Disaster Preparedness for CWU Students

Ellensburg, WA

An Example of a Final Group Presentation

What Hazards Are We Exposed To?

Earthquakes Puget Sound Fault Lines

Fires Plains, dry climate, high winds

Floods Located in a valley Spring snowmelt

Severe Storms Coastal Region High sea winds

Risk Maps

County Risk Map Local Risk Map

Group Hypothesis

People who have lived in an area for 10+ years have a higher probability of having taken precautions against previously experienced hazards.

Data

Power Water Transportation Stores Services0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

<1 year1-4 years10-14 years15+ years

Conclusions

In general, people who have lived in an area for 10+ years will be slightly more prepared to deal with natural disasters than people who have lived there for less than 4 years. Increased knowledge of potential

hazards Longer time to acquire specific survival

skills/gear

Data Hypothesis

Experiencing certain hazards (fire, earthquake, floods) increases people’s perception of vulnerability to those hazards.

Data

Highl

y Like

ly

Highl

y Unl

ikel

y

Som

ewha

t Likel

y

Unlikel

y

Don't

Know

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

EarthquakeFireFloodingVolcano

Conclusions

People who have experienced specific hazards (fire, earthquake, floods) have a higher likelihood to see their area as more vulnerable to those hazards.

Precautions

Assemble a Safety/Survival Kit Attend Safety Seminar Keep Basic Provisions

Bottled/Purified Water Non-perishable food

Learn about local emergency plans Discuss personal emergency plan with

neighbors

Basic Kit Essentials

Fire Making tools : Matches, Lighters, Magnesium Flints. Carry more then one of each and various types.

Tools: A Knife, Hatches and/or a cable saw. Duct Tape, Emergency Blankets. Pen/pencil and paper.

Food: Non-perishable foods such as energy bars, trail mix and bullion cubes. Tea bags, coco mix, salt, pepper.

Water: Means of carrying clean water and a way to purify found sources.

Basic First Aid: Band-Aids, Disinfectant, Ace Wraps. Signal: Whistle, air horn or any other kind of loud or

highly visible items. A basic kit can be put together for less than $75.

Suggestions for Further Data Is there a local disaster plan for a catastrophic

event? How would people in permanent care facilities be

handled in case of an evacuation/relocation (retirement homes, hospitals, etc)?

Is there a survival/emergency preparedness instructor or seminar in Kittitas county?

How resilient is the town’s water supply/electrical grid to disasters, i.e. when should people begin to start seriously preparing?

SourcesEnvironmental Protection Agencywww.epa.gov

Kittitas County Hazard Mitigation Planhttp://www.ci.ellensburg.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/2459

Washington State Emergency Managementhttp://www.emd.wa.gov/