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2 2.
Take actions to mitigate
your vulnerability where feasible (non-structural/structural seismic measures,
elevation above the flood zone, smoke detectors, removing fire fuels from around
your home, etc.) Many measures are
both easy and affordable, and most importantly are effective in reducing
your risk! Consult local
professionals and peers for information and advice. 3.
Have a family
plan. No one can
effectively continue to work if they are worried about family members during and
after a disaster. Do you know that
everyone in your family knows what to do in an emergency?
Will they be safe? How do you get in touch with each other if you are separated
after an emergency or disaster? Establish
an assembly point in your neighborhood - in the event of a fire evacuation, for
example, where you can assemble and ensure that everyone is accounted for.
Designate a meeting place in the community the community in case you are
unable to return to your neighborhood. 4.
Know
what plans yours schools, employers, etc. have for emergencies and disasters.
Are there evacuation plans? Are
there emergency provisions for you? Will
children be safely sheltered until parents can pick them up?
Will parents be notified? Would
your employer and community need you to come to work in an emergency?
If so, and if there was no telephone communications, do you know how to
check in or where to report? If you
can't get to your normal workplace, where are you expected to go? (Some professions tell their employees to report to the
nearest plant or like-professional facility -- even if not their employer, for
example, if they cannot make it to their normal worksite.) 5.
Know
what to do ... and what NOT to do when disaster occurs, such as take
immediate cover and protect your head and neck (“Drop, Cover, Hold” is
taught in the U.S., for example) when earthquake shaking starts and until it
stops, then carefully pick your way outside; don't drive or walk through flood
waters; “Stop, Drop and Roll” if your clothing catches fire, etc.
Make sure every member of your family knows what to do and what not to
do. 6.
PRACTICE #5.
Everyone. Everyone at work,
at home, at school. Physically
going through the motions of a fire evacuation, or what to do in an earthquake,
as examples, will imprint them into your memory and help you remember what to do
when you are under even the worst stress and frightened. The risk of not practicing is that you will not do the right
thing when you need to. Instinct
may take over and may not be the best action, and you could suffer or die as a
result. Practice emergency response
skills such as first aid and CPR to keep them current and correct. 7.
Assemble an emergency
supply kit for all family members and pets to keep you properly warm,
dry, protected, nourished, hydrated and medicated/first aid treated for at least
3 days. Store supplies in a container that keeps them dry and
protected from rodents or bugs and that is portable should you need to take it
with you in an evacuation situation. Place your emergency supply kit where you
can readily get to it (I keep mine in my car all the time -- it serves as my
travel/home/and office emergency preparedness kit along with all my search and
rescue gear). - i.e., not in the weakest point in a structure in an earthquake
zone or buried beneath a pile of other closet items. 8. Have an emergency
supply kit or supplies in each car.
You never know when you might need it if you get stuck, run out of gas,
or encounter another person in trouble. I
also keep a backpack in my car that I can stock from the emergency preparedness
kit for hikes, skiing, snowmobiling, or search and rescue missions.
For emergency response professionals, you may wish to keep supplies for
your work in a ready kit too. 9.
Keep
your kit(s) current; checking any expiration dates annually (fall is
a good time, follow the example of nature that readies itself for winter), and
restocking when you use supplies. Check for any damage from mice or bugs. 10. Relax. Enjoy each and every day to the fullest with the confidence that you know your risks, know what to do in an emergency, have mitigated against damage and injury, are prepared with basic supplies if you need to be. A special
thanks to Peggy Peirson who provided this page and information to 1580 KGAL and
920 KSHO. |
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Content by: Peggy Peirson Benton County Emergency Services Coordinator Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Division Page hosted and designed by... Willhight Programming and Web Services (C) 2005 Willhight Programming and Web Services |
