For many, our cell phones are much more than phones… These days, the little devices we carry with us are a mini computer, camera, calculator, video camera, alarm clock, day planner, and much more all rolled into one.. They have become lifelines to connect with those close to us. Who would have thought back when they were introduced, and started to become popular, technology would be where it is today? I still remember when I got my first bag phone, back in the early 90’s… anyone remember those?

With all the uses these little devices already have in our daily lives, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to add one more… How to make your cell phone your No. 1 safety tool!

I have a back up battery pack on my phone… I carry a back up battery with me all of the time, inside the case I can hide emergency money. I have added contact info to my screensaver. I also have several apps on my phone that provide critical information when I may need it from first aid to a scanner radio app to provide critical info. I have photos and backed up files of important docs regarding my home, and health stored as well as important contacts that can be contacted in case something happens and someone needs to get ahold of my family.

DAY 21 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    We want you to share some what makes your phone your No. 1 Safety Tool. Additionally share with us how you will keep it charged if we lose power. Please be generic in your responses to not share any vital information but give broad ideas that might help someone else think of new ways of using their phone as a safety tool.

Level Up: 5 pts For today’s level up, we want you to do some research. We want you to dig a little more, and share apps, and additional ways your phone can be a great safety tool. Provide links or create a video highlighting suggestions to help someone make sure they have info stored safely on their phone in case of an emergency.

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge.

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.

For years we have mentioned the importance of have some emergency cash on hand, in small bills, just in case of an emergency or disaster happens. However one thing that COVID shed light on, was the importance of having not just a little emergency cash being stashed away for short-term but the need for actual Financial Preparedness.

60% of households will experience at least 1 emergency each year!! Big or Little, the costs of an emergency can stack up quickly. Today, more than ever, it’s important to be prepared for the immediate AND the long-term costs you may face no matter the size of the emergency or disaster!

DAY 20 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    For today’s challenge, we want to start by ensuring you have emergency cash on hand.. It’s recommended that you have at least $300.00 in small bills, just in case. We don’t need to know how much, or where you have it… but let us know you have emergency cash on hand.

Level Up: 25 pts Today’s Level Up may take a little longer to complete depending on how organized you may be, so it’s also worth MORE pts, but its worth taking some time and at least START pulling it together.. Remember, you have until the end of the month to complete each challenge so you have plenty of time to work on this one….

Think about what you will need to provide your insurance if an item is lost or damaged:

• Proof of ownership, value, appraisals, receipts, etc
• Warranties
• Make/model and serial numbers

Gather your Important Documents and Information:

• Identification
  • Drivers license, passport, social security card, birth certificate, federal/state/tribal ID)
  • This includes pets! Photos, microchip information, vaccinations, licenses, etc
• Wills, trusts, marriage license, estate information
• Insurance information
• Banking information
• Medical information
• Asset information (titles, deeds, leases, etc)
• Records of all current finances and payments (utility bills, loans, credit cards)

Take Pictures of Everything!

• Before and after pictures for damage claims
• Pictures as proof of lost items for replacement

Again…we do not need to see your items, or know where or how you have them stored, but be honest, and creative in letting us know where you are in having these items backed up and together in case of an emergency or disaster

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge.

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.

You cannot go a day without almost without hearing a report of someone’s account getting hacked.  In fact according to some of the info-commercials out there, someone’s personal information is stolen about every 43 seconds!  Identity Theft and Cyber-security have become real concerns for every individual  More and more of us use the conveniences of online shopping, and bill pay, for everything from fitness, to grocery shopping.  Today most of all the transactions we do are with plastic which has made it easier for hackers to find ways to target our accounts.

There are lots of recommendations out there how to keep your personal information safe.  From safeguarding your personal information on paper, online and your devices, to changing passwords and using different passwords for different accounts.  There are even services out there providing basically an insurance plan in monitoring to help keep your information safe.  

DAY 19 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    For today’s challenge, we want you to share some general steps and recommendations you do to keep your identity and personal information safe.  Please keep your responses general to protect your important information.

Level Up: 5 pts For today’s level up,

• Give suggestions on services methods to keep passwords safe.
• Share ideas on how to get set up with alerts on your accounts.
• Share information regarding resources to help someone strengthen their online security.
• Share how you identify scams and how you ensure you do not fall for them.
• Give suggestions on how to keep information backed up safely.

  Finally…. take this time to change your passwords!!

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge.

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.

Hey Everyone, Eric from the 30 Days Gang, here with your day 18 Challenge! Wow We are already halfway thru the month! Today seems like a good day to tackle a topic that really requires a bit of time and some conversations. Today, lets discuss medications.

