EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS

Utah S.A.F.E. Program Kicks Off National Emergency Preparedness Month

Sep 1, 2020, 3:35 PM | Updated: 3:51 pm

Multiple buildings along the Wasatch Front sustained damage after an earthquake near Magna....

Multiple buildings along the Wasatch Front sustained damage after an earthquake near Magna.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – If Utah learned any lessons from the Magna earthquake and aftershocks in March, it’s that we don’t know when a disaster will hit, but preparation is needed.

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month, and Salt Lake City’s Emergency Management kicked off the month Tuesday by explaining how Utah’s Schools Aid Families in Emergency (S.A.F.E.) Program is designed to respond quickly.

S.A.F.E. provides training and information to help neighborhoods respond to and recover from a major disaster.

“Everything starts with personal and household preparedness,” said John Flynt, Community Preparedness Coordinator at Salt Lake City Emergency Management. “It’s key to make sure that you and your household is prepared to actually be able to do things to respond to help your neighbors as well.”

Flynt said elementary schools are the center of that relationship, primarily because there is at least one in every neighborhood.

To help, every elementary school in Salt Lake County has what is called a Just In Time Kit.

“What it has done is broken things down and provides step-by-step instructions, broken down into functional components of how to organize your neighborhood to start making those assessments and get that information on to us in emergency management,” Flynt said.

That information will help quickly organize and set up medical help centers, find shelter for displaced residents, and arrange household reunification.

“I can’t stress how much it’s important to actually build those relationships with the residents in the community and the school beforehand to create plans,” Flynt urged.

The other part of the S.A.F.E program is for every household to assemble a 96-hour emergency kit. Depending on the extent of damage from the disaster, it could take up to 96-hours for rescue workers to reach an area.

The kit should include food, water, medications, a tool kit and clothing that’s appropriate for the season.

There is more information on what to include in a 96-hour kit, as well as how to organize a family and neighborhood plan at www.bereadyslc.com.

KSL 5 TV Live

Earthquake Awareness

The University of Utah seismograph center keeping track of seismograph stations across Utah....

Lindsay Aerts

Utah is looking into getting an early warning system to help predict earthquakes

How much would it be worth to get notified of an earthquake 16 seconds before it happened? One lawmaker says 5 million dollars, but it's worth the cost.

2 months ago

An American Red Cross van in Utah....

Karah Brackin

Red Cross urges Utahns get prepared for natural disasters during National Preparedness Month

From ongoing devastation in Hawaii to keeping eyes on the pending storm in Florida, the American Red Cross is staying busy.

7 months ago

map with utah earthquake...

Mike Anderson

Wednesday temblor was aftershock from Magna 2020 earthquake

A small earthquake that registered 2.5 shook Magna and the surrounding area just before noon on Wednesday.

9 months ago

Firefighters shore up a structure...

Mike Anderson

Utah responders practice earthquake rescue in condemned Utah church

Earthquakes and building collapses can make for some of the most dangerous rescue scenarios firefighters have to face.

11 months ago

(KSL TV)...

Karah Brackin

South Salt Lake school participates in the Great Utah Shakeout

Every year, organizations, workplaces, schools and homes across the state participate in the Great Utah ShakeOut. Lincoln Elementary was one of the schools that participated Thursday.

11 months ago

60 earthquakes under Yellowstone Lake were recorded within 12 hours Wednesday. (KSL TV Earthquake T...

Brooke Williams

Over 60 earthquakes at Yellowstone Lake not sign of impending doom

60 earthquakes under Yellowstone Lake have been recorded between 11:18 p.m. Tuesday and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, with magnitudes ranging from -0.1 to 3.7.

1 year ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Utah S.A.F.E. Program Kicks Off National Emergency Preparedness Month