Emergency Preparedness \u2013 Planning Ahead<\/p>\n
Preparing for an emergency now, provides you your best chance of survival, in the event of an actual attack. Emergency preparedness should always be considered in the home and workplace for any unexpected event.<\/p>\n
This site provides a step-by-step approach to emergency preparedness by walking the reader through emergency plans in a variety of scenarios. As you make your emergency plan, carefully consider the information you\u2019ll find throughout this website.<\/p>\n
Introduction To Emergency Preparedness<\/p>\n
Devastating acts, such as 911 and the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, have left many concerned about the possibility of future events and their potential impact. They have raised uncertainty and heightened our awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness. There are specific steps you can take to prepare for the unexpected and reduce the stress that you may feel now and later should another emergency arise. Taking preparatory action can reassure you, your family and co-workers n that you can exert a measure of control even in the face of such events.<\/p>\n
Emergency Preparedness \u2013 What You Can Do to<\/p>\n
Finding out what can happen is the first step. Once you have determined the events possible and their potential in your community, it is important that you discuss them with your family or household. Develop a disaster\/ emergency preparedness plan together.<\/p>\n
Create an emergency communications plan.<\/p>\n
Choose an out-of-town contact your family or household will call or e-mail to check on each other should a disaster occur. Your selected contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event, and they should know they are the chosen contact.<\/p>\n
Make sure every household member has that contact\u2019s, and each other\u2019s, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers (home, work, pager and cell). Leave these contact numbers at your children\u2019s schools, if you have children, and at your workplace. Your family should know that if telephones are not working, they need to be patient and try again later or try e-mail. Many people flood the telephone lines when emergencies happen but e-mail can sometimes get through when calls don\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Establish meeting places.<\/p>\n
Having predetermined meeting places away from your home will save time and minimize confusion should your home be affected or the area evacuated. You may even want to make arrangements to stay with a family member or friend in case of an emergency. Be sure to include any pets in these plans, since pets are not permitted in shelters and some hotels will not accept them. Have two emergency locations, each in opposite directions. You won\u2019t know, until an actual emergency, which direction you will need to evacuate.<\/p>\n
Assemble a disaster supplies or 72 hour emergency preparedness kit.<\/p>\n
If you need to evacuate your home or are asked to \u201cshelter in place,\u201d having some essential supplies on hand will make you and your family more comfortable. Prepare an emergency preparedness kit in an easy-to-carry container such as a duffel bag or small plastic trash can. Include \u201cspecial needs\u201d items for any member of your household (infant formula or items for people with disabilities or older people), first aid supplies (including prescription medications), a change of clothing for each household member, a sleeping bag or bedroll for each, a battery powered radio or television and extra batteries, food, bottled water and tools.<\/p>\n
It is also a good idea to include some cash and copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licenses) in your kit. Copies of essential documents-like powers of attorney, birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, life insurance beneficiary designations and a copy of your will-should also be kept in a safe location outside your home. A safe deposit box or the home of a friend or family member who lives out of town is a good choice.<\/p>\n
Check on the school emergency preparedness plan of any school-age children you may have.<\/p>\n
You need to know if they will they keep children at school until a parent or designated adult can pick them up or send them home on their own. Be sure that the school has updated information about how to reach parents and responsible caregivers to arrange for pickup. And, ask what type of authorization the school may require to release a child to someone you designate, if you are not able to pick up your child. During times of emergency the school telephones may be overwhelmed with calls.<\/p>\n
If the disaster occurs near your home while you are there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches. Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.<\/p>\n
What Could Happen \u2013 Emergency Planning<\/p>\n
As we learned from the events of September 11, 2001, the following things can happen after a terrorist attack:<\/p>\n
Evacuation in an emergency<\/p>\n
If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request, and you should heed the advice immediately. Listen to your radio or television and follow the instructions of local emergency officials and keep these simple tips in mind.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re sure you have time \u2026additional emergency prepareness actions<\/p>\n
Additional Steps You Can Take<\/p>\n
Raw, unedited footage of terrorism events and people\u2019s reaction to those events can be very upsetting, especially to children. We do not recommend that children watch television news reports about such events, especially if the news reports show images over and over again about the same incident. Young children do not realize that it is repeated video footage, and think the event is happening again and again.<\/p>\n
Adults may also need to give themselves a break from watching disturbing footage. However, listening to local radio and television reports will provide you with the most accurate information from responsible governmental authorities on what\u2019s happening and what actions you will need to take. So you may want to make some arrangements to take turns listening to the news with other adult members of your household.<\/p>\n
Another useful preparation includes learning some basic first aid. To enroll in a first aid and AED\/CPR course, contact your local American Red Cross chapter.<\/p>\n
In an emergency situation, you need to tend to your own well-being first and then consider first aid for others immediately around you, including possibly assisting injured people to evacuate a building if necessary.<\/p>\n
People who may have come into contact with a biological or chemical agent may need to go through a decontamination procedure and receive medical attention. Listen to the advice of local officials on the radio or television to determine what steps you will need to take to protect yourself and your family. As emergency services will likely be overwhelmed, only call 9-1-1 about life-threatening emergencies.<\/p>\n
Emergency preparedness \u2013 Each Persons Responisbility<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t wait until disaster strikes to realize the benefits of a good emergency preparedness plan. Begin gathering the items you will need and going over your plan with all family members, at regular intervals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Emergency Preparedness \u2013 Planning Ahead Preparing for an emergency now, provides you your best chance of survival, in the event of an actual attack. Emergency preparedness should always be considered in the home and workplace for any unexpected event. This site provides a step-by-step approach to emergency preparedness by walking the reader through emergency plans<\/p>\n