Why having an Emergency Disaster Plan is Important
An emergency or disaster can strike quickly and without warning. Disasters can force individuals and families to evacuate their neighborhood or be confined to their homes. Deciding what to do if basic services, such as water, gas, electricity, or telephone service were disrupted becomes critical. Local officials and relief workers will do all they can but most likely they will not be able to reach everyone immediately.
Families can best cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Making each family member aware of his or her responsibility and possible responses, is your best protection. More information about Emergency Disaster Preparedness Plans are available from your local Emergency Management office or your local Red Cross Chapter.
The Four Steps to Emergency Disaster Preparedness
Step 1
Determine what could happen to you. By determining what your risks may be, you can prepare for the disaster most likely to occur in your area. Finding the answers to the following questions can be extremely beneficial to your ability to cope survive a disaster.
Based on where you live or travel, what type of emergencies or disasters are most likely to happen? Along with weather related disasters, also identify which human-caused or technological disasters can affect your region. Keep in mind that major chemical emergencies can occur anywhere chemical substances are stored, manufactured, or transported.
What is the best way to prepare for each identified potential disaster?
Does your community have a public warning system? Find out what your community’s warning signals sound like, what they may indicate and what you should do when you hear them.
What are the emergency plans at your workplace, at your children’s school or day care center, and at other places where your family members spend time? Your family should be prepared wherever they may be when an emergency strikes.
Step 2
Prepare a Written Family Emergency Disaster Preparedness Plan. Once you have identified what disasters are possible in your area, talk to your family about how to best prepare and how to respond if an emergency or disaster occurs. Draft a written checklist of steps you can take as you discuss this information with your family.
Here are suggestions as to how to create your Family Emergency Disaster Preparedness Plan:
Meet with your family and discuss why it’s important to prepare for Emergencies or Disasters. Examine and explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to each family member. Assign responsibilities and plan to work together as a team. Keep your plan simple enough so that individuals can remember the important details. Most disasters are extremely stressful situations that can create confusion. The most effective disaster plans are those that are clear and concise.
Based on the information that you obtained in step one above, discuss the types of disasters that are likely to happen. Discuss the best actions to take in each case. All household members should know all the necessary steps to take in case the entire family is separated and not together. Planning the proper response to emergencies and disasters ahead of time can help reduce fear and anxiety and will help everyone respond in a safer and more efficient manner.
Pick two places to reunite: Pick a spot immediately outside of your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire or when the emergency involves a very small disaster area. For emergencies involving larger areas choose a meeting place somewhere outside your neighborhood. Keep in mind that you may not be able to return home or that you may be forced to leave your neighborhood. Everyone should know the address and phone number of the chosen meeting locations.
Develop an emergency reunification plan. In those cases where family members are separated from one another during floods or other disasters, develop a plan for getting back together. Separation is very likely, especially during the day when adults are at work and children are at school or daycare.
Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be your family’s contact person. It’s best if your contact person lives well outside your area. Many times after a disaster, it can be easier to place a long distance call than a local call. Family members should know to how to call the contact person so they can provide or receive information. Obviously, it is critical that everyone has the contact persons name, address, and phone number.
Decide what to do if authorities force you to evacuate your home. If possible make plans to stay with a friend or relative who lives out of town and/or learn about possible shelter locations.
Become familiar with possible escape routes from your area. Plan several escape routes in the eventuality that certain roads become blocked or closed. Remember to pay attention to the advice of local officials during evacuation situations. Officials will direct you to safe routes and away from roads that may be blocked or dangerous.
Step 3
Necessary checklist items. Remember to include the following often-overlooked items on your checklists.
Post emergency telephone numbers (fire, police, ambulance, etc.) by each telephone. Time may be of the essence in an emergency and lost time taken to look up telephone numbers could be critical.
Teach all possible family members when and how to shut off the water, gas, and electricity at the main valves or switches. It is imperative to have the necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves. Only turn off utilities where you suspect there is a leak or a dangerous situation exists, or if you are instructed to do so by authorities. If you turn the gas off, wait for a professional to turn it back on. Paint shut-off valves with white or fluorescent paint to increase their visibility.
Check that your insurance coverage is adequate. Request that your insurance agent review your policies to ensure that you are covered adequately. Standard homeowner’s insurance does not usually cover losses due to floods. If you are a renter, you should consider purchasing Renter’s Insurance to protect your personal property as the landlord’s policy only protects the building. Renters’ insurance can cost as little as $15 a month in many areas of the country.
Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Smoke alarms can significantly reduce your chances of dying in a home fire. Smoke alarms can sense abnormal amounts of smoke or combustion gases that are invisible in the air. Detectors can sense both smoldering and flaming fires. Many communities are now requiring hard-wired smoke alarms in all new homes.
