23 Aug

Save the Date: The Great California Shakeout 10/15/20

Great California Shakeout Logo

This year we are actively participating in the Great California Shakeout. In the era of Coronavirus, practicing at home is the most practical.

On October 15, 2020 at 10:15am we will all Drop Cover and Hold on. After 60 seconds, we will all practice our Map Your Neighborhood 9 Steps (the first 6 steps that we do at home). In lieu of step 7 which would have us all go to our Neighborhood Gathering Sites, we will instead get on our walkie -talkies and tune in to channel 5 for a neighborhood roll call. We will conclude with a discussion of the Shakeout Drill and what we learned.

FROM THE GREAT SHAKEOUT WEBSITE

Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Have your members  Drop to the ground, take Cover under a table or desk, and Hold On to it as if a major earthquake were happening (stay down for at least 60 seconds). Practice now so you will immediately protect yourself during earthquakes! (See this page for what to do if in bed, outside, driving, in a tall building, or other situations.) For people with disabilities or access and functional needs, download our preparedness guide (661 KB) PDF.

While still under the table, or wherever you are, look around and imagine what would happen in a major earthquake. What would fall on you or others? What would be damaged? What would life be like after? What will you do before the actual earthquake happens to reduce losses and quickly recover?

Practice what you will do after the shaking stops.

After your drill is complete, have discussions about what was learned and incorporate these lessons into your disaster plan.

Remember: this is a good opportunity to think about securing items in your home that could fall and injure someone in an earthquake. Also a good time to check your disaster kits and restock as necessary.

05 Jul

MWJN ZOOM RADIO WORKSHOP 7/8/20

Example Radio plan

As part of our preparation for our RADIO DRILL on July 26, we are offering a guided workshop hosted by Pierre Landry via Zoom on Wednesday, July 8 from 7-8:30 pm. We will be covering:

  • How radios fit into our MYN Response Plan
  • Review of the the block-level radio plan
  • Basic 2-Way radio tips
  • Practice radio transmissions
  • Next Steps

Please email: info@mtwashingtonjessica.org to sign up and get the Zoom link

05 Jul

Radio Days – July 11-12, 18-19, 25 – Bring Your Radios

The doctor is “In”


COVID-19 RULES: MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED

“Radio Days” refers to an informal, socially distanced walkie-talkie clinic from 10am – 2pm hosted in the driveway/garage at 909 Oneonta Drive. In preparation for the MWJN Radio Drill on 7/26, our radio team will spend their weekends between now and then helping you get your FRS radios working. Maybe the batteries are dead and corroded. Maybe you never learned how to turn it on or change the channel. Maybe you’re experienced with walkie-talkies at work but unfamiliar with how we use them in this neighborhood.

We’ll have some handouts and practice scripts and information about our Radio Drill on 7/26

Masks are not optional for Radio Days and will be provided if you don’t wear your own. There will be a sign up sheet for half hour time slots to minimize waiting times.

Don’t forget to bring your radios! If you don’t have one, we can provide one.

JULY 2020 SPECIAL Donations of $30 will receive a pair of fully programmed FRS radios with charger. $15 will get 1 radio.

MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR PRACTICE: Every Sunday at 7pm on channel 5

10 Oct

Sunday Radio Practice

EVERY SUNDAY AT 7PM on Channel 5

neighbor with radio

neighbor, Lucas, with radio

Every Sunday we virtually gather on channel 5 at 7pm.  The idea is we get used to knowing where our radios are and keep them charged or with fresh batteries so that when we really need them in a disaster, we’ll be ready and know what to do. Its also an opportunity to check in with the neighborhood and make sure everyone is ok. And to have a safe way to connect with those around us.

The format of the radio practice is informal. We organize the call in by street name. When your street name is called say your first name or call sign and the name of your street, so “This is Andrew on Palmero”. You will get some kind of acknowledgement and perhaps info on how clearly you can be heard. Please join us! If you don’t have a radio, we may be able to connect you with someone on your block who has spares. We can also offer a pair of radios to anyone donating $30 to to our nonprofit. See our donate page and specify in the notes the quantity of radios you would like.