RC 11th Ward - Rose Canyon Stake Emergency Preparedness Plan

Restoring Hope and Peace

The City of Herriman and State of Utah have encouraged communities (in our case, the RC11th Ward) to organize an easy-to-implement emergency response and reporting process. Their suggestions include the following steps:

Provide two emergency tags per home:  EVACUATED  and  HELP.  Regardless of the emergency, each household would tape to their glass door, or window closest to the front door, the EVACUATED sign before leaving.  That way, emergency responders can at a glance know the home is empty.  If they are at home and need help, they would post the HELP sign and emergency responders would immediately enter the home to assist the occupants.

Our community is most concerned about the following emergencies:  wildfire, earthquake, pandemic.

1. Wildfire:

In case of a mandatory evacuation, such as we’ve experienced with wildfires in the past, the occupants of each home would quickly post the EVACUATED sign and then orderly drive out of the community.

Every home should have items ready to grab and go such as bug-out bags, folders with critical information such as property titles, birth and marriage certificates, written contact information, and other personal documents you wouldn’t want burned in a fire.  These items should be gathered into one or two folders and placed in a safe or another location that is easy to get to and grab.  When an emergency hits, that’s not the time to start searching for important documents.  Please refer to the attached document, “Grab and Go Binder”. Turn off AC to minimize smoke damage.

Make a list of important items you wish to grab in a bug-out situation and post it in your closet.

If you are unable to leave due to physical limitations, post your HELP sign and you will be quickly assisted.

2. Earthquake:

The State of Utah not only predicts a 6.5 or greater quake along the Wasatch front, but they say we’re overdue. Additionally, the recent 5.7 quake in Magna was only a mild version of what they expect to occur.  In the case of a severe quake, our communities will be cut off and we will need to shelter in place.  It is expected that all utilities will be lost - electricity, gas, water, sewer, garbage pick-up and likely cell phone service. In addition, bridges will be out and many roads not usable.

Response:  Evaluate your family’s condition and post the HELP sign if that is needed.  Once the family is determined to be safe, send at least one adult to the church where communication and assistance will be available.

1. The first member of the Ward Council to arrive at the church will open the building, retrieve the ward emergency plan box, set up a couple of tables and chairs (west foyer) and initiate the ward plan.
2. The next adult or WC member will assist with the plan.  These first two people will stay at the church and facilitate the emergency response.
3. One of the two leaders will greet people as they arrive and determine if they could help with the door-to-door search.  They will be sent to the other volunteer who will have them sign in on a clipboard with the time and ward zone they’ll be canvassing.  They will be given a clipboard with a map of the ward with the 6-10 homes they’ll go to.  The 2 volunteers head out together to their zone. They will quickly look for a HELP sign and go to that home first. Next they will knock at each door, ask how everyone is doing and if any help is needed.  Responses will be noted on the clipboard for each address. If no one answers, that will also be noted for later follow-up.  The duo will then report back to the church as quickly as they can.
4. When all zones have reported, a message is sent to the Stake detailing our info.  This will be via cell, ham radio, walkie talkie or runners.  In this plan, the young men will be designated as runners between our building and the Stake Center.
5. Communication from the Stake an No d Herriman City will be collected and posted for people to read.
6. People who need emergency help will receive it from community emergency response personnel.
7. A large earthquake that would take out our infrastructure will require weeks, if not months, to repair, so plans will be organized by the Stake and Ward Council to work with the Church and City to provide water, food and medical help.

3. Pandemic: 

Our current situation (COVID-19) is a good wake-up call for this event.  When help is needed, post the HELP sign.  Contact will be made in an appropriate manner to ascertain what is needed:  medical supplies, food, water, and even burial.

4. Other:

We could also plan for Civil Unrest, EMP and other disasters, but our response will be similar to those above.

Training:

Training the Ward Council on the plan and practice the plan.

Other items for our Emergency Box:

Bottled water for those going out to conduct surveys and for the volunteers at the church, granola snack bars, flashlights, pens & markers, spare signs for the home.

Determine the resources of the Ward members:

1. Attached is a list of resources by ward members that included equipment and other medical or emergency talents.
2. Survey members for food, water, clothing supplies (week, month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, year+)
3. Each member will respond directly to the Bishop for this survey for confidentiality (?)
4. Have unit members sign up for the reverse 911 from Herriman City.

Roll out to Ward Plan:

Phase 1: Initial Communications

• Communication to the ward of what is in place / structure / response plans

• Emergency protocol / plans for different types of emergencies
• Communications
• Survey of Resources
• Invitation to update contact information on LDS tools / Church website
• Invitation to sign up for reverse 911

• Response Plan for Ongoing Quarantine: (Suggestion to send out to the ward for long term quarantine) Add ideas here

1. Essential items to have

1. Food (1 week minimum to start, work to 3 months and then a year)
2. Water (minimum of 14 gallons per person)
3. Cooking equipment
4. Clothing for all seasons
5. Propane / gas
6. Medical supplies
7. Sanitation supplies
8. Alternate shelter if home is determined uninhabitable (tent large enough for family and some gear)

2. Essential actions to take

1. Create printed copy of contact info incase phone is damaged
2. Collect essential documents into one place/folder
3. Create lists of things to grab if given 5 mins or less to evacuate; another list if given an hour or more to evacuate
4. Have a family gathering location in case of emergency evacuation
5. As a family, go room to room and identify the safest places to shelter in case of an earthquake

3. Financial Actions:

1. Have an employment contingency plan
2. Secure at least 3 months of cash in the home

4. Other Recommendations

1. In an emergency, take a deep breath, grab your checklists, gather the family and follow the plan.