Obtain fire department training in the use of fire extinguishers and show all family members where extinguishers are mounted. Different extinguisher types operate and perform in different ways. Training is important to assure that the extinguishers are used effectively. Wasting time to read directions during an emergency is a bad idea. Only adults should use fire extinguishers.
Conduct a home hazard search. During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home are able to cause injury or damage. Items that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire are all hazards. Check for electrical, chemical, and fire hazards. Be sure your water heater is properly strapped to the wall. Your local fire department can help inform you about home fire hazards. It’s an excellent idea to inspect your home every year (at a minimum) and then remove all potential hazards.
Build-up your stores of emergency supplies and assemble an Emergency Disaster Preparedness Kit. Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your family’s needs for at least three days. Also be sure to assemble a separate Emergency Disaster Preparedness Kit with items you may need in case you are forced to evacuate (see Emergency Disaster Kits: Evacuation). Store such supplies in clearly labeled, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffel bags.
Prepare and keep a small Emergency Disaster Preparedness Kit in your car. If you become stranded or are unable to return home, these items will help you to be more comfortable and possibly even save your life.
Maintain a portable, battery-operated radio or television with extra fresh batteries. Your life may depend on maintaining a communications link with the outside world. Make sure that all family members know where the battery-operated radio or television is located.
Consider using a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone-alert feature. NOAA Weather Radio is the best means to receive warnings from the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service continuously broadcasts radio weather warnings and forecasts that can be received by these special NOAA Weather Radios. These special radios can be purchased in many stores. The NOAA Weather Radio station now broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards including floods, earthquakes and volcanic activity as well as technological emergencies such as chemical releases or oil spills.
Working with other federal agencies and the revised Emergency Alert System, NOAA Weather Radio is an “all hazards” radio station, making it the single source for the most comprehensive weather and emergency information available to the general public. It is highly suggested that you purchase a NOAA Weather Radio that has both a battery backup and a Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) feature. The SAME feature automatically alerts you when a watch or warning is issued for your area, giving you immediate information about any life-threatening situations.
The NOAA radio’s average range is 40 miles, depending on topography, as the NOAA Weather Radio signal is a line-of-sight signal, which does not penetrate hills or mountains.
Consider Taking a Red Cross First Aid and CPR class. Your family can learn basic safety measures that could be critical in an emergency.
Plan out household escape routes. Determine the best escape routes from your home in case of a fire or other emergency that would require you to leave your home quickly. It’s best to plan two ways out of each room in case one is blocked.
Find the best place in your home for each specific type of emergency. Different disasters or emergencies often require different types of safe places. While basements may be appropriate for tornadoes, they could be deadly in a chemical emergency.
Make two photocopies of all vital documents and keep the originals in a safe deposit box at a bank. Store one copy in a safe place in your home, and consider giving another copy to an out-of-town friend or relative. Vital documents such as birth certificates marriage licenses, tax records, credit card numbers, financial records, and wills and trusts are often lost during emergencies and disasters.
Make a complete and detailed inventory of your home, shop, garage, and property. Be sure to store a copy of your inventory in an off-site location. The inventory can be written or videotaped. Important information such as serial numbers, make and model numbers, physical descriptions, and price of purchases (receipts, if possible) should be included. Such lists can help you prove the value of what you owned if your possessions are damaged or destroyed and can help you to file tax deduction claims.
Step 4
Practice and update your emergency plan. Practicing your plan will help you instinctively make the correct response during a real emergency or disaster. You should review your plan periodically and continually update it as needed.
Test your kids every six months to be sure that they will remember what to do, where your meeting places are, where phone numbers are, and basic safety rules.
Stage and conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills twice a year or more. It’s a good idea to actually drive evacuation routes so that each driver will be familiar with emergency escape routes. Select alternate routes in case the main evacuation route is blocked during an actual emergency. Mark your evacuation routes on a map; keep the map in your Emergency Disaster Preparedness Kit.
Replace stored food and water in your Emergency Disaster Kits every six months. Replacing your food and water supplies regularly will help ensure freshness.
Push the “test” button to test each smoke alarm once a month. The button tests all electronic functions and is much safer than testing with a controlled fire such as matches, lighters, or cigarettes. Replace batteries yearly or immediately if the test fails. Make sure that your children know what your smoke alarm sounds like.
If you have battery-powered smoke alarms, be sure to replace batteries at least once a year. Some experts recommend that you replace batteries when the time changes from standard time to daylight savings time or on New Year’s Day.
Replace all your smoke alarms every 10 years. Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time.
Examine your fire extinguisher to ensure it’s properly charged. Fire extinguishers may fail to work if they are not properly charged.
