The government can help. Before your mind wanders to all of the examples of where you think your government could have done more, or different, let me also say—helping yourself is pivotal, necessary and far more comprehensive and immediate than anything your government will ever be able to provide.
        The Sandy Community Emergency Operations Center (Sandy EOC) was created to coordinate services prior to, during and after disasters. This group of representatives continues to identify additional areas for improving collaboration and therefore services.
You CAN help
        The Sandy EOC is currently looking for the following representatives:
              • Special Needs/Vulnerable Populations Representative
              • Ham Operators (6)
              • Business Interests Representative
              • Volunteer Coordinator
              • Recovery—Unmet Needs Coordinator
              • Animal Issues Representative
              • Community Organizations Active in Disasters Representative
              • Donations Management
              • Technology Specialist (website, GIS, cabling, etc)
        Meetings are ‘brown bag lunches’ that occur on the third Friday of every month at 1130hrs - 1300hrs at Sandy Fire Main Station, 17460 Bruns Ave, Sandy Oregon 97055. To apply for one of the positions listed above, please contact Alice Lasher at sfd72fmo@hotmail.com or (971) 563-3051.
        Past experience in our area has demonstrated that winter weather can extend into March and therefore including a few safety reminders seems in order!
        Our community members did an excellent job of checking on their neighbors, reporting wires down and minimizing all unnecessary travel during our severe weather. For Sandy Fire District, the busy holiday season, extended cold spell and deep snow, freezing rain and then more snow made emergency responses very challenging. Over a two-week period we responded to 115 incidents and approximately 100 public assists.
        We ask that you contact the EOC (503) 668-8093 if:
              • You see (or have removed) a tree in a roadway
              • You see a wire down—that has not been ‘marked’ by first responders.
              • Any of your neighbors are in need of assistance (heat, shelter, food, other).
              • You encounter any other incident you feel is not an emergency but may require attention from city or emergency services.
              • You see a car off the roadway without a ‘Already Reported’ sticker visible. Ask the fire service for an ‘Already Reported’ sticker to place in your emergency kit in your car. The fire service asks that you report anytime you are forced to leave your car behind so that we can check for hazards.
        In addition, the Sandy EOC reminds citizens in, and traveling through, Sandy to keep the following safety tips in mind:
              • Remind children about the hazards of ‘frozen’ ponds/waterways—thin ice is extremely hazardous. Supervision saves lives.
              • Notify friends or family of your travel plans and route (and stick to the route).
              • Check road conditions before traveling—tripcheck.com.
              • Minimize ALL non-mandatory travel.
              • Ensure all your vehicles have an emergency kit (suggested items include but are not limited to: flares (get trained in their proper use and storage), sturdy shoes, extra warm clothes, small shovel, food, water, cell phone/charger, crank radio—visit Ready.gov for more items.
              • Don’t pass snow plows and road sanders, de-icer trucks while spraying, or emergency vehicles responding to alarms
              • Remind others that help with heating costs may be available call (503) 668-5569.
              • Check on your elderly or infirm neighbors, help get their mail—keep them safe from falling hazards.
              • Shovel snow and spread kitty litter or sand (not salt) to help increase traction.
              • Keep water trickling from a faucet in your home during severe cold weather to prevent pipes from freezing.
              • Be patient, prioritization is taking place.
              • Ensure your fire hydrant is clear from snow.
              • Be aware of overhead hazards (snow and ice laden slanted roofs and limbs from trees can cause serious injuries).
              • Storm drains MUST remain clear. Cleaning drains around your home and in the street near your home will go a long way in mitigating damage.
Additional general winter safety tips
        Woodstove and fireplace safety:
              • Clean and inspect your chimney and fireplace for creosote build-up, cracks, crumbling bricks and any other obstructions.
              • Place fireplace or wood stove ashes outdoors in a covered metal container on a non-combustible surface at least three feet away from anything that burns.
              • To prevent flue fires, burn dry, well-seasoned wood in small, hot fires. Do not burn trash.
              • Always use a fireplace screen made of sturdy metal or heat-tempered glass to prevent sparks from escaping.
        Space heaters need space:
              • Put at least 36 inches of clear space between the heater and everything else.
              • Check the cord on portable electric heaters. If the cord gets hot, frayed or cracked, have the heater serviced by a professional.
              • Never use extension cords with portable electric heaters. It can overload
the circuit and cause a fire.
              • Turn off portable heaters when family members leave the house or are sleeping.
              • Make sure your portable electric heater is UL-approved and has a tip-over
shut off function.
              • Avoid using kerosene heaters and/or propane-fueled heaters, they can emit poisonous fumes including Carbon Monoxide—an odorless, invisible gas that disables your ability to think clearly and can easily cause death.
        Smoke alarms and home escape plans:
              • Working smoke alarms alert you to a fire and more than double your chances of surviving a fire.
              • Install smoke alarms in every home, on every level, outside each sleeping area and in each bedroom.