Many may not realize that Kentucky is in a region with multiple seismic stress points referred to as "geologic faults" or "seismic zones." The New Madrid Seismic Zone is the largest and most famous in this region. It was the site of the largest earthquakes in US history in the winter of 1811-1812. Over the last one hundred years, New Madrid has given birth to thousands of minor tremors that were too light to feel and a few small earthquakes which only rattled dishes or cracked a few foundations in areas close to the "epicenter" or location of the quake. Seismologists feel that we are overdue for an earthquake which would devastate a good portion of the western half of Kentucky and our neighbor states within the seismic zone. Unlike weather forecasting, earthquake detection is not an exact science and we will likely have little or no notice of a coming major earthquake.

Earthquakes present special problems in response and recovery. This is particularly true in the first days or weeks. In some areas of Kentucky, there is a ratio of 1 emergency response person to every 150 citizens. In a major earthquake, the numbers of people and locations in need of assistance could easily overwhelm our response system. Cities, of course, are most at risk from this danger as the larger populations and larger buildings increase the odds of this to alarming figures.

Rural areas cannot be overlooked either. In these areas, particularly during daytime hours, fire, EMS and police coverage are at minimum levels, as local volunteers work in nearby cities and towns. These rural volunteer responders may find it impossible to return home for extended periods. Likewise, any family may be caught in the same situation and if phone systems are down, lack of communications to verify the well-being of family members may be of almost a debilitating concern.

A major earthquake would have a terrible effect on the infrastructure that we depend upon daily! Power, telephone, internet, and cellular communications may be lost for days to weeks in some areas. Natural gas lines crisscross Kentucky in underground networks running in all directions. Should any of these lines rupture during a quake, the explosion risk will be only one of the resulting problems. If this occurred during the worst of winter, broken heating fuel supply lines would leave the eastern seaboard in the cold.

Buildings would not be the only victims of structural damage. Bridges, overpasses and dams might suffer damage to the extent of being either unsafe for use or total collapse. Helicopters could be the only way to render aid in some areas. Few man made structures of any kind within our state were built with earthquake survivability in mind. Conditions similar to those from last year's hurricanes could become a reality in our own communities! Individuals and families may have to stand on their own for days or weeks. Even MONTHS! If power is off and roads are disrupted; having food, water and other supplies stored away may be their only source of such items for an extended period of time. Getting serious about emergency planning at the home and business level is our only real defense.

All families should have a good Family Disaster Plan. Some questions you might explore in making a plan are: What are the disaster plans at your workplace. What do they expect of you if you are at work during a disaster? What if you are away from work when one occurs? If you have children in school, you may want to review the school system's disaster plans. Are they going to hold the children at school, try to send them home or what? Next, talk with family members about what will likely happen in these situations. Make sure everyone understands what they can expect in all situations. Plan with family members the action steps to take in case a fire occurs in the home. Also don't forget severe storm and earthquake safety measures regarding where to go and what to do for each. Make sure all responsible family members know how to shut off the water, gas, electricity etc. and know how to use a fire extinguisher. Consider having these family members take first aid and CPR courses if they have not already done so. Plan for the care of your pets and identify neighbors who may need assistance in a disaster.

Discuss how you can make contact with one another if phones, e-mail and pagers are not functioning. Designate two family members who live at great distances from you who know they are to serve as information points in case long distance service will work. Be sure children know how to make these long distance calls without money. If you have other amateurs in the family discuss simplex frequencies you could use if your repeater was off the air. 146.52 or working on your repeater's output frequency may be a good choice in some cases. Make it a habit to review your plans regularly with all family members.

Plan and build a family disaster supplies kit using no less than a 72-hour period. Longer periods would be better! Assemble: one gallon of water per day for each family member. Remember to rotate this every 3-6 months so you always have a fresh supply. Store non-perishable food items which require minimal or no cooking, eating and drinking utensils and manual bottle and can openers. Also keep either a supply of water purification tablets, 2% tincture of iodine or household bleach on hand for additional water purification needs.

Heating sources such as "Canned Heat", camp stoves etc. will make nice additions to your disaster kit. You do need to be mindful of the explosion and carbon monoxide risks they pose. In disaster conditions, observe extra caution in their use. Getting information in a disaster is critical! Adding battery or crank operated radios and/or TV's can keep you informed. Without AC power, darkness is another problem. Be sure to add some chemical light sticks and flashlights with plenty of extra batteries for all battery operated devices. Plan for optional ways to charge amateur radio equipment batteries as well. Several manufacturers now sell universal chargers that work well for most batteries and even have DC cords for automobile use. Work gloves, shovels, wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers can be helpful items. Extra clothes and bedding, sturdy work shoes, rain gear and sleeping bags can make disaster extremes a little more pleasant.

