CERT Meeting, March 2026, Tabletop Exercise Result

 

Suppose a magnitude 8.1 earthquake hits the Oregon coast causing power to go out due to downed transmission lines, some bridges to be out of service, landslides that make roads impassible, and cell towers that only have short days on a generator. Most businesses can't operate due to the power outage and driving away from the area is impossible. This happens in March!

Your job was to come up with answers to the following. That is:

• Table 1 - what food supplies did you store, includes food and water, to prepare for such an emergency? Please consider pets as well as humans!
• Table 2 - how did you prepare to stay warm, dry and cook food?
• Table 3 - after this disaster happens, how will you organize your day, roles and responsibilities of your extended community as you join up with neighbors to share supplies and solve problems?
• Table 4 - how will you explore the immediate neighborhood, what equipment, what goal, how do you help folks injured or in distress?
• Google Meet - breakout room - how will you communicate with the outside world or attempt to communicate? Imagine a situation where you want to let people who care about you know you are OK and tell them, and others, what's going on here.

All tables came up with GREAT ideas including (See Google Meet Notes for more detail):

• Table 1 focused on food and water supply, emphasizing the need for stockpiling canned foods, dehydrated goods, flour, and sugar, with some planning for up to three months of freeze-dried food. The group discussed cooking options, including propane or Coleman stoves, camping supplies, barbecues, and fire pits, requiring planning for extra matches and propane.
• Table 2 focused was on staying warm, dry, and cooking, with suggestions including propane heaters, sleeping bags, extra blankets, and generators with extra gas. The group also mentioned having tents and alternate shelter plans, like using a greenhouse with a wood stove.
• Table 3 developed a plan for organizing the response, beginning with checking on the physical and mental health of the immediate family and then assigning tasks. Key task areas included sanitation (checking septic and water systems), communication (assessing cell signals, using AM/FM radio, and two-way radios on agreed-upon channels), and food/water management.
• Table 4 focused on search and rescue (SAR), beginning with the principle of "shelter in place" and ensuring immediate family safety before self-deploying. Deploying individuals must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and carry their search backpacks. The plan included establishing a local central command, using the buddy system, and checking for 'help/okay' signs and signs of habitation in vacation rentals. SAR teams would avoid tsunami inundation zones and assist casualties with first aid and psychological first aid, in addition to putting out small fires.

Well done all!!!