It is a sudden and destructive rush of water down a narrow gully or over a sloping

surface, caused by heavy rainfall.

The first priority is safety yours and your family but keep an eye on your elderly or disabled neighbors and be
sure that they are aware of the danger, too.
Stay informed about whats going on in your area and listen to the news reports and broadcasts from the
Emergency Services Broadcasts and local authorities. If you dont evacuate and you choose to stay indoors, move
to the upper floor, but keep in mind that youll need some food and water stockpiled up there, too. Also be
prepared to live in that space without power for a while.
Turn off all of your electrical and gas appliances. Utilities should be shut off at the mains.
Have a flood plan within your community, i.e. how to use flood protection products like sandbags in vulnerable
areas to prevent damage.
The important items (oil paintings, art objects, your huge plasma TV, stuff like that) must be moved to safer
areas, like the upper floor or as high as possible off the floor.
Get yourself flood insurance, because just a couple of inches of water from flooding can cause thousands of
dollars in damage.
Wear solid work gloves and boots when evacuating or when working in a post-flood environment.
After flooding, verify the structural damage inflicted upon your house, especially the most vulnerable areas like
ceilings and roofs, since they may be subject to collapse at any time.
Everything that got wet during flooding should be disinfected and cleaned thoroughly because the residue from
floodwater may contain chemicals, sewage, and a wide variety of other disease-causing bacteria.
Cesspools, septic tanks, pits and the like should be inspected ASAP after a flooding; if damaged, the sewage
systems can create serious health risks.
Now, a short check-list of DONTs during a flood:
Stay away from moving water and downed power lines or poles. Dont try to walk through flood water and if you
must, be very careful and use a stick to test the depth and feel for debris that can cause you to fall.
Avoid driving through flood water because it can be dangerous. Just one foot of fast flowing water can make your
car float, not to mention the hidden dangers like fallen power lines or trees.
Avoid touching flood water, as it may be contaminated with chemical substances, sewage, etc.
Never swim through flood water for the same reasons. Also, you can easily drown in fast moving waters or you
can be hit by a hidden object and knocked out, which can be fatal.
Do not return home until you know for a fact that its safe to do so.
Do not turn on your utilities until the installations are checked by a specialist. Gas leaks are common after a
flood so using candles and smoking is not safe. Use flashlights instead.
Do not try to handle electrical equipment or appliances in humid areas or in standing water.
Avoid using your TV if it sits on a wet carpet or floor or on humid concrete floors. The basic rule is that water and
electricity dont mix!
Do not enter buildings that are surrounded by floodwaters.

BEFORE A FLOOD (WHEN FLOODING

IS FORECAST)
Be alert.
Monitor your surroundings.
 Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, or go to www.weather.gov.
If a flash flood warning is issued for your area: Climb to safety immediately.
Flash floods develop quickly. Do not wait until you see rising water.
Get out of low areas subject to flooding.
If driving, do not drive through flooded roadways!
Assemble disaster supplies:
Drinking water Fill clean containers.
Food that requires no refrigeration or cooking.
Cash.
Medications and first aid supplies.
Clothing, toiletries.
Battery-powered radio.
Flashlights.
Extra batteries.
Important documents: insurance papers, medical records, bank account numbers.
Be prepared to evacuate.
Identify places to go.
Identify alternative travel routes that are not prone to flooding.
Plan what to do with your pets.
Fill your cars gas tank.
If told to leave, do so quickly.
Review your Family Disaster Plan.
Discuss flood plans with your family.
Decide where you will meet if separated.
Designate a contact person who can be reached if family members get separated. Make sure every family member
has the contact information.
Protect your property.
Move valuables and furniture to higher levels.
Move hazardous materials (such as paint, oil, pesticides, and cleaning supplies) to higher locations.
Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch them if you are wet or standing in water.
Bring outside possessions indoors or tie them down securely. This includes lawn furniture, garbage cans, and other
movable objects.
Seal vents to basements to prevent flooding.

