Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Just Like City-Folk

A recent medical tragedy has brought renewed focus on the safety needs for people living off the grid. A recent article in the Powell River Peak (Cabin numbering improves medical response) highlighted that all float and land cabins on local lakes are getting "street" numbers, just like city-folk.

The Cabin Owners Association has worked with local authorities over the years to develop numbering plans, but the regional emergency system has no knowledge of local conventions. When Troy Marshall called 911 about his brother's heart attack, first responders didn't even know where Powell Lake was, let alone a remote float cabin. Thanks to Troy's efforts, we now now both GPS locations and "street" numbers. In our case, 10767 Powell Lake. Now if we call 911 with an emergency, first responders will know where we are located. Getting there is a whole different story.

Living off the grid, you are responsible for your own safety and first response. Wayne and I did took some extra safety measures after the emergency preparedness presentation at Cabin Owners Association AGM. We developed a emergency folder with important information, purchased a larger fire extinguisher, updated our first aid supplies, purchased a strobe light to signal passing boats, and reviewed our cell phone and marine radio procedures.

Whether you live in a city, in the country, or off the grid, are you prepared for an emergency? Check out the Get Prepared website for more information. -- Margy

7 comments:

  1. That sounds like a pretty good system Margy. Alot of people are pretty un prepared for different occasions. I just might be one of the culprets. I could sure do alot better, anyway.

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  2. When we moved into this house to rent, the owners left behind a large fire extinguisher for us to use and to refresh the batteries in the smoke alarm downstairs. The ones in the house upstairs are wired into the electricity.

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  3. Saw the write-up in the Peak. Great idea, long overdue.

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  4. Best to b prepared and then hope you won't have an emergency. I live on the outskirts of a small town in the Rocky Mts of CO. I sometimes feel off the grid.

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  5. Excellent advice, 10767. I'm going to talk to my husband about our preparedness. We're only 10 minutes from the Medicine Hat hospital, and only two minutes from our local volunteer fire department, but of the three smoke alarms in our house, only one works, and the exit door closest to the bedroom is blocked by Lindy's kennel.
    K

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  6. Thanks everyone for stopping by to comment. Hope this post helped you think a bit about preparedness. Now if only I was better about it in town. - Margy

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  7. have a good meal,very nice sharing.Stay well.

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We welcome your comments and questions. - Wayne and Margy