Add the following supplies to your disaster supplies kit:

• Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
• Sand to improve traction
• Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.

Prepare your home and family

• Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
• Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
• Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
• Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
• Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
• Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors or employees.
• Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow – or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.
• Check your generator or other emergency power source and be sure you HT is charged.
• Be sure your outside antennas are secure and check connections for tightness (prior to the storm).

Prepare your car

• Check or have a mechanic check the following items on your car:
  • Antifreeze levels – ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing.
  • Battery and ignition system – should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean.
  • Brakes – check for wear and fluid levels.
  • Exhaust system – check for leaks and crimped pipes andrepair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.
  • Fuel and air filters – replace and keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas.
  • Heater and defroster – ensure they work properly.
  • Lights and flashing hazard lights – check for serviceability.
  • Oil – check for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.
  • Thermostat – ensure it works properly.
  • Windshield wiper equipment – repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level.
• Install good winter tires.Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
• Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.
• Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes:
  • a shovel
  • windshield scraper and small broom
  • flashlight
  • battery powered radio
  • extra batteries
  • water
  • snack food
  • matches
  • extra hats, socks and mittens
  • First aid kit with pocket knife
  • Necessary medications
  • blanket(s)
  • tow chain or rope
  • road salt and sand
  • booster cables
  • emergency flares
  • fluorescent distress flag

Dress for the Weather

• Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
• Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
• Wear a hat.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

For more information:

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/winter/wi_before.shtm

 

 

 

http://www.ncarrl.org/ares/training.html

Training for ARES and RACES Required by North Carolina Emergency Management

NC Section ARES/RACES Training Policy

Mandatory Training

Why?

Who?

• All North Carolina ARES Appointees and Officials at the EC level or above.
• Any ARES member participating in exercises or real emergencies with any of the served organizations.

North Carolina Emergency Management Training Courses

These courses are mandated by the State of North Carolina. They are developed by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

• IS-100
• IS-200
• IS-700
• IS-800b (If you have already had an 800 course, you do not have to take it again)

Some EOCs require additional courses. For example, Pitt and Orange counties require IS-300 and IS-400. All Emergency Coordinators must contact the local Emergency Management department and other agencies served to determine what additional training is needed for their respective county or counties.

For now if we are certified, it's lifetime.

How to Get the Training

These courses are internet-based self-study. They are available free of charge from the FEMA web site.

Record Keeping and Registration

An invitation will be sent to each NC ARES/RACES appointee with the URL for the database and a unique password allowing access to the database. Registration is simple. It requires your contact information and your ARRL appointment. It features an easy upload mechanism to upload pdf files for each of your course certificates as received from FEMA. The database can be found online at http://www.nc-ares.org/.

 

DECs and ECs have already been sent invitations with their passwords. If you are one of these appointees and you have not received your invitation, send mail to Tom Brown, N4TAB. After the initial registrations are complete, ECs will invite their compliant local ARES members to have them included in the database. Note that completion of the four ICS courses listed above is required.