Some may scoff, but rolls of plastic sheeting and duct tape can help with temporary repairs or even serve as an expedient tent should your home be made unlivable. Small items such as towels, washcloths, sewing kits, shaving kits and writing materials may sound like small concerns now, but could be important in a disaster environment. Don't forget extra supplies of medications (see your pharmacist and doctor) and over the counter first aid supplies. Some extra cash and your important papers need to be stored in a safe location. Photographs in a safe deposit box can be very important in settling damage claims with either insurance or disaster assistance workers. While we are on insurance, be advised earthquake and floods are not covered under normal homeowner policies! Talk with your agent about this.

Injuries and deaths in earthquakes most often are caused when people are hit by objects which break free or collapse. Inside the home, bookcases can be mounted to walls with lag bolts to keep them upright. Water heaters can be fastened to the wall with plumbers tape to prevent their overturning. TV's, computers and other devices can be secured to tables with "Velcro" and poster putty, which can be removed later with a minimum of mess. Ceiling hooks can have tape crossed over them to help their cargos stay put. Breakables can be kept in place with either a shelf edging or even rubber cement.

Rigid supply lines on stoves and other appliances can be replaced with reinforced flexible lines that will move more freely without severing. The easiest way to handle the problem of heavy items over beds is to simply move them to other locations and reinforce them with some poster putty to their reverse side. Small hooks can keep cabinet and closet doors closed and their contents contained. Roofs can be reinforced with plywood and 2 x 4 timbers in the attic to prevent collapse from chimney failure or other flying objects. There you have it. With a few dollars and a little work, you have just reduced your chances of injury should an earthquake occur!

Do not run outside when an earthquake begins! You are far safer staying inside as many are killed or injured by falling masonry and other debris. Drop, Cover and Hold. Get under sturdy furniture like a desk or table if possible, tuck your head and place your hands over your neck and head. If that is not possible, brace yourself in a doorway being mindful of any door that may swing closed or position yourself against an interior wall and cover you head and neck with your hands. Wait until the shaking stops before moving.

Remember that many aftershocks will likely follow in the hours and days after an earthquake. Some may be small tremors while others may be as strong or even stronger than the initial quake. If you are outside during the quake, try to move into an open area away from buildings trees and utility lines. Drop, Cover and Hold until the quake subsides. In a vehicle, pull off the roadway and remain in the automobile until things settle down. Watch for downed utility lines and damaged roadways, overpasses and bridges in your path.

After the quake you will want to check for injuries and property damage around you. Take the time to check on neighbors and be prepared to serve as their "first responder" should there be a problem. Keep an eye out for gas leaks and water line breaks. If phones are working, use the phone ONLY if you have an emergency requiring immediate attention. Otherwise stay off the lines as overloading can shut down any phone system that may still be working. Do not be surprised if the system is already down. As many cell phone sites depend on AC power, they are also likely to be off for extended periods or towers may collapse in the quake. The best bet is to use your self powered radio or portable TV to get general information on the incident.

If you have your amateur gear available and functioning, check in on the local designated emergency frequency and remember to check_________ and ________MHz. for the Ky Emergency Net if you have HF capability. If the net has not been opened, go ahead and open the net if possible and you feel that the situation warrants. You can always close the net or hand net control off to someone else later. Do not be afraid to open an emergency net if you see that it is needed.

Too many times amateurs will sit and listen or a group will congregate on an emergency net frequency and wonder aloud, "Where's so and so and why isn't the net open?" Good question!!! You're here, OPEN IT. DO NOT WAIT ON SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU!!! I often hear hams say, "Gee, there must have been six or seven of us here on frequency and the net control did not show up so we went on and did something else". Why any one of them did not take charge of the situation and open the net I have no clue. Granted sometimes you may not be in a position to take charge of a net. BUT, out of several stations sitting on a frequency, surely one could have done something even on a temporary basis.

Remember; Preparing for one type of disaster, is preparing for all types of disaster. Your family disaster plan and emergency supplies kit will be useful in any emergency! Reflect back on the problems and damage you saw last fall on TV during the hurricanes. Hurricanes are not possible in Kentucky! However, many other disasters, which are possible, can equal that amount of destruction.

Many times over the years, I have pointed out that as amateurs, we have a unique skill and the equipment to provide assistance if we will just use it in any disaster. Preparing ahead of time will enable us to care for our families AND to assist the communities we live in. Now is the time for this to becoming more of an issue in disaster response, all amateurs should be ready to take the initiative and learn the principles involved.

Family Disaster Plan

                muzzle and leash