Download Fall 2011

Rockwall county
command post
Rockwall County Office of Emergency Management
Situational Report : October - December 2011
 Burn ban still in effect.
Violation fines cost up to
$500.
 Register for Nixle to receive
urgent alerts from Rockwall
County Emergency
Management.
 Drought conditions persist.
Please use caution and
refrain from burning
outdoors.
 Become a fan on Facebook!
Volume 1I, Issue 4
What is an AED?
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that checks
the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to
restore a normal rhythm. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest
(SCA).
SCA is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops
beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital
organs.
SCA usually causes death if it's not treated within minutes. In fact, each
minute of SCA leads to a 10 percent reduction in survival. Using an AED on a
person who is having SCA may save the person's life.
The most common cause of SCA is an arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation
(v-fib). In v-fib, the ventricles (the heart's lower chambers) don't beat
normally. Instead, they quiver very rapidly and irregularly.
Another arrhythmia that can lead to SCA is ventricular tachycardia (TAK-ihKAR-de-ah). This is a fast, regular beating of the ventricles that may last for
only a few seconds or for much longer.
In people who have either of these arrhythmias, an electric shock from an AED can restore the heart's normal rhythm. Doing
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on someone having SCA also can improve his or her chance of survival.
Follow us on Twitter
@RCEMO.
 Stage 3 water restrictions
start November 1. Please
reduce water usage.
www.wateriq.org
AEDs are lightweight, battery-operated, portable devices that are easy to use. Each unit comes with instructions, and the
device will even give you voice prompts to let you know if and when you should send a shock to the heart.
Learning how to use an AED and taking a CPR course are helpful. However, if trained personnel aren't available, untrained
people also can use an AED to help save someone's life.
You often find AEDs in places with large numbers of people, such as shopping malls, golf courses, businesses, airports,
airplanes, casinos, convention centers, hotels, sports venues, and schools. You also can purchase a home-use AED. Rockwall
County currently has AEDs located in the Rockwall County Historic Courthouse, Rockwall County Government Center and
the Sheriff’s Office. AEDs will soon be in place in the Rockwall County Library as well as the new County Courthouse.
If you received a paper
copy of the “Command
Post” and would like to
subscribe to the newsletter
via email, please let us
know at
emergencymanagement@
rockwallcountytexas.com
In this issue:
An instructional video on when and how to use an AED can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIGSb1zxGlA.
SOURCE: NHLBI
Volunteer Focus: CERT
What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is about readiness,
people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest
number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster
situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a
difference.
How does CERT help in the event of a disaster?
What is an AED?
1
Volunteer Focus: CERT
1
Coordinator’s Corner
2
Upcoming OEM Events
2
Disaster Spotlight Wildfires
2
The CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains
them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster
medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist
others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately
available to help. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by
opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims
safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective. When help does arrive, CERTs provide
useful information to responders and support their efforts, as directed, at the disaster site. CERT members can also
assist with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community. CERTs have been used to distribute
and/or install smoke alarms, replace smoke alarm batteries in the home of elderly, distribute disaster education
material, provide services at special events, such as parades, sporting events, concerts and more. CERT members
also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency
preparedness projects in their community. http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/
For more information about CERT teams in Rockwall County, please contact our office at 972-204-7080 or
via email at [email protected].
COORDINATOR’S CORNER
What will fall bring? Over the past couple of years, we have seen a shift in the weather patterns. How does this affect our
emergency management efforts? From a planning standpoint, not a whole lot. What does that mean? We approach our
planning efforts with an all hazards approach in mind; basically looking at responses to manmade or natural disasters the
same. The plans identify the roles, responsibilities and structure of managing the incident, rather than specifically trying to
address all the different kinds of responses. This is not only true for Rockwall County, but also a national way of planning
and responding to disasters.
Rockwall County Office of
Emergency Management
Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office
972 T.L. Townsend Dr.
Rockwall, TX 75087
So back to the original question, what will fall bring? According to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, we will
continue with an unusually dry fall and winter. We would need approximately 15 to 18 inches of rain in a month to bring us
out of our drought conditions. The chances for grass and wildland fires will continue to be a factor until next spring. We are
encouraging residents to take an active role in helping reduce the chances for these types of fires. Currently, Rockwall
County is under a burn ban until October 18, 2011. At that time, the conditions will be evaluated to see whether or not the
burn ban will be extended. Please refer to the Rockwall County website for the status of the burn ban. Please refer to the
“Disaster Spotlight”, below for ways to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about personal preparedness or programs that we offer. As
always: Stay Informed, Get Involved and Be Ready.
Tel: 972-204-7080
Upcoming Events for Rockwall County OEM:
E-mail:
October 22
October 29
November 11
November 24-25
December 23,26
[email protected]
STAY INFORMED.
GET INVOLVED.
BE READY.
8am - 5pm : EastTex CERT Training - Fate Fire Station
8am - 5pm : EastTex CERT Training - Fate Fire Station
County Offices Closed - Veterans Day Holiday
County Offices Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
County Offices Closed - Christmas Holiday
Rockwall County Emergency Management
Needs Volunteers!
If you or someone you know would like to
Office of Emergency Management
serve the citizens of Rockwall County, please
apply today!
Joe DeLane
Emergency Management Coordinator
[email protected]
Joe Ellis
Emergency Management Specialist
[email protected]
Melanie Jensen
Emergency Management Clerk
[email protected]
Disaster Spotlight - Wildfires
Approximately 90% of wildfires in  Keep water handy.
Texas are caused by people.
Seemingly harmless things like  Have someone with you to spot any
fires that the sparks ignite so that
outdoor grilling, dragging safety
they can be caught while small.
chains behind a trailer, welding and
building campfires can accidentally  Avoid parking vehicles in dry, tall
start a dangerous wildfire.
grass.
Use caution when:
Baling hay
Burning debris





