Or should I say LACK OF MANAGEMENT. We received hundred’s of calls from L.S.U. as well as police depts., Fire depts., other trained SAR teams who were flat out refused entrance by FEMA and the military to help people and pets. Because of their refusal to allow outside professional assist, instead of managing them, thousands of innocent lives human and animals were lost.
Shame on you FEMA for not allowing trained civilians, Fire dept personal, police officers from outside agencies in to help rescue people and pets. You are a horrible excuse for a GOVT agency and bring back the Response of FUBAR. I use to support FEMA 100%. Now that they are FUBAR. I have nothing good to say about them any more. When you MANAGE, you should take into consideration the 1000’s of men and women within other outside agencies in SAR, police, Fire, EMS who are trained and can work under PROPER management outside of FEMA’s scope.
First DON'T Ever never ever leave your pet behind. There's no excuse. If you are given the warning through the media that a disaster is forthcoming, it's YOUR responsibility to get your pets out safely. If you need help, then call the Humane Society in your area. There are THOUSANDS of volunteers ready and willing to assist you and your family before disaster strikes. Contact the Humane Society of the USA.
Now if you are at work and a major quake hits that is one thing. But if you've been notified to evacuate and you have 24 hours, don't you dare leave your pets behind.
If you do, you have a 95% of returning to a destroyed home and dead pets. They deserve better then this.
Follow California's Fire disaster protocols. Early warning, evacuate the humans and animals at the same time, to include pets and live stock, then worry about the property last.
Here’s what you can do to help rescuers find your pet alive should you have to leave or aren’t allowed into your area because of the ongoing disaster.
1). ID YOUR PET. See our section on photos, hair samples, DNA, etc. go to www.k9sardog.com for more info.
2). Mark the outside of your home with a sticker that tells firefighters, rescuers how many pets and what kind are in the house. Example 1 dog 2 cats. Sticker in the window closest to the door. Or write on the door, “Help please I have 1 dog and two cats trapped inside).
3). Find a neighbor or someone who you trust who knows your pets, and give them a key to your home. Give them specific directions on what to do during a disaster with your Pet(s).
4). If you are going on vacation and leaving your pet behind with a pet sitting service or having someone come check on your pet, always leave emergency vet, and contact information. This information should contain info on how to contact you during your trip, what the person should know regarding which vet to take your pet to.
What specific medical history does your pet have, and what medications is your pet on.
The nearest family or friend who will take physical custody should you be injured, killed or if a disaster strikes while you are away.
Remember ALWAYS check pet sitter references. Make sure they are licensed, bonded, insured and know how to contact search and rescue should your pet escape.
5). Make up a missing poster of your pet before you leave. With contact #’s of friends, family. Include several different photos of your pet, a reward, contact #, and specific directions to the person in charge of the search. (While you’re gone).
If you travel with your pet you should make up the poster before you leave so if your pet gets lost or is stolen while you are on your trip, this info is ready to print.
DURING A DISASTER NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR PET BEHIND FOR ANY REASON.
The American Red Cross will not allow your pet in the emergency shelter.
So it’s up to you to take responsibility, pre plan, tent, food, sleeping bag, water, for yourself and your pets.
Should include kennels, food, water, first aid supplies for your pet for a minimum of one week.
So if a fire, flood, other disaster strikes and you are ordered to leave your home, take your pets with you.
It may be days or weeks before a rescue team is in the area to search the homes to find survivors. If you love them, don’t leave them.
You should have a min. of 3 days supply of food, water, emergency space blanket, first aid kit, toilet paper, flashlight, extra batteries, warm hat, (Ski hat), rain gear, stored under your work desk in a 1 gallon plastic bucket. If you have to “Duck, Cover, and Hold then you have all the supplies needed to take care of yourself until help arrives.
