Willamette Towers safety features:

There are two fire extinguishers in each residential hallway.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TIPS

See the end of this article for more links regarding emergency readiness.

Introduction

An emergency is an event in which an individual resident will summon help, medical or other—for example, an ambulance or EMTs. Emergencies are primarily the responsibility of the individual resident.

A disaster is an event with building-wide or community-wide consequences. In a disaster, your most immediate source of help is the preparation you have made beforehand.

The following information will help you prepare, and includes:

• How to identify types of potential emergencies and disasters.
• What steps to take immediately following a disaster to secure your unit and protect yourself and others in your unit.
• How to prepare two kits: a) one containing things you will need to shelter in place on your own; b) a lightweight smaller version to take if you must evacuate.
• Help creating a list of your personal emergency contacts.

Possible Disasters:

Earthquake; Tornado or hurricane; Winter storm; Fire; Flood;

Terrorism; Hazardous material spill; Power outage

Willamette Towers Safety Features

• Fire alarm and sprinkler system
• Smoke detection system
• Stairwell door release system
• Fire extinguishers
• Emergency lighting—short-term exit lights only
• Battery backup for FOB receivers
• Hand-operated garage door openers
• Battery backup for elevators

Whether to purchase earthquake insurance has been a topic of discussion since 2015. The January 2015 minutes presents much research on this subject.

Steps to Take in Case of Fire

Note: There are two fire extinguishers, one at each end, in the hallway at each floor.

• Call 911
• Activate the building alarm: Pull the red fire alarm handle located by each stairwell door.
• Use the stairs to exit the building. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
• If there is smoke coming in under your door, stay in your unit. Put a wet towel along the bottom of the door to block the smoke. Lie on the floor, where the most breathable air is likely to be.

If you cannot get to the stairs, call 911, even if the fire truck is arrived.

If you are unable to walk down the stairs, go to the open balcony at the north end of the building and wave a dish towel (or something) at the fire fighters and call 911 and tell them of your location.

If there is smoke in the hall, put a wet rag over your nose and mouth and stay low to the ground as you travel to the stairs. If your door knob is hot to the touch, do not open your door. Fire could be burning on the other side. Call 911 and tell them of your location.

Steps to Take: ShakeAlert and Steps Following a Major Earthquake

ShakeAlert early warning system

The ShakeAlert early earthquake warning system is live for Oregon as of March 11, 2021. Apps can be had for Android and Mac iOS phones. Information at the ShakeAlert website.

Steps to take following an earthquake

In a major earthquake, there may be strong shaking, heavy furniture moving, plaster falling from ceiling and walls. What should you do?

During an earthquake, get under a table, cover your neck and head, hold onto the table and stay put until the shaking stops. Face away from any windows. Stay clear of tall objects that may tip over. If you’re in bed, stay there and again, cover your neck and head with a pillow. Most injuries are from falling/flying objects and broken glass. Keep away from windows and do not go outside in an attempt to escape your home. Staying inside appears to give you the best chance of avoiding injury.

If you are in the elevator, exit once it has stopped moving and the door opens. If the electricity is cut to the building, the elevator’s backup battery will take over; it will pause briefly and then go to the nearest floor and the door will open.

After shaking subsides, remain calm but be prepared for aftershocks. Get out flashlights even if the power is still on. Keep land telephone lines open as much as possible. Turn on a battery-powered radio or use a hand-crank version. Do not expect to be able to use your car.

Once the event is over, be careful of the potential of broken glass on the floor or ground. Protect your head, feet and hands.

Take care of those living in your unit. Determine if anyone in your unit needs additional assistance.

Determining whether to shelter in place or evacuate depends on the nature of the disaster. If the event affects more than the Willamette Towers, local officials will advise on evacuation and provide route and destination information.

If it is necessary to leave the building, DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR. Exit using either the north or south stairs.

Planning for a disaster remains the responsibility of individual residents, keeping in mind such requirements as physical assistance, pet care, personal papers, medical identification, food, water, and medicines.

Additional information can be found at the following web sites:

We are in the Jefferson Westside Neighborhood, and they maintain these public safety tips and useful tools.

