September 25, 2023 |
Photo – Hanna Community Preparedness meeting – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99
A Hanna resident arranged an emergency preparedness meeting to help her neighbors prepare for a disaster.
The Hanna Community Preparedness meeting was held last Thursday, September 21st. Around 30 people attended the first informational event of its kind in the Hanna Recreation Center. Representatives from the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, SCWEMS, Office of Emergency Management, and the Hanna Fire Department were on hand to educate attendees about how to prepare for a potential disaster.
Hanna Senior Center Manager Debbie Schasteen arranged the emergency preparedness meeting. Schasteen said last winter’s excessive snowfall made her worry about vulnerable Hanna residents. The senior center manager said residents must help one another during an emergency.
Schasteen said she organized the meeting to inform residents about the emergency services available to them. Schasteen said Carbon County has the greatest first responders and she wants people to know.
Carbon County Emergency Manager Lenny Layman gave a 30-minute presentation about emergency preparedness. Layman said the first step to being prepared for a disaster is conducting a Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, or THIRA. Laymen said you need to be aware of and prepare for the types of disasters you are likely to face.
Residents of Hanna are most likely to face winter storms and wildfires. In September of 2020, the 316 Fire caused an evacuation order to be issued for the entire town.
Layman said the first thing people must consider when preparing for an emergency is how they receive information. Carbon County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Supervisor Tracy Newbrough encouraged residents to sign up for the county’s phone alert system called Alert Sense. Newbrough said the emergency contact system informs first responders about who needs additional help when a situation occurs.
Alert Sense allows law enforcement to call or text residents about potential emergency situations. Layman said an Alert Sense warning gives people advanced notice of events they should be aware of, such a fire or flood.
Layman said people also need to consider how they share information. The emergency manager said to spread the word when you become aware of a potential hazard.
Layman said the Red Cross recommends that people have enough supplies to survive two weeks in their homes. The emergency manager said preparedness is a personal choice. Layman said aiming for two weeks is likely to help people decide how prepared they need to be.
Layman said people should be ready to shelter in place if required. Residents should also have a plan to leave their homes if necessary. Such a plan should include the list of necessities you’ll need if evacuation is required. Layman said returning to your home during a disaster can be fatal.
Layman said being prepared during an emergency allows you to take care of yourself and your family, allowing first responders to devote their time to assisting people in need.