DURING A FLOOD
Be alert.
Monitor your surroundings.
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, or go to www.weather.gov.
Dont drive unless you have to.
If you must drive, travel with care.
Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel.
Follow recommended routes. DO NOT sightsee.
Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue or other emergency operations and put you at further risk.
Watch for washed out roads, earth slides, and downed trees or power lines.
Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
If the vehicle stalls, abandon it.
If water rises around your car, leave the vehicle immediately. Climb to higher ground as quickly as possible.
NEVER drive through flooded roadways. STOP! Turn Around Dont Drown.
The roadbed may be washed out.
You can lose control of your vehicle in only a few inches of water.
Your car may float. Vehicles can be swept away by less than 2 feet of water.
Do not drive around a barricade. Turn around and go another way!
Get to high ground Climb to safety!
Get out of low areas that may be subject to flooding.
Avoid already-flooded areas and do not attempt to cross flowing water.
 Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.
Evacuate immediately, if you think you are at risk or are advised to do so!
Act quickly. Save yourself, not your belongings.
Move to a safe area before access is cut off by rising water.
Families should use only one vehicle to avoid getting separated and reduce traffic jams.
Shut off water, gas, and electrical services before leaving.
Secure your home: lock all doors and windows.
If directed to a specific location, go there.
Never try to walk or swim through flowing water.
If flowing water is above your ankles, STOP! Turn around and go another way.
If it is moving swiftly, water 6 inches deep can knock you off your feet.
Be aware that people have been swept away wading through flood waters.
NEVER allow children to play around high water, storm drains, creeks, or rivers.
Shut off the electricity at the circuit breakers.
If someone falls in or is trapped in flood water:
Do not go after the victim!
Use a floatation device. If possible throw the victim something to help them float, such as a spare tire, large ball, or
foam ice chest.
Call 911. Call for assistance and give the correct location information.

AFTER A FLOOD
Wait until it is safe to return.
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or local television and radio stations.
Do not return to flooded areas until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
Do not visit disaster areas following a flood. Your presence may hamper urgent emergency response and rescue
operations.
Travel with care.
Follow recommended routes. DO NOT sightsee.
Watch for washed out roads, earth slides, and downed trees or power lines.
Stay away from downed power lines.
If a building was flooded, check for safety before entering.
Do not enter a building if it is still flooded or surrounded by floodwater.
Check for structural damage. Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.
Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter tank.
Do not enter a building that has flooded until local building officials have inspected it for safety.
Use extreme caution when entering buildings.
Wear sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster is cut feet.
Use ONLY battery-powered lighting. Flammable material may be present.
Look for fire hazards (such as damaged gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces).
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the
building. If possible turn off the gas at the outside main valve. Call the gas company.
Report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.
Check for electrical system damage (sparks, broken or frayed wires, or the smell of burning insulation). Turn off the
electricity at the main circuit breaker if you can reach it without stepping in water.
Examine walls, floors, doors, windows, and ceilings for risk of collapsing.
Watch out for animals that might have entered with the floodwaters.
Let the building air out to remove foul odors or escaping gas.
Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
Get professional help.
Seek necessary medical care. Do not neglect minor wounds or illnesses.
Food, clothing, shelter, and first aid are available from the American Red Cross.
If the gas has been turned off for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Have an electrician check the electrical system and appliances.
Wells should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking.
Your home is no longer a safe place.
 Throw away medicine, food, or water that had contact with floodwaters (including canned goods).
If water is of questionable purity, boil drinking water for 10 minutes.
Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.
Keep windows and doors open for ventilation.
Pump out flooded basements gradually (removing about 1/3 of the water volume each day) to avoid structural
damage.
Keep the power off until an electrician has inspected the system for safety. All electrical equipment should be
checked and dried before being returned to service.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
Service damaged sewage systems as soon as possible.
When making repairs, protect your property from future flood damage.
Follow local building codes.
Use flood-resistant materials and techniques.
Elevate electrical components above the potential flood height.
Elevate utilities (washer, dryer, furnace, and water heater) above the level of anticipated flooding.
Consider elevation of the entire structure.
Install a backflow valve in the sewer system.

It is a series of vibrations induced in the earth's crust by the abrupt rupture and
rebound of rocks in which elastic strain has been slowly accumulating.

During an earthquake:
First and foremost, stay calm. Do not panic.

For todays generation, move to a safe location first tweet about it later.

If youre indoors, then either stay there and move to a safe location such as under a strong desk,

a strong table or under a door beam. The idea is to protect yourselves

from falling objects. Avoiding standing near windows, large mirrors, hanging objects, heavy

furniture, etc.

If youre in a high-rise building, take the stairs down. Do not take the lift. If youre in a lift already,

then get out on the next floor.

 If youre cooking, then turn off the stove and take cover. Do not use candles, matches or other

open flames. Put out all fires.

If youre outdoors, then move to an open area away from tall buildings, power lines and trees.

Once in the open, stay there till the vibrations stops.

Free all pets and domestic animals so that they can run outside.