One of the questions we get a lot when we talk about preparedness, is how do you have extra medications on hand that require certain prescriptions? While there is not an easy answer to this question, we do suggest you have a conversation with your doctor and pharmacist and see if they will work with you to have a few extra dosages available in case of an emergency or disaster.

Additionally, we want you to spend a little time going through your medicine cabinet and determining what is expired and how to dispose of old medications.

DAY 18 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    For todays Challenge we want you to share what tricks you have come up with to have prescriptions on hand. If you have not had this conversation yet, share with us about your goals to have this conversation with your doctor and pharmacist in the near future.

Level Up: 5 pts For today’s level up, we want you to take a look inside your medicine cabinet and clear out anything that might be outdated. Take a pic and share with us. Additionally, share with us how you plan on or where you plan on disposing them.

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge.

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.

It was great as a kiddo to have a parent take care of a “boo boo” when I would get hurt. I still remember the “Bactine” and “Mercurochrome” (I might be dating myself there) being brought out to treat any scrapes or cuts I may have gotten prior to the band aid and yes a kiss.

As we get older, mom may not be there to help heal our “boo boo’s” and during a disaster or emergency it will be even more important to have a good first aid kit.

It doesn’t take a major emergency to understand having Basic First Aid training and being able to perform at least Hands Only CPR should be part of everyone’s plan.  Most of us have been somewhere during our lifetime where someone has gotten injured or choking and need assistance.  In times of disasters, these life skills can be even more valuable, as first responders most likely will be overwhelmed, and or may not be able to get to you.  Today we want to talk about you being First Aid and CPR Ready.

DAY 17 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    For Today’s task we want you to do a First Aid Kit check.  Do you have a First Aid Kit as part of your Emergency Supplies?  If not your task today is to acquire a First Aid Kit for your supplies.  If you have a First Aid Kit in your supplies, we want you to take a look at it.  How old are the supplies in it?  Are there any items missing or need replacing?  If so your task today is replace those items missing or are out of date.

Level Up: 5 pts For our more experienced players, here is your teaching moment. For today’s level up, we want you to show us your skills.  Share a short video (2 minutes or less) of you reviewing items in your First Aid Kit, and their uses OR performing Hands Only CPR, Stop the Bleed, or another medical first aid related training you have… Remember to not only be informative but be creative!!

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge.

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.

Hey Everyone, Eric Again with your Day 16 Challenge.

I would like to introduce you all to Emery the Penguin… Emery is our 9-1-1 mascot here at Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency to help us teach about the importance of calling 9-1-1 in our community. Since I came to work at CRESA 9-1-1 several years back, I’ve had the opportunity to work side by side with many 9-1-1 Dispatchers. Talk about cool under pressure… as they deal with people on their worst days.

I’ve had the opportunity to ask several of our dispatchers what they would like you to know about calling 9-1-1. Here are the most important:

1. Don’t Hang Up… Stay On The Line… If no one answers immediately and you hang up, and try calling again, your call remains in the system. At the same time, dispatchers have to call you back. That ties up phone lines and staffing!
2. All the questions they ask are for a reason... from verifying your address to slowing you down, there are protocols they must follow, and those questions are there for a purpose.. to help slow down the caller enough that the dispatcher can get the information they need to get the right help on the way to them as quickly as possible.
3. Know Your Location… The dispatcher is going to ask you this, to help verify the address to ensure the proper help can get there as quickly as possible. Think about landmarks when you are away from your work or home.
4. Don’t Let Kid’s Play with old Cell Phones... Old cell phones if they have battery power can still call 9-1-1.

DAY 16 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    Alright… so lets get to today’s challenge…. For today’s challenge… It’s really easy… Tell us what you would call 9-1-1 for… Make sure you have something posted easily in your home with this number as well as your address, and if you have small children, your names. Make sure everyone in the household is aware of the information.

Level Up: 5 pts For your Level up.. We want you to think about those calls that, well may require assistance but are not an emergency situation requiring calling 9-1-1. For today’s level up, we want you to locate those non-emergency numbers in your community, and make sure they are available as well. Share with us a quick pic of your list for your community.  

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.

We cannot talk about emergency preparedness without discussing the importance of potable (drinking) water storage. In an emergency your regular water source may be cut-off or contaminated. Prepare yourself by building a supply of water that will meet your family’s needs during an emergency. The rule of thumb is to store one gallon of water per person per day. This is the minimum for drinking and some cooking needs. It does not include what would be needed for pets or for sanitation.

DAY 15 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    Share a photo or video of the water you have stored for emergency use and how many people in your household. Could be as simple as some extra bottled water in the pantry, don’t worry if you don’t don’t have your full supply ready to go yet.