Living on Shaky Ground: How to Survive Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Oregon , from the University of Oregon Geology Department.

Oregon Office of Emergency Management: Earthquakes.

The Great Oregon Shakeout - prepare to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes.

OPB News: Unprepared - Will we be ready for the megaquake?

Ready: Build a Kit to be prepared for disasters.

Red Cross Store: Emergency Starter Kits .

Supply Kits

Each resident should plan for circumstances unique to his or her specific needs as well as for the general supplies required to live for perhaps several days without help. This means providing for your own food, water, first aid, and sanitation whether you remain or evacuate.

A container under the bed (accessible in darkness and nearby) should contain sturdy shoes, sturdy gloves, a flashlight, and these tip sheets for ready access to specific information. Most emergency responders also recommend a hard hat or bicycle helmet and a whistle.

Here’s a handy shopping list and schedule to prepare yourself.

A portable kit ready for evacuation would contain:

• Emergency contact information
• Food
• Water
• Basic first-aid supplies
• Flashlights and extra batteries (a head lamp is particularly useful)
• Prescription medications and eyeglasses
• Extra warm clothing, poncho, sturdy shoes
• Sanitation items: toothbrush, soap, moist towelettes, toilet paper, plastic bag
• Specialized items like hearing aid batteries
• Food for pets
• Credit, identification, and health insurance cards
• Cash
• House and car keys
• Any other items to meet your family’s unique needs
• Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, wills)

A kit for sheltering in place would contain All the above items, plus:

• Extra batteries, multiple flashlights
• First aid kit – commercially-prepared to ensure completeness
• Have a hand-crank radio to receive local emergency broadcasts
• A knife + multi-tool device (common brands are Leatherman multi-tools and Swiss Army Knife with attachments, for example)
• Liquid detergent
• Manual can opener
• Matches in a waterproof container or a lighter
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Garbage bags
• Duct tape
• Plastic sheeting
• Hard hat or bicycle helmet
• Face mask, bandana

Most disasters allow little or no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities, which is why planning ahead is essential. Your kit needs to be portable and a size and weight that you can comfortable carry if you must evacuate. The two components of your kit are 1) water and 2) everything else.

Water:

You should store and have available at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. A normally active person needs a minimum of one-half gallon daily just for drinking. For the safest, most reliable emergency source of water, purchase commercially-bottled water in handy, portable sizes. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until needed. Observe the expiration or “use by” date.

Food:

When assembling an emergency food supply, avoid foods that make you thirsty. Stock canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking water, or special preparation. Consider MREs—meals ready-to-eat—pouches rather than cans as they are easier to handle. Juice/protein shakes are a good option. Be sure to include a manual can opener if you do not have a Swiss army knife. Provide for any special dietary needs.

Maintaining supplies for safety:

Keep canned foods in a dry, cool place. Store boxed foods in tightly-closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests and extend shelf life. Discard any canned goods that become swollen, dented or corroded. Use foods before the expiration date and replenish with fresh. Change food supplies every six months and change water supplies when the label indicates. Write the storage date on all containers. Keep items in airtight plastic bags and place food in one easy-to-carry container.

Keep a hand-crank radio for local emergency broadcasts (these often run on batteries as well). An emergency solar hand-crank AM/FM radio with a flashlight and cell phone charger can be purchase for approximately $40 from Amazon.com. There are simpler versions available locally.

Pets: Store enough pet food to feed your pet for at least three days. Pack a leash and bowl and perhaps a carrier. (Pets are not allowed in shelters.) Include any special medication. Red Cross can sell you a pet first aid kit. Make sure your pet is wearing a securely-fastened collar with current ID information. Keep veterinary records with your other important papers. Keep a photo including both you and your pet.

Make a contact list to put in your emergency kit including your emergency telephone numbers.

Click Here for a printer friendly version of a contact list to put in your emergency kit. This will include your emergency telephone numbers.

Here is the federal government ready.gov website. It is recommended that if you do only one thing, you follow the ready.gov section on Making a Plan.

Here are some instructions from FEMA on food and water in a disaster.

A FEMA App is available for your phone. FEMA recommends downloading it so that it will already be on your phone should a disaster approach or occur.