Point Reyes Disaster Council Drills
October 16, 2009 10:05:16 AM PDT
Lyons Filmer held on at KWMR while the Shakeout narrative was on the air. School children ducked under their desks and were accounted for when the "shaking" stopped. The Point Reyes Community Presbyterian Church Philosophy Club clung to the blessedly sturdy legs of the tables in the back room at the Station House Cafe. Vicki Leeds realized that there was only room for one under her desk at the Cabaline. Paul Kaufman discovered that his Disaster Council Radio CAN reach all the way from Tomales Bay Oyster Company to RIch Clarke in Downtown Marshall. The Fire Department learned that their Disaster Council Radio does not hold its charge any more (it is a very early model, and Richard Dillman had replace it with a new one by noon)! The Communications Team learned that the Fire House has a new phone system, so calls intended for the Fire Department ring in the Comm Center.
Yes, we had fun, learned a lot, and moved a few steps closer to knowing what to do when the Big One hits.
Thank you, everyone, for being part of a successful drill.
Even if you weren't actively participating, your role in the over-all Disaster Council goals is an important contribution.
We knew that a lot of you would be over-the-hill or at work and unable to Duck, Cover and Holdon, much less call in on your Disaster Radio. That was part of why we eagerly embraced the chance to do a drill mid-week. We feared we'd hardly get any response.
Not so.
Every area that could, called in -- and most had 50% or more of its NLs reporting. I know that many of you walk around outside, looking for a "sweet spot" where you can get a clear signal. Your ingenuity and persistence really pay off. Inverness Park Middle had 4 reporting by radio, 2 by phone and, as the AC put it "we'll have to check the other three areas by foot." Indeed, that is what would have to happen in a real situation. We can not expect everyone to be at home and able to report. Those of us who DO report in will have to cover for those who cannot. That's why we practice!
Yours,
Libby Coleman
October 9, 2009 1:51:12 PM PDT
The Monthly Radio Check
Our regular monthly radio check will be irregular this month. Remember, we are timing it to coincide with the Great California Shake Out.
At 10:15 a.m. on Thursday (10/15), people all over California will be participating in this drill.
KWMR will interrupt its programming to announce the "Shake". They will instruct listeners to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
- 1) pretend that a severe earthquake hits at 10:15 and lasts about 75 seconds
- 2) pretend to assess damage in your own home and in your neighborhood
- a) if you are a Neighborhood Liaison, call in to your Area Coordinator reporting that this is just a drill and that all is okay
- if you are an Area Coordinator, after you have received reports from your NLs, call the Comm Center saying that this is just a drill and x neighborhoods have reported in
- if you are on the Comm Team, report to the Comm Center and set up to receive the calls that will be coming in when ACs have received their reports
- 3) remember, the Comm Center can not respond until it arrives on site and sets up. This drill will give us some idea about how long that will take.
The Comm Center will not begin with the net control, though they will make an announcement when the drill is completed. If you are not going to be available to participate, please notify your AC. If you are an AC, please notify your back-up.
-Libby Coleman