BSA Troop 222 hosts timely disaster preparedness event
On Sunday, January 12, BSA Troop 222 held a Disaster Preparedness event that took on new urgency in light of the recent fires in Southern California. Nearly 60 scouts and their families gathered to learn practical skills and actionable steps to prepare for emergencies, including earthquakes, fires, and floods.
The Menlo Park Fire Department played an integral role in the event, leading scouts and their families through hands-on training in basic CPR and fire safety fundamentals. Using CPR manikins equipped with feedback devices, participants learned how to perform life-saving techniques to assist a victim until professional help arrives. Attendees also practiced using fire extinguishers and learned the PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) to safely extinguish small fires.
Local Scout parent and Menlo Park-trained CERT volunteer Erika Bailey expanded on the training by sharing tips on assembling modular, make-at-home emergency kits. She highlighted FEMA’s recommendation to have supplies for at least 72 hours and, ideally, up to two weeks. Bailey also provided three simple steps to enhance personal and community readiness:
- Sign up for alerts: Visit https://www.smcgov.org/dem/smc-alert to opt in for emergency alerts on your devices.
- Set up a family emergency chat: Create a family text thread specifically for emergencies, including out-of-area contacts to stay connected.
- Build community connections: Know your neighbors, school friends, and community members to support and check on one another during crises.
This timely event emphasized the importance of preparedness and community resilience. Scouts and families left with vital skills and the confidence to take proactive steps toward disaster readiness—an essential toolkit for navigating future emergencies.
For more information on Menlo Park Fire Departments disaster preparedness classes visit https://www.menlofirecert.com.
