A key emergency preparedness and disaster response skill — one rarely mentioned — is knowing how to breathe to decrease stress, increase alertness, and foster health during a crisis situation. While learning how to breathe is easy, the hardest piece may be choosing the best model for beginning the breathing conversation.

Different techniques might resonate better for different people: learning how to breathe from a yoga teacher, a Lamaze coach, or “tactical/combat” breathing as taught by an instructor from a more military-style paradigm.

Tactical breathing is quite simple: Breathe in to a slow count of 4, hold for 4, breathe out for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, repeat!

Youtube offers many videos to help get you started with building your team to be great breathers!

Tip: Encourage anyone with a Smart phone to download a “breathing” App! Examples: Tactical Breathing Trainer, or Breathing Zone.

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September 20th, 2010 | Tags: health, Public Health, techniques, Technology | Category: 2010, STAT, STAT 5MM | Leave a comment

The NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group (IRG) is a DMI partner.

Situated in the world’s beating heart of technological innovation—and an extremely earthquake and wildfire prone state—the Carnegie Mellon University Silicon Valley campus is quietly emerging as hub for a technological revolution in disaster management. In March 2010, the university launched the Disaster Management Initiative (DMI). This far-reaching effort combines local talent and resources in the public and private sectors with the university’s expertise in software engineering, mobility, robotics, cyber-security, networking, data mining and wireless sensors. All-in-all, it’s pretty cool stuff.

Attend DMI’s session “Journey to the Far Point: The Silicon Valley’s Development of the Disaster Management Initiative” at CESA2010 to learn about ongoing projects and partnerships. Check out DMI’s visions for fully integrated technological solutions to disaster management challenges. And, DMI robots will be conducting a “meet and greet” and signing autographs at the end of the session. Just kidding.

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September 4th, 2010 | Tags: CESA2010, DMI, Steven Ray, Technology | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Another great step on your path to becoming masterful at communicating before, during and after disasters is to flex your communication channels. Create a list of your existing options, so you know HOW to get your message out.  Some ideas — telephone, fax, e-mail, cell phone, voice mail, text message, Skype, website, blog, social media, and other online platforms. Remember to flex low-tech options including posting signage, using runners, and distributing handouts. Tip: equip your team with a sustainable no-tech option such as whistles on their keychains.
Create a list of ALL of your available options, with their log-in codes, instructions, or other needed information. Make sure your team knows how to prioritize, and can quickly choose the most appropriate method. Knowing that you can reach your key audiences should decrease anxiety and increase confidence for your team.

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February 8th, 2010 | Tags: communication, e-mail, Information, internet, low-tech, no tech, online, Phone, social media, sustainable, Technology, web | Category: 2010, STAT, STAT 5MM | Comments (1)

Technology becomes fancier, cooler and more widespread every year.  But remember that even the best technology can fail!

Make handy paper backups of your most critical information.  Do not depend on your memory for any critical information, no matter how familiar it feels now. Record vital information on paper — even something as basic as a list of often-used phone numbers — so if your cell phone is lost, broken, or unusable, you can still make phone calls.

Digital address books often have an export or printout option.  Most cell phone companies offer a data backup service.  Look for these opportunities to print out this information – or simply write it down.  Digital versions can be edited and re-printed regularly.  Store a paper back up in multiple places such as your work, your car, or off-site storage.

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October 9th, 2009 | Tags: back, backup, inform, Information, low-tech, prep, Preparedness, recor, tech, Technology | Category: STAT 5MM | Leave a comment

On June 2nd 1896, Enrico Marconi patented the radio. Early radios couldn’t transmit sound and instead used Morse code, limiting them to maritime communications. Radios still are used not just for entertainment purposes but as key communication tools in emergencies.

Consider the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio (NWR). The NWR broadcasts local and national emergency weather information 24 hours a day, from fire-risk conditions and flash floods to tornado warnings, as well as post-event information. These receivers activate and emit a buzz during a warning. You can buy dedicated NOAA radios in various sizes, and some have additional features, such as clock radios or walkie-talkies. If you include an NWR in your agency or personal go-kit, you can get information when you need it most!

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June 2nd, 2008 | Tags: communication, go kit, Technology | Category: 2008, STAT | Leave a comment

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced his intention to put a man on the moon within ten years. This call to action, and its well defined goal, united the nation and gave us some of our finest achievements. The landing wasn’t accomplished in one giant leap, but after thousands of small, well-defined steps. Make preparedness easy to accomplish by creating simple, measurable, achievable goals. Suggestions: designate places where preparedness information will be posted; mark the location of all safety supplies; and put a link on computer desktops with safety information. If you dedicate 3-5 minutes to safety and preparedness at the beginning of every staff meeting, you will be consistently moving toward your goal, building the collective wisdom of your team, and achieving many successes along the way.

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May 25th, 2008 | Tags: Information, Preparedness, Technology | Category: 2008, STAT | Leave a comment

May 13th, 1937 is the birthday of Englishman Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio. After watching a TV show exploring barriers to effective communication in regions of Africa lacking electricity, Baylis developed his first prototype in 1991. By 1996, his wind-up radio had won a BBC Design Award for Best Product. Functioning without batteries and electricity may become necessary in a crisis. When assembling an emergency Go-Kit, include some wind-up choices: radios, flashlights, lanterns, clocks, signals, and cell phone chargers (or perhaps combinations of the above). These items are readily available, especially in camping supply stores, and often cost under $20. Choosing essential items with hand cranks can reduce costs, may be lighter to carry, and is a “green” way to use fewer batteries.

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May 12th, 2008 | Tags: communication, crisis, Technology | Category: 2008, STAT | Leave a comment

Discovered on February 18th, 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, Pluto was acknowledged as the ninth planet in our solar system until 2006. When more sophisticated technology allowed Pluto to be better examined, the International Astronomical Union downgraded Pluto’s classification to “dwarf planet.” Pluto didn’t change, but the way it is defined and classified changes the way it will be discussed, listed, researched, etc. Titles and classifications can matter — for many years, preparedness and emergency services roles were simply considered “other duties as assigned.” Review your preparedness and emergency services related positions. Do the titles and classifications acknowledge and validate the importance of these roles? Prepared and resilient people and businesses create safer, stronger, healthier communities and a more robust economy. Be sure your titles reflect the importance of the job.

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February 18th, 2008 | Tags: Emergency, Preparedness, Technology | Category: 2008, STAT | Leave a comment

On May 14th, 1796, the English doctor Edward Jenner for the first time inoculated someone against the smallpox – by injecting a young boy with the fluid from cowpox blisters on a young milkmaid’s hand. It would be decades before vaccinations became commonplace. Today, the technology is far more sophisticated (and less grizzly). But with our state-of-the-art technologies, we still face the fundamental challenge: how to reach every person in the country, to share simple solutions and potentially life-saving information. No matter how complex your disaster problems may seem, or how sophisticated your solutions may appear, be sure you put quality time and energy toward building your most basic strength: the ability to communicate with all of the people you are responsible to serve.

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May 14th, 2007 | Tags: Information, Technology | Category: 2007, STAT | Leave a comment