In your vehicle you should have 3 days supply of water, first aid kit, food, flashlight, sleeping bags or space blankets, boots, gloves, warm clothing, and pet food, stored. (If you are at work or on the freeway and disaster strikes) you will be living, eating, sleeping out of your vehicle until you can make it home by foot. Freeways will be closed as well as most surface streets. I store my heavy-duty backpack with tent and camping stove and supplies in my vehicles.
At home, I suggest a min. of one weeks worth of food, water, clothing, first aid, flashlights, batteries, stoves, portable toilets, TP, pet kennels, pet food. Stored in a garage or small storage unit OUTSIDE THE HOUSE. NEVER EVER in the house. Not in the attic, not in the basement. If the house is destroyed by fire or flooding, your supplies are gone.
In a real disaster, please remember there will be NO cellular phone services, no regular telephone landline services, no water, no electricity, and no gas services. ATM’s won’t work. Hospitals will be overwhelmed within the first day.
Motels (if not destroyed) will be overfilled within 24 hours.
So think ahead. What if????
I.K.9.S.A.R.S. Harry’s Yahoo 360 blog re SAR.
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-aczg0BU5erSlJvtwUKlYqssO
Photos of Harry’s search dog teams in action.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/searchdog/page1/
Before your child comes up missing, identify them. If a child is missing, send us the information. We search for missing children and adults.
Write us at searchdog@iinet.com and we’ll send you our free child id kit.
If you hear of anyone who needs our service for a missing person or lost pet, please feel free to pass on our web site info. www.k9sardog.com
Visit our web site www.k9sardog.com for more information.
Please folks, get prepared today. Tomorrow may be to late.
Sit down with your family, friends, neighbors, office workers, and get serious.
I've worked disasters in Earthquakes, Bombings, Fires, Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, for 36 years. 24 with my search dogs. I’m amazed that less then 2% of the population takes disaster preparedness seriously.
Please take this info seriously.
Before Disaster Strikes.
Many disasters that we respond to, there’s a strong push to rescue the people and many times, the pets are left to die.
Example #1. NY City during 911, the NYC police refused to allow pet owners and trained rescuers to enter the outlying stricken areas to rescue the pets until almost four days after the initial disaster. Many pets (over 161) were found dead from starvation and dehydration. Both totally preventable. Shame on you NYC for not allowing animal rescue teams in before that to rescue the animals in the restricted zones.
Example # 2. If you remember Hurricane Katrina where FEMA (Forget about Ever Managing Anyone), killed hundreds of people and thousands of pets with their bullshit management system. Or should I say LACK OF MANAGEMENT. We received hundred’s of calls from L.S.U. as well as police depts., Fire depts., other trained SAR teams who were flat out refused entrance by FEMA and the military to help people and pets. Because of their refusal to allow outside professional assist, instead of managing them, thousands of innocent lives human and animals were lost.
Shame on you FEMA for not allowing trained civilians, Fire dept personal, police officers from outside agencies in to help rescue people and pets. You are a horrible excuse for a GOVT agency and bring back the Response of FUBAR. I use to support FEMA 100%. Now that they are FUBAR. I have nothing good to say about them any more. When you MANAGE, you should take into consideration the 1000’s of men and women within other outside agencies in SAR, police, Fire, EMS who are trained and can work under PROPER management outside of FEMA’s scope.
First DON'T Ever never ever leave your pet behind. There's no excuse. If you are given the warning through the media that a disaster is forthcoming, it's YOUR responsibility to get your pets out safely. If you need help, then call the Humane Society in your area. There are THOUSANDS of volunteers ready and willing to assist you and your family before disaster strikes. Contact the Humane Society of the USA.
Now if you are at work and a major quake hits that is one thing. But if you've been notified to evacuate and you have 24 hours, don't you dare leave your pets behind.
If you do, you have a 95% of returning to a destroyed home and dead pets. They deserve better then this.
Follow California's Fire disaster protocols. Early warning, evacuate the humans and animals at the same time, to include pets and live stock, then worry about the property last.
