Disaster Preparedness, July 25

What do you think will happen if we have a major disaster here in Coos Bay?  Do you think that emergency responders will be able to respond to you if you need help?  Studies have shown that about 1/3 of the population is not prepared because they are relying on emergency responders, and 2/3 of the population believe that emergency response will be the same in the first hours and days of a disaster.  The truth is that in any major disaster the response of emergency responders for day to day emergencies will be greatly diminished.  The local resources will be very busy and will have to prioritize responses.  In a major disaster, our community’s ability to respond and recover is directly related to the preparedness of individuals, households, and neighborhoods. The City of Coos Bay and the Fire Department in our continued commitment to community safety, is offering a class on disaster preparedness.  Even though a disaster can come in many forms from a Tsunami, to a wildfire, to a prolonged power outage, the preparations that you should make are very similar.  The class is designed to give you the basic understanding of what a disaster is and how to prepare for it.  This class is being offered to anyone living in the Bay Area at least 18 years old.  The class will be held on August 12th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Coos Bay Fire Station No. 1, located at 450 Elrod Avenue.  The Coos Bay Fire Department is committed to keeping the community safe. Please check our website and watch for announcements for future training opportunities on fire safety, CPR, and disaster preparedness.  If you would like to reserve a seat or if you have questions, please call the Coos Bay Fire Department at 541-269-1191.