If youre driving, slow down and stop on the side of the road. If youre on a bridge or flyover, then

cross over and stop on the road. Avoid stopping under bridges and flyovers as well, or under

power lines, trees and large signs.

Its natural to be concerned about your loved ones, but try not to use the phone lines to call much

because they may get jammed, hindering important communication. SMS instead.

After an earthquake:
Keep stock of drinking water, food items and first-aid equipment in an accessible place.

Turn on your television/radio to get the latest information/bulletins and aftershock warnings.

Check your smart phone alerts as well.

Help others.

Attend to those injured and give them aid, also inform a hospital.

Be prepared for possible aftershocks.

Close the valve of kitchen gas stove, if it is on. If it is closed, do not open. Do not use open

flames.

Do not operate electric switches or appliances, if gas leaks are suspected.

Check water pipes, electric lines and fittings. If damaged, shut off the main valves. Do not touch

live electrical wires.

If needed, open doors and cup boards carefully as objects may fall.
 It is a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is
ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame. The destructive
burning of a building, town, forest, etc.; conflagration.

BEFORE THE FIRE

Ok, ok, so what about a fire you ask... what happens? What do you do? Here is what happens from the
moment an alarm sounds. Oops. Before the alarm sounds someone must dial 911.

Once an emergency phone call is received, the communicators will dispatch the call by setting off tones in
the station, on our radios, and on our pagers. Prior to getting on the truck we put on our turnout gear.

While responding to the call we don our SCBA in the truck, which are conveniently mounted behind each
seat. We also may receive further information about the call from the 911 communications center if they
have it available.

DURING THE FIRE

If the call that was dispatched was similar to the one pictured here. The first thing we would do is give a
size-up over the radio so that communications and all other incoming units would know what type of
situation was at hand. A size-up for a situation like this might sound as follows: "We have a single-story
wood frame structure with smoke and flames visible from the left side of the building."
The first priority in a residential structure fire such as this is rescue, so that would be our first thought
coming off the apparatus. Some of the equipment we would put to immediate use would be an 1-and-3/4-
inch handline, forcible entry tools, thermal imaging camera, handlights, ladders, and rope. If the building
was larger we might also employ our ladder truck, truck one, to effect any rescues from upper stories or
from windows.
Let's assume that with our example here there is no one inside in need of rescue. Four different
operations would need to be put into place immediately by four different crews in order to begin
containing this fire. First, one crew would need to advance the handline into the structure in order to get
water on the fire. Two, a second crew would need to establish a water supply, third, a crew would need to
go to the roof in order to ventilate the fire, and finally, a fourth group would be assigned as the RIT (Rapid
Intervention Team) crew.
INTERIOR ATTACK CREW
The interior attack crew would advance an 1-and-3/4-inch Firequip 800 hose. There would be about 100
psi at an automatic nozzle that would deliver about 125 gallons of water per minute onto the fire assuming
a 200-foot length of hose. Given a fire of the size shown here they would most likely encounter conditions
that are totally black due to the smoke and temperatures in excess of the 1,000-degree mark.
WATER SUPPLY CREW
The second crew would locate the nearest fire hydrant and attach large diameter hose to it and to the
pumper located at the fire. In our department we use 5-inch rubber hose manufactured by Angus for
hydrant connections. Just a quick note here to clear up a common misconception. Unless it were a very
unusual situation, fire hose that a crew is using to attack a fire is never attached directly to a hydrant.
Normal procedure is to attach the hose from the hydrant to the fire truck, which then may control the
water pressure to the hose that the attack crew is using to extinguish the fire. The truck we most often
use as the attack pumper is controlling the pressure to the handlines is Engine 1.
FIRE VENTILATION CREW
The third crew would be responsible for roof ventilation. This is done for a number of reasons. First, it
allows the hot gases and smoke inside to escape, which cools the interior for the attack crew. It also
improves visibility for them. Furthermore, it can also slow the spread of the fire by drawing the hot gases
and flames up and out rather than further into the structure itself. Roof ventilation is completed by cutting
a hole in the roof above the fire with a chain saw and then using a pick head axe and/or pike pole to
punch down and through the ceiling of the structure in order to provide a path for the heat and smoke to
escape. This would be done at the same time that the interior attack crew is putting water on the fire
inside the structure. It calls for careful coordination between the two crews.
RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM
The fourth crew is there for safety. RIT is a way to have at least two firefighters ready to quickly respond
should an emergency situation arise, primarily in the form of a trapped or injured firefighter or civilian. This
is a relatively new concept in the fire service, but in our opinion it is a good one. Anything we can do to
make the job safer is better.