What Information Children Find Helpful
Tell children that a disaster is something that happens and that people could get hurt, things could get damaged, or that it’s possible that utilities such as water, telephones, or electricity could be lost. Telling them that nature sometimes provides “too much of a good thing”, like too much fire, rain, wind or snow will help them understand. Talk about related effects that children can understand, such as loss of electricity, water, and telephone service.
Site several examples of emergencies that could happen in your community. Help children recognize the warning signs for emergencies. Discussing emergencies ahead of time can reduce fear and anxiety and helps everyone respond better.
Teach children how and when to call for aid. Review the telephone directory for local emergency telephone numbers and services. If you live in an area that has 9-1-1 service, teach children to dial 9-1-1. At home, post emergency numbers near all phones and explain to children when to call each number. Even very young children can learn how and when to call for emergency help.
Explain that when people know what to do, and then practice in advance, everyone is better able to understand and handle emergencies. That’s why you need to create a Family Emergency Disaster Preparedness Plan.
Older children should take a First Aid and CPR course. Such courses teach critical skills in a fun learning environment.
Let children know that in a disaster there are many people who can provide help. Talk about ways that emergency personnel, Red Cross volunteers, police officers, firefighters, teachers, neighbors, doctors, or utility workers might help following an emergency.
Instruct children to call your family’s emergency contact person in case they are separated from the family in an emergency. Help them memorize the telephone number and write the number down on a card that the child can keep with them.
Pet Considerations
Plan how best to take care of your pets. If forced to evacuate, it is best to take your pets with you. Remember that pets (other than service animals) are not permitted in most public shelters because of safety considerations.
Contact hotels and motels outside of your immediate area to check their policies regarding pets and restrictions on the number, size, and species. Perhaps “no pet” policies could be waived in an emergency. Ask and find out.
Check with friends and relatives outside of the affected area and see if they could shelter your pets. If you have two or more pets, they may be more comfortable staying together, but be prepared to house them separately if necessary.
Compile a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could keep your animals during an emergency or disaster; include 24-hour phone numbers when available. Ask managers of local animal shelters if they can provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in an emergency. Animal shelters may become crowded, so check early and keep this alternative as your last resort.
Place pets in a sturdy carrier. Animals may feel threatened by some emergencies and become frightened or try to run.
Have identification, collar, leash, and current proof of vaccinations for all pets. Some establishments may require vaccination records before they will allow you to board your pets. If your pet becomes lost, identification will help officials return your pet to you.
Assemble a portable pet emergency kit. Store food, water, and any special pet needs in a sturdy and easy-to-carry container.
Maintain current photos of your pets in case they get lost.
If all else fails and you absolutely must leave your pets at home, prepare an emergency pen inside your home that includes a three-day supply of dry food and a large un-tipable container of fresh water.
Preparing For An Emergency Or Disaster As A Community
Discuss with your neighbors how to best work together after an emergency, until help arrives. Working efficiently with neighbors can save lives and property. If you’re a member of a neighborhood group, such as a homeowner’s association or a crime watch group, try to introduce Emergency Disaster Preparedness for the group’s consideration. Your local fire department may offer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.
Prepare a list of your neighbors’ special skills (for example, medical, technical, mechanical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as a disabled person and elderly persons.
Identify elderly and disabled people in the neighborhood. Ask them how you can help if an emergency occurred addressing such items as transportation needs, securing the home, medication needs, etc.
Make plans to care for children in case parents can’t get home.
Evacuation Considerations
Evacuate immediately if authorities so order. Authorities will not ask you to leave unless they truly feel lives may be in danger. Follow their advice closely.
Tune to local radio or television stations and follow the instructions of emergency officials. Local officials will provide you with the best advice for your particular situation and area.
Wear protective, layered clothing and sturdy shoes. Disaster areas may contain debris and many health hazards. One of the most common injuries following emergencies is cut feet.
Secure your home. Other people may evacuate the area after you or return before you do. Lock all doors and windows as you normally would when leaving for an extended period.
Use only evacuation routes specified by local authorities. Don’t take shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable and or dangerous to travel.
If you are allowed only moments before evacuating, grab the following suggested items and go:
- A First aid kit, including prescription medicines, dentures, extra eyeglasses, and hearing aids and batteries.
- Emergency Kits: Basic and Evacuation
- A change of clothes or two and a sleeping bag and pillow for each household member.
- Your car keys and also the keys to the place you may be evacuating to (a friend’s or relative’s residence).
If evacuation orders are not pressing and if local officials haven’t ordered an immediate evacuation, but there’s a chance the weather may get worse or flooding may happen, take some steps to protect your home and belongings while you’re away:
Confine all pets into the house and place them in one room, if possible. If it appears necessary, make arrangements for your pets. Pets often try to run when they are frightened or feel threatened. Keeping them inside and confined to one room will allow you to find them quickly if you need to leave in a hurry.
