Sandbagging

Use sandbags to form barriers that prevent flood water from entering spaces.

Filling Sandbags

1. Team member 1 holds and empty sandbag open on the ground in front of his or her feet.
2. Team member 2 empties shovelfuls of sand (or dirt or gravel) into the open bag, until the bag is 1/3 to 2/3 full.
3. Team member 3 stacks and stockpiles the filled sandbags.

Sandbags do not need to be tied, although they can be tied loosely at the top.  Untied sandbags form a tighter seal when stacked.

For larger operations, bag-holding racks, funnels on the back of trucks and other power-loading equipment (if available) may be used to speed the process.

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Moving Sandbags

Sandbags are typically moved using a passing line.

To set up a diagonal-passing line:

1. Team members stand side-by-side in a line.
2. every second team member takes a small step back.
3. Unmoved team members turn around to face the members who took a step back.

Use your knees and not your back when lifting sandbags.

When constructing a barrier on an incline, taller team members should be at the end of the line that is farthest from the barrier.

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Building a Sandbag Barrier

1. Clear any debris from the area where sandbags are to be placed.
2. Dig a trench for to six inches deep and two sandbags wide.
3. Line the trench with heavy duty plastic (poly), extending the plastic across the trench and away from the bottom row of sandbags and toward the water.
4. Place a row of sandbags length-ways and parallel to the direction of the flow around the edge of the plastic to anchor it.  Overlap sandbags, tucking the open end under the bottom end of the next sandbag.
5. Stagger the second layer of bags perpendicular to the first layer.  Layer the barrier like a bric wall with each sand bag overlapping the one below by half.
6. Stamp sandbags firmly into place to eliminate gaps and create a tight seal.
7. Roll the plastic over the anchoring row of sandbags and anchor again.
8. Place additional layers of sandbags in alternating directions.
9. Once the barrier is at the appropriate level, fold the plastic over the top of the barrier and anchor it with extra sandbags.

Barriers more than three layers high should be layered in a pyramid structure using a ratio of 3:1.  For every foot in height, the base must be three feet wide.

Information obtained from Salt Lake CERT Field Operations Guide.

Gas Meter and Shutoff Valve

In the event of an emergency, locate the main gas service shutoff valve and shut off the gas.  Main gas shutoff valves are normally located near the gas meter

Outside Meters

• Gas meters and gas service shutoff valves are usually located on the side or in front of a building.

Cabinet Meters

• In some cases, gas meters may be located in a cabinet enclosure built into the building or located inside the building, with the shutoff valve located outside on a section of gas pipe next to the building.

Gas Shutoff

1. Use a non-sparking wrench to turn the valve clockwise one-quarter turn.
2. Valve is closed when it is crosswise to the pipe

Gas Turn-on

Natural gas flow should only be turned on by a licensed technician

Do not shut off the gas unless you:

            smell gas, hear gas escaping, 

                             see a broken gas line or
                                            suspect a gas leak.




If you are unsure whether a gas meter has a shutoff device, contact the gas service company.

Information obtained from Salt Lake CERT Field Operations Guide.

Electric Utility ShutOff

Electricity Shutoff

In the event of an electrical emergency, locate the circuit breakers or fuses and shut off the power.


Circuit Box

1. Switch off individual breakers
2. Switch off main breaker

Fuse Box

1. Unscrew and pull out individual fuses
2. Pull out main fuse block -- Use caution:  metal parts may be hot.

Electricity Turn-on

When turning the power back on turn on the main switch or breaker first, then screw in the fuses or switch on the smaller breakers, one at a time




Do Not Enter a flooded basement or standing water to shut off the electrical supply.  Water conducts electricity and you could be electrocuted.



Information obtained from Salt Lake CERT Field Operations Guide.

How To Size-Up

Photo from www.ci.richmond.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=2344

Before responding to a disaster, size up the situation.  Size-up is a continual process of examining and evaluation the damage in an environment.  It will enable you to make decisions and respond appropriately in the areas of greatest need.


CERT Size-up Steps

1.  Gather facts

• What has happened?
• How many people appear to be involved?
• What is the current situation

2.  Assess and communicate the damage

• What has happened?
• What is happening?
• What could happen (i.e., how bad could things get)?

3.  Consider probabilities

• What is likely to happen?
• What could happen through cascading events?

4.  Assess your own situation

• Are you in immediate danger?
• Have you been trained to handle the situation?
• Do you have the equipment that you need?

5.  Establish priorities

• Are lives at risk?
• Can you help?  Remember, life safety is the first priority!

6.  Make decisions

• Base your decisions on an assessment of the situation and in accordance with the priorities that you established.

7.  Develop a plan of action

• Create a plan that will achieve your priorities
• Simple plans may be verbal, but always write down more complex plans.

8.  Take action

• Execute your plan, documenting any deviations and status changes so that you can report the situation accurately to first responders.

9.  Evaluate progress

• Evaluate your progress in accomplishing the objectives in your plan of action to determine what is working and what changes you may have to make to stablize the situation.

Information obtained from Salt Lake CERT Field Operations Guide

Tips for First Responders

Whether you are responding to an emergency caused by natural forces such as a fire, flood or tornado, or
one caused by a terrorist attack, you will likely encounter persons with some type of disability who will require special assistance.  Some disabilities will be obvious.  Other disabilities, including some cognitive disabilities, mental illness or multiple chemical sensitivities, are difficult or impossible to detect.

The Center for Development and Disability has produced these pages as quick, easy-to-use procedures for assisting persons with disabilities during emergencies as well as during routine encounters.  They are not meant to be comprehensive, but contain specific information that can be read quickly either before or while they are responding to an incident.

Click on the link below to access the pages:

Tips for First Responders

Burns: First Aid - MayoClinic.com

This information posted from www.MayoClinic.com.  Click on the link for additional information:

Burns: First Aid - MayoClinic.com

To distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the first step is to determine the extent of damage to body tissues. The three burn classifications of first-degree burn, second-degree burn and third-degree burn will help you determine emergency care.

1st-degree burn
The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burned, but not all the way through.

• The skin is usually red
• Often there is swelling
• Pain sometimes is present

Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint, which requires emergency medical attention.

2nd-degree burn
When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is called a second-degree burn.

• Blisters develop
• Skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance
• There is severe pain and swelling.

If the second-degree burn is no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, including first-degree burns and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, take the following action:

• Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, or other material that may get lint in the wound. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 2, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Caution

• Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause a person's body to become too cold and cause further damage to the wound.
• Don't apply egg whites, butter or ointments to the burn. This could cause infection.
• Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection.

3rd-degree burn
The most serious burns involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.

FOR MAJOR BURNS, CAL 911 OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP.

Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:

• Don't remove burned clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.
• Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock).
• Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin CPR.
• Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible.
• Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist cloth towels.

Get a tetanus shot. Burns are susceptible to tetanus. Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster.

CERT Vests

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