Event pushes disaster preparedness

Thinking you are immune from a disaster and its consequences won't help when one happens, Carson City Fire Chief Stacey Giomi said Saturday.“People tend to think something bad can't happen to them,” he said, taking a brief break from chores at a Carson City disaster preparedness awareness event called “Get Ready!” The event was at the entry to the Home Depot on Carson City's north side. Giomi said disasters do occur and being prepared can save lives, combat grief, as well as work to the advantage of individuals and the community. Planning for any eventuality is a plus, according to Giomi and others on hand to field questions from the public.The event included the city fire department, Carson City Health and Human Services and Carson City Emergency Management. Volunteers or members of the Medical Rescue Corps and the Community Emergency Response Team also were on hand.Joel Allen of Carson City, a volunteer for the Medical Rescue Corps, cited U.S. Geological Survey estimates showing Carson City could face an earthquake. Survey data released in 2006 suggests a 6.5 magnitude quake has a probability of 70 percent in the area at some point. Other disaster possibilities, Allen said, include fire, flood or an epidemic.He said most of the folks coming in to shop at Home Depot were stopping at the event tables before or after their trek into the store.He said several interested people might stop, then there would be a lull until a new wave came by to ask questions and pick up written information or items for an emergency kit. Each person could take along a bag filled with the information and small items designed to help out in emergency situations, such as first aid or hand-held lighting devices.Stu Miller of Carson City, a lifelong policeman until his retirement, came through after shopping and chatted with Allen before receiving his bag to take home.“I think it's a good idea,” he said when asked about raising awareness regarding preparedness via such an event.As a former law enforcement officer, he already knows the drill. But he still listened attentively. “It's always good to have a refresher,” Miller said. The event ran from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the store, which is located at 3185 Market St. just east of the northside WalMart. It comes during National Preparedness Month. Before the event, Giomi cited reasons for national and local efforts to spread the word about preparedness.“The majority of the time, emergency responders can do just that: respond,” he said. “But when a community-wide disaster rips through Carson City and emergency responders go from doing their normal jobs to operating in a severe emergency situation,” he added, “everyone needs to be prepared.”