Heavy Rescue Squad: 'Remember Three Day Rule'

Patricia Simms, secretary/treasurer of the Morris Township Heavy Rescue Squad, reminded residents about a piece of advice that has been widely circulated since Hurricane Katrina; the idea that residents should possess all items necessary to take care themselves for a minimum of three days in emergency situations.

"Our main goal is to be there for the citizens but with this type of storm coming, emergency services cannot get to everyone," Simms said, "so we need people to have a three day supply at least and be safe. Prepare now."    

Something you can do in advance, according to ready.gov, is prepare an emergency kit. Here's what to include:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional Items To Consider Adding To An Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. 
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

As you prepare your emergency kit, the members of the Heavy Equipment Squad will be hard at work getting ready for the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

On Wednesday, they were busy making sure was in good working order so that they can effectively help residents when the storm hits.

"Last night we double checked our pumps, chain saws, generators and other equipment," said Patricia Simms, secretary/treasurer of the Heavy Equipment Squad. "We made sure the gas was full and everything started and was in safe working order."

Simms said the members of the squad held a safety review and revisited the proper use of a piece of equipment called a "hot stick." This item "is used to register any electricity before approaching a downed tree or going into a flooded basement."