Put your Emergency Kits (Basic and Evacuation) in your car, or near the door if you may be leaving on foot. In some emergency situations, such as a tsunami, it may be better to leave by foot.
Notify your family contact person of your intended destination and when you expect to arrive. Relatives and friends will be very concerned about your family’s safety. Letting someone know your travel intentions will help relieve the fear and anxiety of those who care for you.
Bring possessions indoors. Furniture, trash cans, toys, garden equipment, clotheslines, hanging plants, and any other objects that may be blown about or swept away should be stored indoors.
Look for potential wind blown hazards. Look objects like coconuts, un-ripened fruit, and other items in trees around your property that could blow or break off and fly around in strong wind conditions. Cut such items off and store them indoors until the storm is over. If you haven’t already cut away dead or diseased branches and limbs from trees and shrubs, leave them alone. Local garbage collection services will not have time to collect anything before a storm arrives.
Turn off the electricity at the main fuse panel or breaker box, and turn off the water at the main valve. Unless local officials advise you otherwise, leave the natural gas turned on because you will need it for heating and cooking when you return to your home. If you turn the gas off, a licensed professional is required to turn the gas back on and it may take several weeks for a utility professional to respond after an emergency or disaster.
Close off propane gas tank service. Propane tanks often times become damaged or dislodged in emergencies or disasters.
If strong winds are predicted, cover all the outside windows of your home. Use shutters that are rated to provide protection from windblown debris, or install pre-fit plywood coverings.
If flooding is predicted, consider using sand bags to help keep water away from your home. It takes two people approximately one hour to fill and place 100 sandbags. One hundred sand bags will produce a wall one foot high and 20 feet long. Make sure you stock enough sand, burlap bags (or plastic bags) and several shovels. Be sure to plan on needing strong helpers and time to place the bags properly.
Steps To Follow After An Emergency Or Disaster
Stay calm and be patient. Staying calm and rational will help you to move safely and to avoid delays or accidents caused by irrational behavior. Most likely you will encounter many people that will also be trying to accomplish the same things you are for their family’s safety. Your patience will help everyone around you will help you get through a difficult situation more easily.
Follow your plan. Having previously detailed specific steps to take will help keep you working toward your family’s safety.
Listen to your local radio or television stations for news and emergency instructions. Local officials will provide the most appropriate advice for your particular situation and area.
Check people around you for injuries. Give first aid where necessary and get help for seriously injured people. Taking care of yourself first will allow you to then provide help to others until emergency res ponders can arrive.
Help any of your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Wear protective, layered clothing and sturdy shoes. Disaster areas may contain many health hazards and hazardous debris. The most common injury following an emergency or disaster is cuts to the feet.
Check for damage in your house. Disasters or emergencies can cause extensive damage, sometimes in places that you would least expect. Look carefully for potential hazards.
Use only battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining homes and other buildings. Battery-powered lighting is the safest and easiest because it does not present a fire hazard for the user, occupants, or building.
Try to avoid using candles. Candles can and do cause fires. They are quiet and therefore easily forgotten. Candles can tip over during earthquake aftershocks or in wind gusts. Candles invite children to play with fire. Statistics show that more than three times as many people have died in house fires caused by using candles after an emergency than from the direct impact of the disaster itself.
Look for potential fire hazards. There could be broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces or electrical appliances. Fire is known to be the most frequent hazard following a flood.
Check for gas line leaks. Sniff for gas line leaks, starting from the water heater. If you notice a gas smell or suspect a leak, open a window and get all people outside quickly. Turn the gas off at the outside main valve if possible and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, the gas can only be turned back on by a utility professional.
Check for electrical system damage. If you notice sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell insulation burning, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker panel. Do not step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker; instead call an electrician for advice. Electrical equipment should be checked by a professional and dried before being returned to service.
Look for sewage and any water line damage. Should you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and immediately call a plumber. If you determine that water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from your tap. You can usually get safe water from undamaged water heaters or by melting ice cubes.
Clean up any spills immediately. Spills of medicines, bleach, gasoline, and other flammable liquids need immediate attention.
Check and note any loose plaster or ceilings that could fall.
Taking pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, can be very helpful for insurance claims.
Confine your pets in a room or secure them. Chances are they will be frightened and attempt to run away.
Let your family contact person know when you have returned home and then do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency. Telephone lines are very frequently overwhelmed during emergency situations. Phone lines need to be clear for any emergency calls to get through.
Make sure you have a sufficient water supply in case your water service is cut off. Water is often contaminated after major emergencies. An undamaged water heater may provide you the best source of safe drinking water.
Stay well away from any downed power lines and report them immediately to the utility company. Immediately getting damaged utilities turned off will help prevent further injury or damage. If possible, stay on the scene to warn others until the proper authorities can arrive.
