Preparing for the Unexpected Get Informed Get Involved

Preparing for the Unexpected Get Informed ● Get Involved ● Get Prepared

Overview • Disasters • The role of emergency management • The role of individuals and families – Informed – Prepared – Involved

Preparing for the Unexpected Disasters destroy property, disrupt lives, cause bodily injury and even death.

Recent Disasters in Texas • • • Winter Storms Explosion Effects of Katrina Hurricanes Rita, Ike, Dolly Wildfires Droughts

Types of Disasters Natural: Drought, fire, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, disease epidemics, wildfire Accidental: Chemicals, crashes, equipment failure, explosions, hazardous materials incidents, nuclear incidents Terrorism: Assassinations, biological and chemical weapons, bombings, cyber attacks, hijackings, kidnappings

Goals of Emergency Management • Save lives • Prevent injuries • Protect property and the environment

Emergency Management Plan • Organized analysis, planning, decisionmaking, and assignment of available resources • Identifies the players • Involves a cycle of activities before, during, and after an emergency situation

Cycle of Activities Mitigation Preparation Recovery Response

Your Role as a Private Citizen • To protect yourself and your family by knowing what to do before, during, and after an event.

Private Citizens as Partners • • Reduce hazards in and around homes Develop a family plan Prepare a disaster supply kit Monitor emergency communications carefully • Volunteer with an established organization • Train as an early responder

“Preparing for the Unexpected” • A booklet designed for families to help them prepare for the unexpected • All-hazard approach to planning

Private Citizens as Partners Get informed Get prepared Get involved

Get Informed • Know the types of potential disasters for you and your area – Natural – Accidental – Terrorism

Get Informed For disaster/emergency information – Tune in your local TV or radio station for information from the Emergency Alert System – Listen for instructions from local authorities

Get Informed National Incident Management System (NIMS) – Incident Command System (ICS)

Get Prepared Planning for a disaster - Make a family disaster plan - Create a family disaster supplies kit

Get Prepared Disaster plan checklist – Escape routes – Special needs – Family communications – Safety skills – Utility shut-off and safety – Pet care – Insurance and vital records

Get Prepared Escape routes • Establish escape routes – From your home – From your neighborhood – From your city • Designate two meeting places – One for directly outside your home – Another for outside the neighborhood • Practice, practice!

Get Prepared Family communication – Make a communication plan • Decide how you will make contact • Plan for different situations – Complete contact cards • Blank cards are located in the booklet • Keep a card with you at all times – ICE phone numbers • Add an entry in the contacts list of your cell phone labeled ICE (in case of emergency)

Get Prepared Utility services – Unexpected loss of utilities • A disaster may result in the loss of electricity, gas and/or water • Store flashlights and extra batteries in your disaster supplies kit – Utility shut-off and safety • • Know where utility switches and valves are located Learn how to turn off utility services to the home Ask your utility company for shut-off procedures Never turn gas service back on by yourself

Get Prepared Insurance and vital records – Make copies of personal records • Prescription medications • Insurance policies • Driver’s license • Bank account information • Credit card information • Financial records • Inventory of home possessions • Pictures of inventory • Small amount of cash • Travelers checks – Make 2 copies and keep 1 off site (safe deposit box or a family member) (or scan materials onto a thumb drive)

Get Prepared Special needs – – People with physical or mental disabilities People with medical conditions Elderly Infants and toddlers Special assistance programs – Special needs registry – Call your local emergency management office for additional information www. prepare. org/disabilities. htm

Get Prepared Learn safety skills – Basic first aid – How to use a fire extinguisher – CPR http: //www. redcross. org/services/hss/courses

Get Prepared Pet care – Decide where your pet will go in an emergency • Hotel/motel pet policies • Out-of-town friends • Pet-boarding facilities – Prepare an emergency pet supplies kit • • Vaccination records Pet medications Cat litter and box Paper towels, plastic bags and bleach to handle pet waste www. americanhumane. org/

Get prepared Build a disaster supplies kit - Water - Food - Clean air items - Extra clothing and bedding - First aid kit - Emergency equipment - Special needs items

Get Prepared Disaster supplies kit Water • Bottled water and water purification tablets • Each person requires 1 gallon per day • Pack enough water to last for 3 -7 days Food • • Nonperishable foods that you know your family will eat Enough food to last for 7 -10 days Hand-operated can opener Disposable eating utensils www. umext. maine. edu/emergency/9006. htm www. ready. gov/index. html

Get Prepared Clean air items • Nose and mouth protection masks (N-95 Rating) • Plastic sheeting (pre-cut for doors, windows and air vents) • Duct tape • Scissors Extra clothing/bedding • 1 complete change of clothes person • 1 pair of sturdy shoes person • 1 blanket or sleeping bag person

