Earthquakes in Oregon?

Today we were all shocked to see the second major quake strike planet earth this year. At the same time this should be a sobering reminder of the unpredictability of these types of events and our vulnerability to them in our peaceful little part of NW Oregon.

According to the United States Geological Survey there are fault zones that exist right here in the Portland Metro Area and in our very own part of the Gales Creek Valley. In fact the Cascadia Subduction Zone has the potential to create a much larger quake then the 8.8 magnitude that struck Chile this morning. So what does this all mean, should you pack up the family and move from your homes? No, it just means that you need to be more prepared then ever for a disaster to strike. We're fortunate in and around Forest Grove, thunderstorms are rare, our weather is mild, and our flooding typically stays where we know it will flood. Still it doesn't mean that a disaster cant happen here.

In our area, winter wind and rain storms can be severe, one of Oregon's largest wildfires happened in the very coast range mountains we look at when we look west from our homes or offices, and the threat of earthquakes is very real. So what to do?

We suggest you start simple. Do you have a family emergency plan? It can be as easy as a written or drawn up plan on how to escape your home. Include important phone numbers such as 9-1-1 and our non emergency dispatch number 503.629.0111, as well as family contact numbers. But the plan wont work as easily if you don't practice it. Once a month, at different times of the day and night, put your plan into practice. Does every one in your home know two ways out? They should, and that is what your plan will show them how to do. If you need a sheet to get started stop in we have planning work sheets that you can have.

Once your plan is completed and practiced, it is time to create a 72 hour disaster supply kit. These can be simple to create using items around the home that you may already have on hand. A few years ago for an event our Safety Educators created a kit for 2 people and were able to put all of it into a new plastic garbage can. It worked well for a water resistant easy storage container. Here is what we suggest that you look at putting into your kit:

• Food – ready to eat or requiring minimal water
• Water - One gallon per person per day
• Manual can opener and other cooking supplies
• Plates, utensils and other feeding supplies
• First Aid Kit & instructions
• A copy of important documents & phone numbers
• Warm clothes and rain gear for each family member.
• Heavy work gloves
• Disposable camera
• Unscented liquid household bleach and an eyedropper for water purification
• Personal hygiene items including toilet paper, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer and soap
• Plastic sheeting, duct tape and utility knife for covering broken windows
• Tools such as a crowbar, hammer & nails, staple gun, adjustable wrench and bungee cords.
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Large heavy duty plastic bags and a plastic bucket for waste and sanitation
• Any special-needs items for children, senior, or people with disabilities . Don’t forget water and supplies for your pets.

FGF&R is working on providing community emergency response team training for our neighbors and will let you know as soon as our new program begins sometime hopefully this year. Other good training that you can take now would be our monthly CPR courses (call Firefighter Ivan Bratchuk at 503.992.3240), or look for a basic first aid class at a community college, red cross chapter, or local hospital. In a major emergency we will look to the community to help each other and to help us. Preparing now can make a difference if and when it does happen here.