High school designated an emergency shelter

Local authorities have settled on Sisters High School as the location for an emergency shelter in the event of any disaster such as flood, fire, earthquake or severe winter weather.

David Cary of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Management met with city and school officials earlier this month to define emergency plans.

While the meeting was timed just slightly in advance of the turn of the year, authorities say the emphasis is on general preparedness, not on concerns about any potential "Y2K" problems.

"As far as Y2K, we don't really think there's going to be problems," said city administrator Barbara Warren.

The Sisters Firehall is designated as an emergency command center; KLNR FM 97.5 has battery backup that will allow it to broadcast emergency updates, according to Warren.

Cary said that citizens should stay off the phone lines during emergencies because too many people calling to check up on friends and family can clog lines and stall emergency communications.

Citizens are also advised not to "test" systems such as 9-1-1 at New Year's, for fear of overloading the system with phony calls.

Emergency management officials recommend storing water and food for emergencies. They recommend storing one gallon of water per person per day (do not use milk containers or glass bottles for storage). Store three days worth of nonperishable food.

Families should keep a first aid kit and supplies such as batteries, a radio, personal sanitation and hygiene supplies, a fire extinguisher, a sewing kit.

Families should come up with a disaster preparedness plan and drill, including deciding on a meeting place away from the home and a friend or relative to "check in" with.