Obey all local burn bans and
restrictions.
Postpone burning when conditions
are dry or windy.
Establish wide control lines down
to bare mineral soil.
Never leave fire unattended.
Keep water and hand tools nearby.
Escaped debris burning is the number
one cause of wildfires in the State of
Texas. Firefighters across the state
cite inadequate fire breaks and
failure to stay with outdoor fires as
the two most common reasons for
escaped fires.
Welding/grinding/cutting

Photo: Bastrop County Wildfire 9/4/2011
At least 1,554 homes were destroyed by the
Bastrop County Complex fire, more than by
any other single fire in Texas history. By
comparison, the second-most destructive fire
on record, in April 2011, destroyed 168 homes,
while the third, in December 2005, destroyed
116.

Remove vegetation from the work
area.



out.




Dragging chains can start a grass fire
along the road without your
knowledge. A small piece of hot
metal rips off the chain when it
comes in contact with the pavement.
When in contact with dry vegetation
it can ignite a wildfire. Check to make
sure your chains are secure and short
enough not to drag.
Check bearing frequently and stop READY, SET, GO!
use if they get too hot.
READY. Prepare for the possibility of a
Remove any loose hay trapped wildland fire before the threat occurs.
around rollers-the friction can build Take preventive actions to make your
up and start a fire.
home safer from the threat of wildfire
Keep a fire extinguisher and field by using Firewise and similar principles
sprayer nearby in case a fire breaks (firewise.org).
Camping



Check local restrictions on campfires.
- Remove combustible materials from
around your home. Keep grass mowed
short.
SET. Elevate your family’s awareness
Build and burn campfires in a metal when fire weather occurs or when
box or fire pit only.
wildland fire activity increases. Form a
Do not build a fire in dry, windy family disaster plan.
conditions.
- Agree on an evacuation plan that
Make sure the campfire is at least 15 includes what to do if you get separated
feet from surroundings and low and where you’ll go in case of
evacuation.
hanging branches.
Use an approved gas stove as an - Pack critical medicines, important
documents, family heirlooms to be
alternative for heating and cooking.
ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
If charcoal grills are permitted, use
GO. This is the simplest step: Execute
them only over fire proof surfaces your disaster plan by leaving early, well
such as asphalt or bare mineral soil.
before the fire arrives.
Where vegetation cannot be
removed, use a sprayer to wet
down the work area prior to Using lawn equipment and motor
starting welding operations. Wet a vehicles
wider area on the down-wind side
 Keep mufflers and spark arresters on
from the welding location. If
lawn care equipment in proper
working in the same area for an
working order and watch out for
extended period, re-wet the
rocks and metal when mowing
vegetation surrounding the work
site.
If instructed to evacuate, do so! Your
“stuff” isn’t more important than your
LIFE.
SOURCE: Texas Forest Service
http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/main/
article.aspx?id=8512