Level Up: 5 pts We are bringing back one of our more conversational challenges for today’s level up. Tell us how you would be able to purify water from a non-sterile source. Let us know if you have all of the materials needed at your home to purify water (via your explained method). Share a photo or video.

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge.

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.

Hey Everyone, Eric from the 30 Days Gang, here with your Day 14 Challenge.

For many of us, our pets are members of our families. That means we need to remember them when it comes to preparing for emergencies.   Making adequate arrangements not in only what we pack for them but doing a little research prior makes sense. Today we talk about those other family members that need to be prepared as well. Today we talk about your pets.

DAY 14 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    For your Day 14 Challenge, we want to get a glimpse of your kits for your pets. Share what you have for them. Share any tricks or tips you have to make sure you have water, food, toys, records ready to go in case of an emergency or disaster.

Level Up: 5 pts For today’s Level up…We want to see your pets… we all could use a flooding of Social Media of pets…. and what better than pets and their preparedness kits!! Lets flood Social media with pictures and videos of your pets ready for a disaster or emergency.. The more creative.. the more bonus points.

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge.

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.

Today’s challenge is focused around preparing those littles that may be members of your family, and how we help them prepare for disasters or emergencies. Do you include them in conversations? Did they help pack their own kits? Even if you do not have kiddo’s or grand kiddo’s, you can still complete today’s challenge.. Just be certain not to give the answers away.

DAY 13 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    For your day 13 challenge, we are giving you (and your kiddo’s) a Scavenger Hunt!! We are providing the riddles and clues.. You and your kiddo’s need to solve and find at least three of the items around your home! Take a pic of the items they found as proof and share with us! So here are your riddles and clues:

1. You can’t last without me for more than 3-4 days!
2. You can’t last without me for more than 3-4 weeks!
3. It’s difficult to see at night without me
4. I have a negative and positive side of me
5. You can refill me at Walgreens or CVS
6. You can find bandages in me
7. I can jingle in your pocket or be folded. Presidents can be found on me.
8. I keep you warm and cozy
9. Sorry! The CLUE is SCRABBLED and you need to CONNECT 4 the answer. I am good at keeping you busy, and require no batteries or power.
10. I keep you clean and fresh
11. I have multiple uses like making Tik Toks, and am with you almost all the time… I sure hope you don’t let me die.

Level Up: 5 pts For today’s level up… if you can bring your littles into the conversation here. In a video actually share them solving today’s riddles and finding the items.

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge.

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.

In the PNW, over the past year we have lived some crazy extreme weather. The same can be said for other regions of the U.S. and around the world. From extreme heat in the PNW, to severe winter storms in Texas, and even snow in Rio, Brazil, it’s evident that our climate is changing. These types of weather patterns, that were once referred to as 100 year storms, are becoming part of a new normal that makes it important for us not only to understand and prepare for these conditions, but also understand the terminology used to understand the potential severity.

It’s a Watch!  No it’s a Warning!!  Wait it’s an Advisory…  Oofta…. When it comes to the weather and the difference in meanings between what these terms mean, it can be confusing.  Even among public safety officials I have witnessed first hand confusion in the difference between these terms.

How and why do they elevate?  Why should we understand the difference?  Does more and more warning levels confuse individuals when actions should be taken?  All some good questions that I hope today’s challenge will help us answer! For today’s challenge, we want to know about your weather knowledge and who you rely on for your forecasts, if in fact you pay attention to the weather around you.

DAY 12 Challenge:1-3, or 5 pts    Now that we have talked weather, it’s a good time to review what clothing items you have in your kits. As seasons change, it might be time to exchange flip flops and board shorts with a rain jacket or a scarf. Take a picture or video of your “updated Kit”  Share with us what items you found out of date “Weather” by expatriation date or size and style..

Level Up: 5 pts Explain the difference between a Watch, Warning and Advisory IN YOUR OWN WORDS! No copying directly from a National Weather Service website explaining those.. Create a picture, drawing or video explaining these.  We also want to know if you can tell the difference between types of clouds, the difference between a funnel cloud and a tornado, and any other weather phenomenon’s you can think of.  Be creative. 
 

Find Allies:  Recruit friends and family members to play 30 Days, 30 Ways…. Challenge your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your neighborhood and your community to take the 30 Days challenge! Build Your Network!!  Each day a person you recruit completes a 30 Days 30 Ways task, your points double for that days task. The more individuals you convince to play, the more points you can earn for each days challenge.

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 3 ways you can complete this task:

1. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
2. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.
3. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer.