Thank you!
What Does Being a Block Captain Entail? Be there for and assist your neighbors during times of disaster. Help the City of Orem quickly determine where our limited resources are needed the most. Responsibility for no more than 10 families/homes.
Before the Disaster or Drill Try to meet yearly with all residents of your block. Discuss preparedness strategies and neighborhood plans. Learn, write down and review information about all family members. Discuss any special skills and equipment neighbors may have. Ask each homeowner s consent before action as a Block Captain on their property.
Before the Disaster or Drill Walk through or talk about a disaster scenario. How would you respond? Inform others of your responsibilities as Block Captain. Block Captain steps. 1. Take care of your own family. 2. Check on others homes on your block. 3. Make sure homes are safe for entrance. 4. Document any damage or injuries. Everyone a Block Captain The more people that understand these steps the better. Block Captain may not be available, someone needs to check on the block!
Safety Concerns Home and/or Building Inspection. Fire Suppression. Search, Rescue and Triage.
Home and/or Building Inspection DON T enter an unsafe home or building. Look for: Roof sagging or large cracks in the structure. Leaning exterior wall or masonry chimney. Broken or loose electrical wires. Popping or cracking noise. Broken glass above entry points. Smell for natural gas.
Home and/or Building Inspection Once inside, continue to look for damage. Large open cracks. Sagging beams across openings. Deformed studs in open bearing walls. Natural gas smells.
Fire Suppression Fire requires four ingredients to burn. 1. Fuel 2. Heat 3. Oxygen 4. Chemical Reaction Be careful: Fires double in size every minute. A fire extinguisher can put out a fire the size of a 55-gallon drum. Remember to be safe, you are not a firefighter!
Fire Suppression Types of fires: Class A Ordinary solid materials. Wood, paper, cloth, trash and plastics. Extinguished by: water, foam, or dry chemical. Class B Flammable liquids. Gas, petroleum oil and paint. Extinguished by: foam, CO2, or dry chemical. Class C Electrical equipment. Motors, transformers and appliances. Extinguished by: CO2 or dry chemical. Class D Combustible metals. Potassium, sodium, aluminum and magnesium. Extinguished by: Special agents. Evacuate/don t fight! Class K Cooking oils, fats and greases. Animal fats and vegetable fats. Extinguished by: Wet chemical.
Fire Suppression How to extinguish SMALL fires: Don t consider yourself an expert. Have the correct fire extinguisher for the type of fire. Have a buddy. Use PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
Search, Rescue and Triage Killer ABC s Airway Check for breathing. Head, tilt-chin, lift method. Listen for breath. Bleeding Check for major bleeding. Pressure points and bandages. Circulation Shock Signs, symptoms and treatment.
Flagging Flag your home first, then train others to flag their own home. Green All residents are well, no help required. Yellow Minor injuries sustained, help when available. Red Major injuries sustained, help needed immediately. Check on and flag un-flagged homes. Check all homes before focusing on one victim. Recruit help!
Document and Report Final, and most important step. Documentation Seen as a nuisance. Saves duplicating efforts. Ensures accuracy of important facts and reporting. Reporting Block Captains report to Neighborhood Captains (Ward boundaries). Neighborhood Captains report to Area Captains (Stake boundaries). Area Captains report to City of Orem Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Conclusion Professional responders will not be able to respond everywhere immediately. Many hands helping will make response more efficient and effective. Our community will be greatly served by your efforts.