Emergency Management
While we all hope we will not have to experience a natural disaster such as fire, flooding, severe storm, earthquake, etc., it has been shown time and time again that being prepared for disasters is prudent. How will this help you? Many people think that when a disaster strikes, the emergency management system, local law enforcement agency, or National Guard will be there to rescue them, if needed. They will. But some disasters overwhelm the local response system, extending the time it takes for help to arrive. There are steps you can take now, to help you survive until these agencies can get to you.
We cannot stop disasters from occurring, but we can limit their impact on us and those we love. Proper planning and preparation will help you and your family be more comfortable in the event that your home is damaged, or you can’t get back into it. The most important concept in developing a family emergency preparedness plan is communication. Every member of the family needs to be involved, so that when disaster strikes, everyone will know what to do.
How well you manage the aftermath of disaster depends a great deal on your level of preparedness when disaster strikes.
FOUR STEPS TO DISASTER PLANNING
- Find out what disasters could happen to you.
- Create a disaster plan.
- Put your plan into action.
- Practice and maintain your plan.
There are some basics you should stock in your home:
Water: Store one gallon of water per person per day. Have purifying agents available.
Food: Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each person. Select foods that require no refrigeration, cooking or preparation. Select food items that are compact and lightweight and rotate the food supply every six months. Possibilities: ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables, canned soup, powdered milk, staples (salt, pepper, sugar); high energy foods – peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix; vitamins; comfort/stress food (cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags.)
First Aid Kit: You should have two first aid kits – one for your home and the other for your car.
Tools and Supplies: Paper cups, plates and utensils, battery operated radio and extra batteries; cash, travelers checks, change; non-electric can opener; fire extinguisher (ABC type); pliers, tape, compass, aluminum foil; signal flare; paper and pencils; shut off wrench; whistle; map.
Sanitation: Toilet paper, soap, liquid detergent, plastic garbage bags, plastic bucket with tight lid; chlorine bleach, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items.
Clothing and Bedding: At least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person; sturdy shoes or work boots; rain gear; blankets or sleeping bags; coat, hat and gloves; thermal underwear; sunglasses.
Medications: Keep an extra supply of prescription and non-prescription medications on hand. Non-prescription medications might include: aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, antacids, laxatives, rubbing alcohol, antiseptic or hydrogen peroxi
de.
Important Family Documents: Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container: will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, bank account numbers, inventory of valuable household goods, passports, social security cards, immunization records, credit card account numbers and companies, family records (birth, marriage, death certificates).
Entertainment: Games and books.
Keep a smaller version of the disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.