Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HERRIMAN -- Like so many other Herriman residents, Jan McKinnon remembers looking at the mountain two weeks ago and seeing huge flames coming down.
"It was cool at first," said McKinnon, "because we could see the lights above and then coming over the crest of the mountain."
With a couple of hours, though, her excitement turned into concern.
"The wind shifted and the smoke started coming in, and it really was scary," said McKinnon.
Her husband, who is a ham radio operator, volunteered to help Herriman City with its communication efforts.
That meant McKinnon was in charge of their four young children.
She noticed they were a little concerned because so many people were being evacuated from their homes.
"My one son grabbed all of his stuffed animals and put them in a backpack," said McKinnon, "and they were looking at me to see how I was reacting."
The McKinnons never had to evacuate, but the experience left her wondering if there was more she could do to get her children to relax.
That's when she found out about the Red Cross "Masters of Disaster" kits.
"It helps kids and families to know that disasters happen and you can get prepared, and you can fare well in a disaster if you're prepared," said Susan Thomas, a spokesperson with the Red Cross. "These kits have great lessons. They have booklets, they have discs, they have games and exercises for kids."
After getting some of the kits, McKinnon wishes she would've had them before the wildfire.
Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000
Cache County Office/Logan (435)752-1125
Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter (801) 323-7000
Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580
"I think the kids would've been more prepared," said McKinnon, "I think we may have been a little more prepared."
Using the kits, McKinnon says she was able to talk to her children about the wildfire, and how the black mountain will eventually be green again.
Her youngest son, William, kept coloring a mountain green.
"William is always saying we have a black mountain, but hopefully, he'll understand that, you know what, it's going to grow back and it's going to be even better than it was before," said McKinnon.
Other lessons include what items you can take with you if evacuated, and what you can leave behind. It's a scenario even adults aren't always ready for.
"We see it all the time. People have an evacuation or a fire or a flood and they have to leave their homes, and they think, ‘Oh no, what am I going to grab?'" said Thomas.
Thomas says practicing scenarios with your children is a great way to get them ready, in case the real thing ever happens.
"The kits really do help children and families get prepared," said Thomas.
The Red Cross is providing 8,000 of these kits to 6th-graders for free through school PTAs.
If you're interested in getting one, just contact the Red Cross. For the Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden: (801) 627-0000. Cache County Office/Logan: (435)752-1125. Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter: (801) 323-7000. Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo: (801) 373-8580.
You can also visit Utah's American Red Cross website HERE.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
