Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Winter Vehicle Safety Kit Revisited 2013

Time for that yearly reminder about taking essential survival gear and food along for that winter ride.  Remember that in a storm situation you might find yourself considerably off course or off the roadway out of sight for a very long time. 

The simplistic - less than detailed suggestions that you might get from certaingovernment entities or the fluff safety sites do you a disservice and likely insult your intelligence.  Here are some pics and some basic tips.
 























Mobile Phone Charger - make sure it is for the phone YOU are using and Label it as such.
All current model phones if not activated - can be used for 911-ONLY Calls
Keep old phone programmed with Emergency Numbers and Charged/Spare Charger - Label With an ICE Sticker & 911-ONLY. Store in Sealed Clear Container




Blankets - Synthetic or Wool - NEVER COTTON.
Mylar Rescue Blankets Reflect Heat and Take Up Far Less Space
Best Bet - If You Can Afford Them - Sleeping Bag - Synthetic Fill or Down (Lighter-Smaller)


Flashlights - LED Headlamp would be a smarter choice - one that is powered by LITHIUM Batteries - CR123 Cells  Get High Quality Polymer Flashlight (Laser products) that operates on CR123 Cells - they function at lower temperature.  
 
Spare Batteries - Yes -  spare Phone Battery as well Place Purchase Date and Self Imposed refresh date on container.

Candle - Carry a 120 Hour 3 Wick Candle as Well for Heat/Cooking and Light Waterproof Matches Sealed in a Container With Strikers or even Better a Survival Butane Lighter - Windproof Model for Fire Starting

Tools: Good Survival Knife from Gerber, Buck, Leatherman Tool - Standard Tool Kit - once again, no junk as it will fail. Duct tape, paracord, screwdrivers/torx/allen/wrench/multisocket tools/fuses/plastic sheeting or tarp to name a few.
 
Signalling:  30 Minute Fusees, LED Flashers or Marine Strobe Lights - Especially Useful if on the move or you need to start a fire in wet weather.  A Survival Mirror wold be helpful but you can use the vanity mirror on your visor.

First Aid Kit - Make it Yourself - the store bought Ones are usually insufficient except for scratches - likely you are off the road and injured. Adventure Medical Kits are available in sporting stores and online - start there. If you take meds you better take a supply with you before you trek off through the mountains like some diabetics did last year....foolish.

Food - Solas Rations (Boat Rations) should be stored on board - they take up less room and are made specifically for this reason and spoil on you. U can get 3 days worth about the size of a laptop. If you are going for a ride of course take some food to eat along the way and to have for an emergency as well. you could store MRE's in the winter months if you have the room.

Food Prep: Get a small mess kit from Gander or Boy Scout Store or an old military surplus canteen and cup to cook anything else you might happen to acquire and be able to melt snow. You might be stuck longer than you think.

Water: Without Water You Die - Simple. store Treated Water on Board Have a Way of Purifying water you secure from melted snow or streams. Learn how to use it beforehand.

Clothing - Synthetics are Best - Thermal Underwear/Socks/Liners/Wool WatchCap/Sythetic Full Hood-Mask/ Mittens-Liners/Spare Underwear / Down Jacket - NO COTTON. Package in Stuff Sack or Backpack - Always carry a pair of season appropriate shoes/boots in a bag with socks inside already.

Sand/Litter - You call on that - consider rock salt mixed with the sand - carry in a durable container - you will get friction if you use it....best of both.

Jumper Cables - When you are rescued you likely will need a jump start - select the largest gauge cables you can find if you have a large battery (6 GA)

ICE Scraper - We would hope you had one of these already either part of the extendable snow brush or along with your snow shovel.

Snow Shovel - Don't rely on junk - it will break - instead get a short wood or plastic handled flat steel shovel (aka "banjo") for about the same price
Fire Starting Kit - Windproof Butane Lighter, Boat Matches, Striker Kit, Solid Fuel Bars, Magnesium Striker, Waterproof Case (like Military Decon Kit or Snap Lid Box)
 
Compass/Map:  Sure your phone had those features but it is broken...and maybe you subscribe to a vehicle safety system...or maybe not. Last resort....map and compass.

Sanitation: You will begin to stink in a few days and you will have to relieve yourself...go outside or stay inside - make preparations for that...Wag Bags, Old Drink Containers and of course - toilet paper.

You can certainly add more gear as you see fit but this is a minimum kit. 
Of course make sure your vehicle is up to the task and you have it properly serviced and all your spare tires and parts are functioning or on board.
 

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Winter Fire Safety Preparedness



Hydrant sorely in need of help here....vines too! Houses across the street.

A Cicero NY firefighter responded to our notice rescuing this fire hydrant!

Winter is no time to hibernate when it comes to preparedness and fire safety especially...while you are out shovelling, snow blowing or plowing, please take a few minutes to remove obstructions (SNOW) around your nearby fire hydrant.  If you live in a fire district with volunteers remember it may take extra time for them to respond to your fire....those 10 minutes will seem like an eternity.  Why have them waste even more time shovelling to your hydrant?

Update 12-12-10:  We've added a zipped file of posters on the main page of the website and Adopt A Hydrant Certificate files so your FD can create their own posters and let people "adopt" a hydrant for the purposes of ensuring it is clear of any obstruction (snow) in the event of a fire.....    check them out....   http://www.ice4safety.com/


Confirm this by watching news on 12-9-10 from ABC WIXT here: http://tinyurl.com/2f2sgcx

Having an obstructed hydrant could result in a delay in knocking down your fire and the sacrifice of 1-2 firefighters that might be better used fighting the fire or doing a rescue...now think about that.  Don't wait. 

Get the latest Winter Fire Safety Kit for your organization right here:  12-27-10

We try to support those who will be responding to our calls for help and have done so for years.  This idea is certainly timely and important - especially in this retched economy where the cost of services keep going up and the level of service keeps going down.



Okay here is a hydrant in DEWITT, NEW YORK shoveled out recently(okay, we used a snow blower!) so even a Fat Santa can get around this one ....or a heavily outfitted firefighter.  10 feet of clearance all around so the snow plow won't block it in.  Don't scrimp here. Teach the kids how to do it.  


Suggestions:  Town/Village/City could place a family (or families) name on the hydrant that is charged with clearing it out (See Pics) using easily applied label tape or they can implant a locater stake with a flag with the names on it.....and keep a spreadsheet database of names.....contests or business sponsorship (they can clean out theirs as well) are all possibilities.   We have included an "Adoption Certificate" in our Fire Safety Zipped File so Fire Chiefs or sponsors can issue them to willing participants.....which should be everyone.  This goes for dry standpipes in rural communities as well. 


  


Snowstorm predicted for this week.....get your shovel on!


Adopt This Hydrant.

Fire Chiefs or Town/City Officials Can Issue "Adoption Papers"


NEW!.....Notify your local Fire Department yourself that you are Helping Out! 

Steve Cannerelli Photo Syracuse Post Standard 1-19-11   ISO Rated #1 Fire Department

WIXT News and B104.7 Radio Have Joined the Chorus  2-9-11

Is this as easy as it seems?  Yes it is.... 



Before
After
Some People Requested a Visual Representation.  There you go.

ICE4SAFETY has expanded to Wordpress now as well.....