Letters January 27, 2010

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

By JH Weekly User

If disaster struck home
In light of the recent tragedy in Haiti, we should keep in mind that our very own Teton fault is capable of producing a quake in the range of a 7.0 to a 7.5, and could cause substantial damage, loss of life, and interruption of utility service here in our valley.  One important lesson from the Haiti quake is how in the first 72 hours we didn’t see many emergency responders helping people, but instead saw neighbors helping neighbors. This is very similar to what would occur here in Teton County during a large quake. Although we are a much more affluent community, we have limited resources and are isolated from larger metropolitan emergency response teams. Also remember that our own emergency responders are not immune from the effects of a large quake; they will need to care for their families or may not be able to reach the valley due to damaged roads, hence reducing our already limited resources.

The take-home lesson is that you are responsible for your own and your family’s wellbeing during a disaster.  Many people joke about the inefficiencies of government, or FEMA’s response to Katrina, but there is a grain of truth in these statements. Inevitably, the bureaucracy of large organizations slows aid and response. At the local level, we are fortunate to have such dedicated and highly trained first responders, but even they can only help so many people.

There are four steps that you can take to ensure that you are the one providing help, instead of requiring help, following a disaster. First is that you should have enough food, water, and other supplies for your family to last 72 hours.  Second, have a family disaster plan that outlines methods of communication, how you’ll receive emergency information from local government, and meeting places following a disaster.  Third, learn about the different disasters that can affect Teton County and how you should react to them. And finally, get involved by taking a first aid/CPR class, volunteer for the Red Cross, or become a Teton County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member.  Visit www.tetonwyo.org/em to learn more about these four steps.

The “big one” may not happen in our lifetime, but that is not a bet I’m willing to make.  Let’s learn a lesson from the tragic events in Haiti and begin preparing now.
– Rich Ochs, Teton County Emergency Management


To the Editor:
Kevin Huelsmann [“2 in mayoral race now,” Jackson Hole News&Guide, Jan. 20] writes that our great Mayor Barron has a challenger who wants commercial growth (and the consequent deeper housing crisis).

I’m looking for candidates who would bring the Town more revenue by enforcing the Municipal Code’s chapter 9.44 against “excessive noise” – for example, motorcycles and unmuffled jack-rabbits (pick-up trucks without mufflers which do jack-rabbit starts).
 –  Bob Morris, Teton Village

Clarifications
- JH Weekly did not properly identify the author of an opinion (“No new DUI rules,” Jan. 20). Shane Scheid is a member of Wyoming Liberty Group.

- In a report on a local effort to support arts organizations devastated by the earthquake in Haiti (Local Aid to Haiti,” Jan. 20), JH Weekly failed to recognize the initiative’s originator. Tammy Christel began the local dialogue with community organizers.

PERMALINK:
Letters January 27, 2010 | Planet JH News Article: Letters To Editor

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