Here’s what you can do to help rescuers find your pet alive should you have to leave or aren’t allowed into your area because of the ongoing disaster.
1). ID YOUR PET. See our section on photos, hair samples, DNA, etc. go to www.k9sardog.com for more info.
2). Mark the outside of your home with a sticker that tells firefighters, rescuers how many pets and what kind are in the house. Example 1 dog 2 cats. Sticker in the window closest to the door. Or write on the door, “Help please I have 1 dog and two cats trapped inside).
3). Find a neighbor or someone who you trust who knows your pets, and give them a key to your home. Give them specific directions on what to do during a disaster with your Pet(s).
4). If you are going on vacation and leaving your pet behind with a pet sitting service or having someone come check on your pet, always leave emergency vet, and contact information. This information should contain info on how to contact you during your trip, what the person should know regarding which vet to take your pet to.
What specific medical history does your pet have, and what medications is your pet on.
The nearest family or friend who will take physical custody should you be injured, killed or if a disaster strikes while you are away.
Remember ALWAYS check pet sitter references. Make sure they are licensed, bonded, insured and know how to contact search and rescue should your pet escape.
5). Make up a missing poster of your pet before you leave. With contact #’s of friends, family. Include several different photos of your pet, a reward, contact #, and specific directions to the person in charge of the search. (While you’re gone).
If you travel with your pet you should make up the poster before you leave so if your pet gets lost or is stolen while you are on your trip, this info is ready to print.
DURING A DISASTER NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR PET BEHIND FOR ANY REASON.
The American Red Cross will not allow your pet in the emergency shelter.
So it’s up to you to take responsibility, pre plan, tent, food, sleeping bag, water, for yourself and your pets.
Should include kennels, food, water, first aid supplies for your pet for a minimum of one week.
So if a fire, flood, other disaster strikes and you are ordered to leave your home, take your pets with you.
It may be days or weeks before a rescue team is in the area to search the homes to find survivors. If you love them, don’t leave them.
You should have a min. of 3 days supply of food, water, emergency space blanket, first aid kit, toilet paper, flashlight, extra batteries, warm hat, (Ski hat), rain gear, stored under your work desk in a 1 gallon plastic bucket. If you have to “Duck, Cover, and Hold then you have all the supplies needed to take care of yourself until help arrives.
In your vehicle you should have 3 days supply of water, first aid kit, food, flashlight, sleeping bags or space blankets, boots, gloves, warm clothing, and pet food, stored. (If you are at work or on the freeway and disaster strikes) you will be living, eating, sleeping out of your vehicle until you can make it home by foot. Freeways will be closed as well as most surface streets. I store my heavy-duty backpack with tent and camping stove and supplies in my vehicles.
At home, I suggest a min. of one weeks worth of food, water, clothing, first aid, flashlights, batteries, stoves, portable toilets, TP, pet kennels, pet food. Stored in a garage or small storage unit OUTSIDE THE HOUSE. NEVER EVER in the house. Not in the attic, not in the basement. If the house is destroyed by fire or flooding, your supplies are gone.
In a real disaster, please remember there will be NO cellular phone services, no regular telephone landline services, no water, no electricity, and no gas services. ATM’s won’t work. Hospitals will be overwhelmed within the first day.
Motels (if not destroyed) will be overfilled within 24 hours.
So think ahead. What if????
I.K.9.S.A.R.S. Harry’s Yahoo 360 blog re SAR.
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-aczg0BU5erSlJvtwUKlYqssO
Photos of Harry’s search dog teams in action.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/searchdog/page1/
Before your child comes up missing, identify them. If a child is missing, send us the information. We search for missing children and adults.
Write us at searchdog@iinet.com and we’ll send you our free child id kit.
If you hear of anyone who needs our service for a missing person or lost pet, please feel free to pass on our web site info. www.k9sardog.com
Visit our web site www.k9sardog.com for more information.
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