[KYHAM] Ky Emergency Net Training For February: Earthquake Preparedness for the Radio Amateur

[Ron Dodson]

Many may not realize that Kentucky is in a region with multiple seismic
stress points referred to as "geologic faults" or "seismic zones." The
New Madrid Seismic Zone is the largest and most famous in this region.
It was the site of the largest earthquakes in US history in the winter
of 1811-1812. Over the last one hundred years, New Madrid has given
birth to thousands of minor tremors that were too light to feel and a
few small earthquakes which only rattled dishes or cracked a few
foundations in areas close to the "epicenter" or location of the quake.
Seismologists feel that we are overdue for an earthquake which would
devastate a good portion of the western half of Kentucky and our
neighbor states within the seismic zone. Unlike weather forecasting,
earthquake detection is not an exact science and we will likely have
little or no notice of a coming major earthquake.

Earthquakes present special problems in response and recovery. This is
particularly true in the first days or weeks. In some areas of Kentucky,
there is a ratio of 1 emergency response person to every 150 citizens.
In a major earthquake, the numbers of people and locations in need of
assistance could easily overwhelm our response system. Cities, of
course, are most at risk from this danger as the larger populations and
larger buildings increase the odds of this to alarming figures. 

Rural areas cannot be overlooked either. In these areas, particularly
during daytime hours, fire, EMS and police coverage are at minimum
levels, as local volunteers work in nearby cities and towns. These rural
volunteer responders may find it impossible to return home for extended
periods. Likewise, any family may be caught in the same situation and if
phone systems are down, lack of communications to verify the well-being
of family members may be of almost a debilitating concern. 

A major earthquake would have a terrible effect on the infrastructure
that we depend upon daily!  Power, telephone, internet, and cellular
communications may be lost for days to weeks in some areas. Natural gas
lines crisscross Kentucky in underground networks running in all
directions. Should any of these lines rupture during a quake, the
explosion risk will be only one of the resulting problems. If this
occurred during the worst of winter, broken heating fuel supply lines
would leave the eastern seaboard in the cold.  

Buildings would not be the only victims of structural damage. Bridges,
overpasses and dams might suffer damage to the extent of being either
unsafe for use or total collapse. Helicopters could be the only way to
render aid in some areas.  Few man made structures of any kind within
our state were built with earthquake survivability in mind.  Conditions
similar to those from last year's hurricanes could become a reality in
our own communities! Individuals and families may have to stand on their
own for days or weeks. Even MONTHS! If power is off and roads are
disrupted; having food, water and other supplies stored away may be
their only source of such items for an extended period of time. Getting
serious about emergency planning at the home and business level is our
only real defense.

All families should have a good Family Disaster Plan. Some questions you
might explore in making a plan are: What are the disaster plans at your
workplace. What do they expect of you if you are at work during a
disaster? What if you are away from work when one occurs? If you have
children in school, you may want to review the school system's disaster
plans. Are they going to hold the children at school, try to send them
home or what? Next, talk with family members about what will likely
happen in these situations. Make sure everyone understands what they can
expect in all situations. Plan with family members the action steps to
take in case a fire occurs in the home. Also don't forget severe storm
and earthquake safety measures regarding where to go and what to do for
each. Make sure all responsible family members know how to shut off the
water, gas, electricity etc. and know how to use a fire extinguisher.
Consider having these family members take first aid and CPR courses if
they have not already done so. Plan for the care of your pets and
identify neighbors who may need assistance in a disaster.

Discuss how you can make contact with one another if phones, e-mail and
pagers are not functioning.  Designate two family members who live at
great distances from you who know they are to serve as information
points in case long distance service will work. Be sure children know
how to make these long distance calls without money. If you have other
amateurs in the family discuss simplex frequencies you could use if your
repeater was off the air. 146.52 or working on your repeater's output
frequency may be a good choice in some cases. Make it a habit to review
your plans regularly with all family members. 

Plan and build a family disaster supplies kit using no less than a
72-hour period. Longer periods would be better! Assemble:  one gallon of
water per day for each family member. Remember to rotate this every 3-6
months so you always have a fresh supply. Store non-perishable food
items which require minimal or no cooking, eating and drinking utensils
and manual bottle and can openers. Also keep either a supply of water
purification tablets, 2 % tincture of iodine or household bleach on hand
for additional water purification needs.

Heating sources such as "Canned Heat", camp stoves etc. will make nice
additions to your disaster kit. You do need to be mindful of the
explosion and carbon monoxide risks they pose. In disaster conditions,
observe extra caution in their use. Getting information in a disaster is
critical! Adding battery or crank operated radios and/or TV's can keep
you informed. Without AC power, darkness is another problem. Be sure to
add some chemical light sticks and flashlights with plenty of extra
batteries for all battery operated devices. Plan for optional ways to
charge amateur radio equipment batteries as well. Several manufacturers
now sell universal chargers that work well for most batteries and even
have DC cords for automobile use.  Work gloves, shovels, wrenches,
screwdrivers and pliers can be helpful items. Extra clothes and bedding,
sturdy work shoes, rain gear and sleeping bags can make disaster
extremes a little more pleasant. 

