Emergency/Disaster - You can't predict ..but you can prepare

The house down the street is on fire. Would you know what to do?

The earthquake has passed — the ground has stopped shaking. Do you know how to search for your friends and neighbors?

The hurricane has passed. Do you know how to tend to your family's injuries?

When disaster strikes, you may not be home. Who will check on your family? Who will check for gas leaks? Who will take care of your pets?

Now is the time to get some training and prepare yourself with lifesaving skills. If you want really comprehensive training to give you the skills and self confidence to face an emergency, it's time to check out CERT training.

I am a CERT and a Block Leader in the city of Cupertino and I'm proud of it and as part of our ongoing trainings and exercises, just last month, on Oct 17-18, we conducted a citywide drill.

The purpose of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is to educate members of the community about disaster preparedness for natural disasters and other emergencies which may affect their area. The program trains individuals in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical response. Trained CERT members are prepared to assist in their neighborhoods or workplaces following an emergency before professional responders are available to help.

When a disaster occurs, first responders will be overwhelmed. This is when those with CERT training can temporarily fill in and meet immediate needs. When help does arrive, CERT responders can provide professionals with the information they will need to begin immediate aid to victims.

CERT team members may also be used in their communities to promote emergency preparedness and to help educate others. In some communities they have helped to install smoke detectors, teach the use of fire extinguishers, educate neighborhood watch groups, and much more. Immediately after a disaster they can assist with evacuation, coordinate collection and distribution of clothing and other donations, prepare food for first responders, answer phone calls for fire and police departments, and offer comfort at evacuation sites.

Check out Cupertino Emergency site and resources. Register for classes. Get trained. Get actively involved. Help your community be prepared for the emergency. Together, we can make a difference !

One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!

Have you heard about Freecycle and wondered what it was all about? There are already over 2.9 million members in over 3,000 local groups globally! The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items.

Freecycle's mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community.

• This cycle of giving helps ease reliance on consumerism while building local community and keeping usable item out of the landfill.
• You can get to know members online and in person, if you choose, and develop closer ties to your local community.
• In 2005, 100 million tons were saved from the landfill due to the efforts of local Freecycle members. "One gift at a time" has made a huge impact locally !

Visit Freecycle.org to find a group in your area. The main rule: Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages. Think globally, recycle locally. The Freecycle Network is open to all communities and to all individuals who want to participate. Freecycle groups are run by local volunteer moderators from across the globe who facilitate each local group - grassroots at its best!

Happy Freecycling ! I'm doing it, I'm sure you'll also do it.