PrepareMetroKC community outreach at Convoy of Hope

PrepareMetroKC featured a public outreach table in the community services tent at the Convoy of Hope held at Swope Park on Saturday, June 8. The table was staffed by members of the KCMO Emergency Management team (including CERT volunteers) and United Way 2-1-1. Participants had a chance to spin the “Wheel of Misfortune” and learn more about disaster preparedness by speaking one-on-one with emergency managers. PrepareMetroKC provided coloring books with crayons, key chain hand sanitizers, emergency preparedness booklets and Vials of Life to attendees.

The annual KC Convoy of Hope provides residents with free groceries, clothing, shoes, haircuts, family portraits, help with resumes, and health screenings. This year, 1,980 volunteers served 3,642 guests at the KC Convoy. The event is one of many across the nation led by Convoy of Hope, a faith-based, nonprofit organization based in Springfield, Mo.

When thunder roars, stay indoors

Summer is a great time for picnics in the park, golf outings, hiking and swimming, but the summer months also bring thunderstorms. While storms are fascinating to watch, they are extremely deadly when lightning is present. Thunderstorms also produce hail, flash floods, strong winds, and tornadoes.

The National Weather Service (NWS) says don’t be fooled by blue skies and no rain. If you can see it and hear it, you are already in danger. “When Thunder Roars, Stay Indoors” is the best advice, because no place outside is safe. Violent summer storms can stretch for miles and lightning can strike from 10 miles away. The NWS suggests all outdoor activities be postponed and everyone get to the safest place possible to avoid being struck by lightning. According to the NWS, a typical lightning strike carries 100 million volts of electricity and an air temperature that is hotter than the surface of the sun! More than 400 people are struck by lightning in the U.S. every year. While a small percentage of people are actually killed, many survivors are left with serious lifelong injuries. Most of those injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evenings.

To avoid being struck by lightning, the NWS recommends:

Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunder clap before resuming outdoor activities.
Monitor the weather forecast when you’re planning to be outdoors.
Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers, or utility poles. Lightning tends to strike the tallest objects in an area.
Do not use a corded phone during a thunderstorm unless it’s an emergency.
Keep away from plumbing and electrical equipment/wiring during a thunderstorm.

Lightning is a serious danger. Keep your summer safe and fun by learning more about lightning safety at the NWS website and at Prepare Metro KC.

MEMC recommends cash donations toward Moore relief efforts

The Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee urges anyone who wants to contribute to disaster relief efforts ongoing in Oklahoma to donate cash to disaster relief organizations rather than donating goods. “We know people in the Kansas City metro want to help,” said Bob Evans, MEMC Chair, “and cash helps relief organizations to quickly provide people who were affected by the disaster with exactly the help they need most.”

MEMC recommends that people who want to help consider donating to reputable organizations of their choice, such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way or Oklahoma United Way’s OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund, (405) 236-8441 or www.unitedwayokc.org.

It is best not to send food, clothing or other unsolicited items. The City of Moore, Okla., has asked that items stop arriving as they are overwhelmed http://www.cityofmoore.com/2013-tornado-relief, while the state of Oklahoma has published a list of locations in which items can be dropped off: http://www.ok.gov/okstrong/Donation_Information/Drop-Off_Locations/index.html.

Summer Safety: Are you ready for extreme heat?

Memorial Day is considered the traditional start of the summer season, so this is a good time to review tips for summer safety. If last year is any indication, it might be another scorcher. It’s important to remember how deadly extreme heat can be and know how to avoid becoming ill. During a heat wave, postpone outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, as much as possible, and stay indoors in air conditioning. If you have to be outside, wear sunscreen and cover as much of the body as possible with light colored clothing. Make sure you drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty, and limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Check on neighbors, friends and relatives who spend much of their time alone and don’t have air conditioning. For more information about heat safety, visit http://www.preparemetrokc.org/Know_the_Risks/heat.asp.

Disaster and Preparedness video series honored by IAEM

“A Tale of Disaster and Preparedness,” the fun and informative video series created by the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee of Greater Kansas City earlier this year, will be recognized at the International Association of Emergency Managers 60th Annual Conference to be held Oct. 26–Nov. 1 in Orlando. The video series won first place in the Public Awareness Award (State, Regional or Nonprofit) categories of both the IAEM-USA and IAEM-Global competitions. View the entire video series on our YouTube page, and watch for three new episodes coming soon.

Do you have an emergency plan?

Are you and your family prepared for an emergency? If phone lines were down, if cell phones didn't work, if you couldn't get to the grocery store for a few days -- what would you do? If you had to evacuate -- where would you go?

Create an emergency plan online >

Disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. When disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond. The time to plan for a disaster is now, before it happens.

Create a Supply Kit: Keep enough basics on hand for your family-- water, food, first aid supplies, etc. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container, such as a large, covered trash container, a backpack or a duffle bag. Learn more>
Have a Plan: Meet with your family and talk about why you need a disaster plan. Decide on a meeting place and identify emergency contacts. Learn more>
Stay Informed: Know what the risks are in your area and how to prepare for each. Learn more>

Surviving an Active Shooter Event: Run, Hide, Fight

After the recent shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., the city of Houston's Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security Department prepared this video outlining what you should do if you find yourself in an active shooter situation: run, hide or fight.

The video is a Department of Homeland Security Grant Funded Project, produced by the City of Houston's Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. The City grants permission to use the video in the format provided for its intended purpose only, information and awareness training for the general population.

New emergency alert system can deliver warnings directly to cell phones

Emergency management officials know that in weather emergencies, such as tornados, warnings can save lives. But they can’t always rely on traditional warning methods — television, radio and outdoor sirens — to reach everyone. Through a partnership with FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, officials are now able to send warnings directly to cell phones.

Using the new Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system, the National Weather Service will send warnings for tornados, flash floods, blizzards and ice storms in the Kansas City area to cell towers that serve affected counties. The warnings will go automatically to any newer-model cell phones within range of the towers. Learn more>

Book the Prepare Metro KC team for your event!

The Prepare Metro KC team is available to bring our special brand of fun, education, and preparedness to your event! We charge no fees, but ask that you donate the space and electrical requirements as we are a volutneer organization and work all year round on a limited budget. Contact Lisa Elsas to book dates or for more information (816) 701-8392.
If you have any event (or any) ideas for our 2013 Summertime event season, we would love to hear from you! Contact Lisa Elsas to book dates or for more information (816) 701-8392.

Weather Radios Save Lives

Unlike outdoor sirens, all-hazards radios save lives by alerting people who are indoors when severe weather approaches. They can also alert people in homes, schools and businesses to other types of emergencies. These radios provide constant, useful and up-to-date weather information. They are equipped with a special alarm tone that will sound an alert and give immediate information in a life-threatening situation.

Project Community Alert (PCA) is a community-wide effort to distribute weather alert radios. The Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee (MEMC) has partnered with Price Chopper grocery stores to sell the radios at a special price, $29.95. To locate a store near you, visit www.mypricechopper.com and click on "Store Locator."

Need more information? Contact your emergency manager>>

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