Some may scoff, but rolls of plastic sheeting and duct tape can help
with temporary repairs or even serve as an expedient tent should your
home be made unlivable. Small items such as towels, washcloths, sewing
kits, shaving kits and writing materials may sound like small concerns
now, but could be important in a disaster environment. Don't forget
extra supplies of medications (see your pharmacist and doctor) and over
the counter first aid supplies. Some extra cash and your important
papers need to be stored in a safe location. Photographs in a safe
deposit box can be very important in settling damage claims with either
insurance or disaster assistance workers. While we are on insurance, be
advised earthquake and floods are not covered under normal homeowner
policies! Talk with your agent about this.

Injuries and deaths in earthquakes most often are caused when people are
hit by objects which break free or collapse. Inside the home, bookcases
can be mounted to walls with lag bolts to keep them upright. Water
heaters can be fastened to the wall with plumbers tape to prevent their
overturning.  TV's, computers and other devices can be secured to tables
with "Velcro" and poster putty, which can be removed later with a
minimum of mess. Ceiling hooks can have tape crossed over them to help
their cargos stay put. Breakables can be kept in place with either a
shelf edging or even rubber cement. 

Rigid supply lines on stoves and other appliances can be replaced with
reinforced flexible lines that will move more freely without severing.
The easiest way to handle the problem of heavy items over beds is to
simply move them to other locations and reinforce them with some poster
putty to their reverse side. Small hooks can keep cabinet and closet
doors closed and their contents contained. Roofs can be reinforced with
plywood and 2 x 4 timbers in the attic to prevent collapse from chimney
failure or other flying objects. There you have it. With a few dollars
and a little work, you have just reduced your chances of injury should
an earthquake occur!

Do not run outside when an earthquake begins! You are far safer staying
inside as many are killed or injured by falling masonry and other
debris. Drop, Cover and Hold. Get under sturdy furniture like a desk or
table if possible, tuck your head and place your hands over your neck
and head. If that is not possible, brace yourself in a doorway being
mindful of any door that may swing closed or position yourself against
an interior wall and cover you head and neck with your hands. Wait until
the shaking stops before moving. 

Remember that many aftershocks will likely follow in the hours and days
after an earthquake. Some may be small tremors while others may be as
strong or even stronger than the initial quake.  If you are outside
during the quake, try to move into an open area away from buildings
trees and utility lines.  Drop, Cover and Hold until the quake subsides.
In a vehicle, pull off the roadway and remain in the automobile until
things settle down. Watch for downed utility lines and damaged roadways,
overpasses and bridges in your path.

After the quake you will want to check for injuries and property damage
around you. Take the time to check on neighbors and be prepared to serve
as their "first responder" should there be a problem. Keep an eye out
for gas leaks and water line breaks. If phones are working, use the
phone ONLY if you have an emergency requiring immediate attention.
Otherwise stay off the lines as overloading can shut down any phone
system that may still be working. Do not be surprised if the system is
already down. As many cell phone sites depend on AC power, they are also
likely to be off for extended periods or towers may collapse in the
quake. The best bet is to use your self powered radio or portable TV to
get general information on the incident. 

If you have your amateur gear available and functioning, check in on the
local designated emergency frequency and remember to check 3.993.5 and
7.228 MHz. for the Ky Emergency Net if you have HF capability. If the
net has not been opened, go ahead and open the net if possible and you
feel that the situation warrants. You can always close the net or hand
net control off to someone else later. Do not be afraid to open an
emergency net if you see that it is needed.

Too many times amateurs will sit and listen or a group will congregate
on an emergency net frequency and wonder aloud, "Where's so and so and
why isn't the net open?" Good question!!! You're here, OPEN IT. DO NOT
WAIT ON SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU!!! I often hear hams say, "Gee, there
must have been six or seven of us here on frequency and the net control
did not show up so we went on and did something else". Why any one of
them did not take charge of the situation and open the net I have no
clue. Granted sometimes you may not be in a position to take charge of a
net. BUT, out of several stations sitting on a frequency, surely one
could have done something even on a temporary basis. 

Remember; Preparing for one type of disaster, is preparing for all types
of disaster. Your family disaster plan and emergency supplies kit will
be useful in any emergency! Reflect back on the problems and damage you
saw last fall on TV during the hurricanes. Hurricanes are not possible
in Kentucky!  However, many other disasters, which are possible, can
equal that amount of destruction. 

Many times over the years, I have pointed out that as amateurs, we have
a unique skill and the equipment to provide assistance if we will just
use it in any disaster.  Preparing ahead of time will enable us to care
for our families AND to assist the communities we live in. Now with NIMS
becoming more of an issue in disaster response, all amateurs should be
ready to take the initiative and learn the principles involved.  Over
the next several months, I will try to prepare specialized KEN training
to show you how we interface with the whole. Stay tuned!