Scout Chief » Disaster Preparedeness

Boy Scout Pulls Family From Fire

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:29:05 +0000

OREM — When the smoke detectors went off in his home Saturday afternoon, Garrek Lott did exactly what he’d been taught.

“I grabbed my baby sister,” the 12-year-old Boy Scout said. “Then I told everyone to get out.”

By then, a few neighbors had arrived after hearing the screeching detectors.

Garrek told one of them to call 911 — this was a real fire, he told them.

He could smell the smoke, but he still wasn’t sure where it was.

After making sure his sisters were safe outside, Garrek headed back into the house and shut off the breaker boxes, this time telling the adults they needed to get out and wait for fire crews.

Minutes later when parents Tim and Jalene Lott returned from their quick trip to the storage unit, the fire in the basement had reached a shelf of paints — and its flash point.

The flames exploded out the back windows, scorching the rear of the house and eating the support beams for the upper living room floor.

Jalene Lott said her first thought was of her nearly 2-year-old baby girl, sleeping in her crib.

But Garrek had already grabbed her, and she was waiting outside in the arms of her other siblings.

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“When it comes to taking care of his sisters, he’s pretty protective,” Jalene Lott said of Garrek. “He’s just a good boy.”

Garrek, the second oldest and only boy in a family of five sisters, doesn’t see himself as a hero.

He’s just a sixth-grader who wants to move onto junior high, loves to play basketball and treasures a BYU football signed by the team.

He rescued it from his room Monday, and although his sisters said it smelled like smoke, he was just glad to still have it.

Although house fires are always damaging, this one had “the worst timing,” Jalene Lott said.

On Friday, the family had finished a 2 ½-month remodeling project that was ready for the inspector Monday morning.

And the new basement is exactly where the fire started.

Fire officials believe it was an electrical fire caused by an old freezer and a fridge that were both plugged into an inadequate extension cord, which overheated, said Orem Police Lt. Doug Edwards.

Now, the new basement is soggy and sooty, the living room floor is sagging due to missing support beams and the entire house smells like an overactive campfire.

Edwards said the damage estimate is around $200,000, but he praised Garrek for his quick and cool thinking that kept everyone safe.

Although it will be six months and a house full of new wall board before the family can move back in, Jalene Lott is still optimistic.

“It could have been a lot worse,” she said, looking at the melted siding on the back of her house. “I’m just grateful that no one was hurt. The outpouring of love and support has just been overwhelming.”

Neighbors, friends, family members and Tim Lott’s company have all stepped up to offer support, food and places to stay, Jalene Lott said.

The family wants to rent a place near their home in the area of 920 North and 600 West, so the kids can stay in school.

Although Garrek misses his house, the fire has taught him more about himself and the importance of his scouting lessons.

“I was a lot calmer than I thought I’d be,” the First-Class-almost-a-Star Scout said. “Let’s hope I get the fireman’s merit badge.”

E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705282230,00.html

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Boy Scout Disaster Preparedness Kit

admin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:08:03 +0000

There are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy to carry container–suggested items are marked with an asterisk(*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

Water

Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more. Store one gallon of water per person per day. Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

Food

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
Canned juices
Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
High energy foods
Vitamins
Food for infants
Comfort/stress foods

First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

(20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
5” x 9″ sterile dressing.
conforming roller gauze bandage.
triangular bandages.
3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
roll 3″ cohesive bandage.
germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
(6) antiseptic wipes.
pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
Adhesive tape, 2″ width.
Anti-bacterial ointment.
Cold pack.
Scissors (small, personal).
Tweezers.
CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.
Non-Prescription Drugs
Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Laxative
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies

Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
Emergency preparedness manual*
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
Flashlight and extra batteries*
Cash or traveler’s checks, change*
Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
Tube tent
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
Whistle
Plastic sheeting
Map of the area (for locating shelters)
Sanitation Toilet paper, towelettes*
Soap, liquid detergent*
Feminine supplies*
Personal hygiene items*
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
Clothing and Bedding
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
Sturdy shoes or work boots*
Rain gear*
Blankets or sleeping bags*
Hat and gloves
Thermal underwear
Sunglasses
Special Items

Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons

Baby Stuff

Formula
Diapers
Bottles
Powdered milk
Medications

Adult Stuff

Heart and high blood pressure medication
Insulin
Prescription drugs
Denture needs
Contact lenses and supplies
Extra eye glasses
Entertainment Games and books
Important Family Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
Passports, social security cards, immunization records
Bank account numbers
Credit card account numbers and companies
Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car. Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

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