AFTER THE FIRE

Once the fire has been put under control. Overhaul operations would commence. This involves making
sure the fire is completely out and that the situation is mitigated completely. This is also the point at which
the investigation into the cause of the fire becomes more intense and focused. Overhaul is a long, tiring
and dirty part of being a firefighter. It is at this point that much of the excitement has died down and
everyone must get down to the nitty gritty part of putting out a fire for good. It is not always fun work, but it
is rewarding.
Experiencing a fire yourself can be a devastating thing. I would urge you to take a look at the information
we have available to help you should you ever have a fire. Having awareness of this information before
an incident strikes could be of great assistance and some comfort to you and your family. Knowing what
to do and preparing ahead of time can ease the stress and strain that naturally results when you face a
loss due to fire.

It is the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for

political purposes. It is the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or
terrorization.
BEFORE AN ATTACK

Some actions can be taken prior to a terrorist incident to prepare you and your family. This may include

informing yourself about the risks that might impact your community and planning for how you may

respond.

DURING AN ATTACK

If a terrorist attack occurs, it is important that you remain calm and follow instructions from local security

officials and emergency service personnel.

You should be aware of your surroundings and watch for additional attacks which is usually referred to as

coordinated.

Listen to local TV and radio for directions and travel information and instructions from local officials. If you

are in a position where the attack occurs near you, check for injuries and provide firstaid if is safe to do

so.

AFTER AN ATTACK

After a terrorist attack, expect heavy law enforcement involvement at the local, regional and national

levels. These agencies which may include counter terrorism units and experts will be at hand to

investigate the incident and the location will be treated as a crime scene.
Your workplace, factory, stadium, beach or school may be closed, and there may be restrictions on

domestic and international travel. You and your family may have to evacuate the area, as instructed by

local law enforcement officials.

Further, expect extensive media coverage from local and international media networks and increased law

enforcement presence, even if the attack did not occur in your community.

Give information to security officials on the movements of suspicious people in your area trying to bolt

away in haste.

Be alert! Stay safe!

To execute (a criminal) by electricity.

To kill by electric shock

"The Appointment in Samarra"

(as retold by W. Somerset Maugham [1933])

The speaker is Death

There was a merchant in Bagdad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions
and in a little while the servant came back, white and trembling, and said, Master,
just now when I was in the marketplace I was jostled by a woman in the crowd and
when I turned I saw it was Death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a
threatening gesture, now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city
and avoid my fate. I will go to Samarra and there Death will not find me. The
merchant lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it, and he dug his spurs in its
flanks and as fast as the horse could gallop he went. Then the merchant went down
to the marketplace and he saw me standing in the crowd and he came to me and
said, Why did you make a threating getsture to my servant when you saw him this
morning? That was not a threatening gesture, I said, it was only a start of surprise.
I was astonished to see him in Bagdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight
in Samarra.

Important Things
Barbara L. Greenberg

For years the children whimpered and tugged. Tell us, tell us.
You promised to tell the children some other time, later, when they were old enough.
Now the children stand eye to eye with you and show you their teeth. Tell us.
"Tell you what? you ask, ingenuous.
"Tell us The Important Things.
You tell the children there are six continents and five oceans, or vice versa.
You tell your children the little you know about sex. Your children tell you there are better words for what you
choose to call The Married Embrace.
You tell your children to be true to themselves. They say they are true to themselves. You tell them they are lying,
you always know when they are lying. They tell you youre crazy. You tell them to mind their manners. They think
you mean it as a joke, they laugh.
There are tears in your eyes. You tell the children the dawn will follow the dark, the tide will come in. the grass will
be renewed, every dog will have its day. You tell them the story of The Littlest Soldier whose right arm, which he
sacrificed while fighting for a noble cause, grew back again.
You say that if there were no Evil we wouldnt have the satisfaction of choosing The Good. And if there were no
pain, you say, wed never know our greatest joy, relief from pain.
You offer to bake a cake for the children, a fudge cake with chocolate frosting, their favorite. "Tell us, say the
children.
You say to your children, I am going to die.
"When?
"Someday.
"Oh.
You tell your children that they, too, are going to die. They already knew it.
You cant think of anything else to tell the children. You say youre sorry. You are sorry. But the children have had
enough of your excuses.
"A promise is a promise, say the children.
Theyll give you one more chance to tell them of your own accord. If you dont, theyll have to resort to torture.