Jacksonville Fire Department to Host “READY BOOK” Class on November 17th

Imagine the following scenarios: 1) a wild land fire envelopes Jackson County, cutting Jacksonville off from neighboring communities, severing transportation and food supply routes 2) an earthquake hits Southern Oregon, causing massive structural damage and cutting-off Jacksonville from outside help, 3) a massive storm strikes the area, causing a multi-day loss of electrical power and natural gas supplies.

The above are real possibilities – the READY BOOK is your best defensive tool in case of natural disaster or other emergency. Designed by emergency responders, the booklet was designed to help you survive emergencies as best as possible.

Fire Chief, Devin Hull

On Thursday, November 17, residents are invited to join the Jacksonville Fire Department for an informative class on using the READY BOOK – a comprehensive booklet used to store important information – information that could save your life in case of emergency or natural disaster. The hour-long free class will be held at 6:00pm at the fire station at 180 N. 3rd. Street.

According to Jacksonville Fire Chief Devin Hull, “Essentially, the READY BOOK is a multi-page, bound journal that is filled-out and then kept in a secure place and accessible place in case of emergency. In the event of a natural disaster or medical emergency, caregivers and medical professionals will use the information contained in your waterproof READY BOOK to access your personal and medical information, all in one place.”

The READY BOOK contains 8 easy to use Tabs or Sections:

Tab 1: Introduction and Instruction pages.

Tab 2: Instructions and Photo pages are used to fill in the names of residents, service animals and pets. Hull says, “Emergency responders don’t always know what a resident looks like, so having a photo handy is really useful for i.d. purposes.”

Tab 3: Emergency Phone Numbers includes contact information for caregivers, family, friends, doctors, pharmacists, insurance companies, veterinarians, attorneys and other key figures in your life. A handy 10 page section provides ample room to list all prescription medications and dosage amounts as well as a clear plastic sleeve pocket to store copies of all your prescriptions. “In an emergency situation, especially with injuries involved, we really need to know the victims’ medical needs. Accessible information is key to helping us help you,” Hull says.

Tab 4: Your Important Papers provides another plastic sleeve to store important medical papers. Hull notes, “This would be a great place to store copies of your living will, donor card and other important medical-related information.”

Tab 5: Emergency Supply Instructions provides a check list to prepare a “Go-Kit.” In case of evacuation, Hull says, “your Go-Kit is critical – we will suggest using a gym bag or backpack filled with vital supplies such as an extra change of clothes, spare eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries, dentures, oxygen, personal care items and a host of other recommended supplies.” Class attendees will learn how to pack a Go-Kit that is customized to each family member. “And don’t forget Go-Kits for your pets,” Hull says.

Tab 6: The Emergency Supply Instructions provides a check list to prepare a “Stay-Kit,” used to hunker down for days during an emergency. Hull notes, “The class will cover what items are most needed to survive for 72 hours – from water, food, blankets, tools, to first aid supplies and more.”

Tab 7: I.D. Band Instruction section provides 5 arm bands used to identify household members. “In case of evacuation, you need to be wearing a waterproof wrist band that can be scanned and used to identify you, your family members and your pets in case you get separated from each other,” Hull says.

Tab 8: contains a “Notes” section to be used for information not contained elsewhere in the Ready Book.

Each book also contains a “Help” and “Okay” window placard to alert passing emergency response teams as to your condition. “In the event of a major natural disaster, placing the bright red HELP sign in your living room window could make the difference in receiving emergency help or not. While cruising your neighborhood, if we can see you need help more easily, chances are dramatically increased that we will get to you much sooner. And, if you are okay, we are able to then attend to others in your area who need help knowing your household is safe,” Chief Hulls says.

During the class, each attendee will receive a free copy of The READY BOOK.

For more information, please contact the Jacksonville Fire Department at 541-899-7246.