Disaster response doesn’t stop or even slow down during the winter. Instead, it simply changes and presents new challenges. Heat and droughts are replaced with cold and snow. The cold weather makes it just as important for your team to stay prepared to handle any seasonal emergencies that affect your community. From keeping a water bladder tank on hand to focusing on warmth, here are four tips you can keep in mind this winter.
Water Is Just as Important During the Winter
During summer emergencies—whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane, or another disaster—water is always at the top of your team’s priority list. However, in the winter, water might not be the first resource that comes to mind because of how wet the season can already be with plenty of snow and rain. Even so, providing water is just as essential during winter emergencies.
Blizzards, rainstorms, and sub-zero temperatures can all affect a community’s access to water in a variety of ways. As a disaster response team, you need a water storage bladder that you can use to provide drinking water to everyone affected. Just ensure it doesn’t sit for too long, or it could freeze. You could even try laying a heated blanket beneath it to make sure the water inside doesn’t freeze. Otherwise, keep the bladder moving, and be sure it’s large enough to meet everyone’s needs.
A Little Warmth Can Make All the Difference
No matter what type of emergency your team is responding to, providing warmth should be a cornerstone of your plan. Temperatures can drop fast with short daylight hours, and snow is always a possibility. That’s why you should prepare to provide warming solutions to anyone affected.
Keep plenty of blankets on hand and even some extra coats. Hand warmers and mini space heaters can help keep everyone nice and cozy during times of distress. Another helpful solution is warm food. Try using water from your storage tank to make fresh soup on camping stoves and hand it out to anyone who would like a warm meal.
Don’t Forget to Keep Your Team Protected Too
In the winter especially, it is crucial to understand that your team can be just as affected as the community you provide aid to. They are out in the cold and wet weather, giving all they can to help their community. You want to make sure they are supported too.
This could mean providing plenty of hot chocolate or coffee with water supplied from your portable water bladder. Or you might supply detailed safety measures that your organization needs to take to keep everyone safe. Make sure your team has access to all the gear they need to stay safe and do their job well out in the elements. Ultimately, you couldn’t provide any disaster relief without the help of your team. If you support them and use the right tools, you’ll be able to accomplish anything.
Keep Melting Snow in Mind
Just like snow can start falling in the blink of an eye, it can suddenly start melting too. It’s important to keep this top of mind. There can be frozen ice one day that turns into flowing water the next. Make sure you have spill containment solutions ready so none of your machinery is leaking into this snow melt and running off into the environment. Additionally, keep erosion protection gear on hand so that any sudden flowing water won’t erode spots that could be a danger to people or your efforts.
About AIRE Environmental
Whether you’re the head of an emergency relief organization or the foreman of a construction site, AIRE Environmental—formerly known as AIRE Industrial—has what you need. Their top-of-the-line spill containment berms, portable water bladders, and environmental protection solutions can help your project, event, or job site run smoothly and efficiently. AIRE Environmental designs and manufactures their products in the USA to ensure the highest quality products for your work site. Leaks, spills, erosion, and liquid waste don’t stand a chance with AIRE Environmental on your side. Don’t see a product that meets your needs? You can work with AIRE Environmental’s team of designers and engineers to build a custom solution at their headquarters in Meridian, Idaho. It’s the best way to stay prepared for any obstacle you might face.
Find the gear your disaster response team needs this winter at https://www.aireenvironmental.com/
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