By Nancy Hiser
With climate-related disasters on the rise and our unique community risks, part of everyone’s preparation should include knowing what digital resources will be helpful.
Here are easy resources to adopt. Most are free for Android and iOS.
By printing some information out, you will have hard copies when you need them and do not have online access.
Public Alerts: Sign up to receive messages by text, email, or voice message about live emergencies: traffic, weather, fire, and water alerts. Local hazards, readiness, and recovery information are free and available for anyone who lives, works, or visits our area. Go to: https://www.publicalerts.org/
Shake Alert: An early earthquake warning (EEW) system that detects significant shaking, giving you valuable seconds to take steps to be safe by sending a real-time text message on cell phones and other mobile devices. They make a distinctive sound and display a text message that reads, “Earthquake Detected! Drop, Cover, Hold On. Protect Yourself.” Go to: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/hazardsprep/Pages/orshakealert.aspx
American Red Cross Safe and Well Website: Register yourself as safe and well after a disaster. From a list of standard messages, you select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being. Concerned family and friends can search the list of those registered as “safe and well” to learn about your welfare. If you don’t have internet access, call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family. Go to: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones.html
First Aid: Emergency situations that may require first aid can occur anytime, anyplace. The American Red Cross First Aid App is an important tool everyone can download to their mobile device, putting free and simple lifesaving information at their fingertips. Step-by-step instructions are provided for over 20 kinds of injuries with videos and the option to call 911 directly. In a real emergency, turning on Location Services will enable the app to find nearest hospitals. Go to: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/Red-Cross-First-Aid-App-Can-Help-Save-Lives.html
Zello: A walkie-talkie on your phone. Users can send short audio messages to one another. Go to: https://zello.com/downloads/android/ or https://zello.com/downloads/ios/
Join NET at our online meetings by emailing our chair: Andrew Beckman at andrew.beckman1761@gmail.com.