Carver County’s emergency preparedness campaign ReadyCarver now has a new website. Visit www.ReadyCarver.org [1] to get the latest in local emergency preparedness information.ReadyCarver is a Carver County initiative to help individuals, families and community groups get involved and get prepared for emergencies or disasters and get connected by volunteering with local agencies. Carver County residents can use ReadyCarver to learn how to get informed about emergencies or disasters that may occur in their neighborhoods and to take action. Carver County Public Health launched the ReadyCarver initiative in 2006 as a collaborative effort between the Carver County Red Cross, the Waconia Area Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Carver County. It serves as a resource for speakers, displays, brochures and other materials to your group, organization or business. ReadyCarver reminds residents that emergencies can result from many causes – severe weather, train derailments, chemical spills, illness or infectious diseases, radiological agents, terrorist-related events, and accidents of many kinds. Here are some important questions we all need to consider: w What if a tornado hits without warning?w What if power is out for days or weeks?w What if a disease outbreak closes schools in Carver County?w What if a blizzard blankets Minnesota?Individuals and families need to start planning and preparing now for these types of emergencies. Businesses and other organizations need to start planning and preparing to have business continuity. Cities and counties need to do the same. ReadyCarver can help people get started by focusing on three main areas:Get informed: Since we know there are many kinds of emergencies, finding out how to prepare for situations that could occur here in Carver County is the first step. Some of the most likely incidents include tornadoes, floods, chemical spills and disease outbreaks. You can find out more information about these and other crises at the ReadyCarver.org site which links to the state’s emergency preparedness website, www.codeReady.org [2]. Get prepared: Make a communications plan and assemble emergency/disaster kits. Family Communication Plans and Emergency Contact information cards are available online at www.ready.gov [3] and www.redcross.org [4] which can be accessed through ReadyCarver.org. Assemble three kits: (1) a kit to provide the necessities if you cannot leave your home or location. (2) a kit to take with you in case you need to evacuate your home or location.(3) a kit to keep in your vehicle at all times. Complete lists for kits are available online at www.ReadyCarver.org [5]Get connected: Once your family is safe, help your community by volunteering. Three volunteer-based organizations in Carver County have formed this ReadyCarver collaborative effort and are looking for volunteers to help in community emergencies. The Carver County Red Cross, the Waconia Area Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Carver County have a lot in common. They look for Carver County residents who are interested in helping their community, no matter what their individual backgrounds or abilities may be. They all train volunteers in emergency preparedness, and they all know that the first response to an emergency will be a local one.No matter which organization you may choose, volunteers will not be asked to perform functions they are not trained in or are uncomfortable doing. Volunteers will work under the supervision of trained staff and will have specific information about what they should do and how they should do it. All volunteers have the option of saying “no” to any request.Red Cross volunteers arrive shortly after disaster strikes, whether it’s a single-family house fire, storm, flood or other crisis. They help find food, shelter and clothing for individuals and families. Red Cross volunteers also get involved in emergency communications between family members and military personnel. They may also work at bloodmobiles, teach health and safety classes, and assist office staff.Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers work hand-in-hand with fire departments, law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services partners, in emergency and non-emergency situations. CERT members are trained in neighborhood disaster response capabilities, acting when first responders are not immediately available. These include disaster medical operations, shutting off utilities, emergency communications, light search and rescue and disaster psychology.
Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers go into action when there is a public health emergency. They may staff a mass dispensing clinic, giving antibiotics or injections, or they may alert residents when a health hazard threatens by providing needed health communication. MRC volunteers are trained in the following: Individual and Family Preparedness, Psychological First Aid, National Incident Management System, Emerging Biological Agents, and Pandemic Influenza.
When you are considering which volunteer organization you want to join, you can start at ReadyCarver.org which links you to these organizations and more information.
Representatives of ReadyCarver make presentations to groups, businesses, and other organizations about emergency preparedness and volunteering. If you know a group that might like to schedule a presentation, or you want to know more about ReadyCarver, contact us at (952) 361-1314 to leave a message or e-mail info@readycarver.org [6].