The recent high winds, coupled with the PGE shutoff—though inconvenient and even challenging for some—were easily survivable. What if events had been of a higher magnitude: people trapped or injured, collapsed structures, and outbreaks of fire? The stuff we train for as CERTS. How well would we have responded? A few...
Neighbors helping neighbors. It’s how we weathered the chaos brought on by some unusually high winds, coupled with yet another PGE shut-off. Larry Clinton opined, “I’ve never seen so many whitecaps, and I moved here in the winter of 1980-81, when 90mph gusts closed the GGB. Ironically, we never lost...
Emergency Services Chair Flo Hoylman sends along some lessons learned from the recent PG&E power outage: Lighting ideas I purchased two solar powered lights for less than $20 each. They have their own stand, so I can direct the light in different directions. Use a mirror by the light to...
As soon as the October 10-11 power outage was announced, Emergency Services Chair Flo Hoylman began polling neighbors for their experiences coping with the blackout. Many tips involved keeping food safe: Buy a block of ice or use some empty plastic or glass bottles to make ice to keep the...
Last October’s firestorms claimed 44 victims and the majority were elderly. Statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration confirm that people ages 85 or older have the highest fire death rate (39.5%). They are four times more likely to die in a fire than the general population. Professionals emphasize that planning...
Another weekly tip for Emergency Preparedness Month, provided by Emergency Preparedness Chair Flo Hoylman: You probably have an emergency contacts list attached to your fridge or on your home office bulletin board. Put a copy in your child’s backpack, the glove box of your car, your wallet or purse, and...
Here’s the third tip of Emergency Preparedness Month from our own Flo Hoylman: Your emergency kit should be easy to grab. You can’t know where you’ll be when an earthquake strikes, and may be in a panic trying to keep yourself and your family safe. Your bag should be near...
Since this is Emergency Preparedness Month, each week we’re sharing safety tips provided by Emergency Preparedness Chair Flo Hoylman: Expect the power to be out during a major emergency. That fun flashlight function on your phone? It’s not going to last long without power to plug it in. Plus, your...
Flo Hoylman reports that this is Emergency Preparedness Month, and passes along a website, Ready.gov, that offers a week-by-week plan for increasing your level of safety during a power shutoff or disaster. The first week concentrates on the little-discussed concept of preparing financially for an extended emergency when access to...
Emergency Services Chair Flo Hoylman warns that PG&E may need to cut power transmission to certain areas for as long as five days during fire season to decrease fire risk. She is organizing a communication coordinating committee with at least one person, preferably more, from each dock to help neighbors...