Get Prepared First aid kit Two pairs of sterile gloves Sterile gauze Soap Antibiotic towelettes Prescription medications Antibiotic ointment Prescribed medical supplies Aspirin Scissors Adhesive cloth tape Burn ointment Thermometer Adhesive bandages

Get Prepared Survival items Battery-powered radio Whistle Battery-powered flashlights Shovel Extra batteries Basic tools Antibacterial wipes State map Garbage bags and twist ties Toilet paper Extra set of car keys and house keys Tools Axe

Get Prepared Special needs items Infants, toddlers and youth – – – – Ready-to-drink formula Diapers Bottles Powered milk Baby wipes Diaper rash ointment Age-appropriate activities (games, puzzles, books) Snacks

Get Prepared Elderly, disabled and medically challenged – – – Prescription medication Medical supplies (syringes, glucose kit, cold pack…. ) Eye glasses, contacts and solution Lightweight portable wheelchair Cane and/or walker Appropriate food for special dietary needs

Get Prepared Evacuate • Listen to public health officials • Evacuate immediately if directed by officials • Use common sense • Call 2 -1 -1 for additional evacuation routes & information • Grab your disaster kit • Wear long pants and sturdy shoes • Use routes specified by the authorities • Pets need to evacuate as well

Get Prepared Shelter-in-place – Taking protection in your home, place of employment, school, or other location when disaster occurs • • Different types of disasters required different action Listen to officials for instructions Use common sense Be prepared for loss of utility services http: //www. disastereducation. org/library/public_2004/Evacuation_Shelteri ng. pdf

Get Involved Help make your community safe Recognize and report suspicious activity – A person showing unusual interest in utilities or government buildings – Abandoned packages – Strangers loitering in the neighborhood or near school property – An unidentified person tampering with electrical, gas or sewer systems www. texashomelandsecurity. com https: //tips. fbi. gov

Get Involved Volunteer your time and special skills to support emergency management efforts. Call your local emergency management office or local county judge to inquire about volunteer opportunities in your area. Get trained and involved before the disaster • Protect Texas Volunteers – health care plus coordination http: //www. dshs. state. tx. us/comprep/protect/default. shtm

Special Issues Food safety ABCD’s of keeping food safe in an emergency/disaster • Always keep meat, poultry, fish and eggs refrigerated at or below 40 degrees • Be prepared for a disaster by keeping foods that need no refrigeration • Consider how you can store food safely in an emergency • Digital, dial or instant-read food thermometers should be kept in your refrigerator at all times www. fsis. usda. gov/Fact_Sheets

Special Issues Discussing disaster with children – – – – Children know more than you think Reassure them Be available Say how you feel Recognize their fears Be aware of other emotions Find emotional outlets Help them take action www. ces. purdue. edu/terrorism/children/index. htm

Special Issues Wastewater treatment systems – Protect public health – Failure can make people and animals sick, harm the environment – Residential on-site systems are the homeowners’ responsibility – Municipal treatment systems can also be affected by disaster – Main problems: electrical outages and floods

Special Issues Disaster response for septic system owners • Electrical outage – Limit water usage – Stop all water usage if electrical outage is extended or the plumbing begins to drain slowly • Flooding – – – Before a flood, turn off power to electrical components Do not use water until flood waters have receded Plug the floor drains in your home to prevent backups After a flood, check the system for damage Do not pump tanks empty or below normal levels

Special Issues Farmstead disaster preparedness Farmers and ranchers should consider • Safety of family, workers and emergency personnel • Protection for crops and livestock • Equipment, agricultural chemicals, water supplies, food stores for animals • Steps to take before, during and after a disaster

Special Issues Make a farmstead disaster plan – Establish escape routes for livestock – Plan for providing food and water to relocated livestock – Know how to turn off electrical power to machines – Plan for how to move hay, machinery and chemicals out of flood-prone areas

Special Issues Before a disaster • Attach ID tags to all livestock • Take inventory: – Livestock – Machinery and equipment – Pesticides, fertilizers, fuels, medicines and other chemicals

Special Issues Farmstead disaster supplies – – – – Sandbags and plastic sheeting Wire and rope Lumber and plywood Extra fuel Hand tools Fire extinguishers Livestock feed Gas-powered generator

Special Issues During a disaster Livestock Drive large animals out of flooded barns Provide food and water Property Move hay, machinery and chemicals out of flood-prone areas Secure loose items Utilities If floods are expected, turn off power to machines and barns

Special Issues Farmstead disaster recovery – Check utilities – Care for the animals – Take inventory – Farm disaster assistance

Preparing for the Unexpected Keep your family and community safe Make an effort – Get informed – Get prepared – Get involved Take Action – Make your plan – Build your disaster supplies kit