APPENDIX H

Emergency Preparedness Information

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - 72-hour Emergency Kit

EMERGENCY 72-hour SURVIVAL KIT – Additional Ideas

Emergency Communications Administrative Support Kit

Family Emergency Plan

What is NOAA Weather Radio?

NOAA Weather Radio

 

 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - 72-hour Emergency Kit

 

The words of wisdom, that we have learned following the recent Northridge and Kobe earthquakes, are that it is very wise to prepare-- ahead of time. All of the members of the Clark County ARES/RACES group have had some classroom advice from some experts on what to do, and how to prepare. It is evident that following any large-scale emergency, you may be without power, water and other utilities for an extended period of time. The best advice is: Prepare to fend for yourself and your family for at least 72 hours. Develop a family emergency Preparedness Plan. Discuss the types of emergency situations that we may expect in our area. Ask an out-of-state friend or relative to be your "contact person" to call other friends and relatives... it is often easier for someone outside the area to call long distance following a disaster. Pick two places for the family to meet if separated following a disaster. Stock emergency supplies, and assemble a disaster supplies kit.

 

This 72-Hour Kit, as we have described it, should include:

WATER:

(1 Gallon per person, per day) stored in mylar containers, or in durable plastic containers—never old milk jugs).

 

FOOD:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, soups, powdered or canned milk. Stress foods - sugar cookies, or candy. Staples - sugar, salt, pepper. Juices, smoked or dried meats, such as jerky. Vitamins, and high-energy foods, such as peanut butter, nuts, trail mix, etc.

 

NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:

Aspirin, antacids, laxatives, rubbing alcohol, antiseptics, etc.

 

FIRST AID KIT:

YOU SHOULD HAVE TWO... one at home, and one for the car. Include prescription medication that you or the family need.

 

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES:

Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils

Battery operated radio with extra batteries

Cash, change, travelers' checks

Fire extinguisher, small canister, ABC type

Screw drivers – Straight-edge and Phillips

Pliers

Compass

Aluminum foil, extra Zip-loc baggies

Candles, matches in a waterproof container

Flashlights and extra batteries

Non-electric can opener.

Tube tent

Tape – Electrical and duct

Plastic storage containers

Paper, pencils

Whistle

Maps, etc.

 

SANITATION:

Toilet paper, towelettes

Feminine supplies

Plastic garbage bags, ties

Soap, liquid detergent

Small shovel to dig expedient latrine

Household chlorine bleach

Plastic bucket with tight lid

Disinfectant

 

CLOTHING AND BEDDING:

Include at least one change of clothing and footwear for each family member.

Sturdy work shoes or boots

Sleeping bags or blankets

Thermal underwear

Rain Gear

Hat and gloves

Sunglasses

 

SPECIAL ITEMS:

Remember family members with special needs such as infants, elderly or disabled.

Prescription drugs, medication

Denture needs

Extra eyeglasses

 

The most important thing is... START NOW to assemble a 72-hour Emergency Kit.

Don't try and get it all done in one week, or even one month. Start now with the WATER, and then add a little each month. You are a leader in emergency preparation and can set an excellent example... and of course, get your radio, batteries, back-up power supplies, antennas and coax fittings ready to go. A small kit with coax fittings, jumper cables and extra stuff for the ham radio is important. Keep batteries charged and handy.

 

ARES/RACES

EMERGENCY 72-hour SURVIVAL KIT – Additional Ideas

 You may add items to suit your own personal needs such as medications, compass, radio, etc. - also, extra water, food, light sticks, batteries, etc.

 

 

ARES/RACES

Emergency Communications Administrative Support Kit

Qty     Description

1 ea     Storage Container – Sterilite 20 Qt. Model 1710

1 ea     ARES/RACES Communications Manual (See Table of Contents in Manual)

1 kit     Signage Kit (Supplied by ARES/RACES)

1 ea     Power Cord, 8 to 10 ft., Three-wire Grounded, 16/3, Three Outlet

1 ea     Flashlight, AA cell

18 ea     Batteries, AA Size, Alkaline (Store 6 ea in each of 3 Q-Tip boxes)

1 ea     FRS Radio, Handheld (Speaker-mike optional)

1 ea     Camera, 35mm One-time-use w/flash, Fujifilm (Document your mission)

1 roll     Masking Tape, ¾”

1 roll     Duct Tape, 2”

1 ea     Clipboard, for 8 ½” x 11” Pad

2 ea     Legal Pad, 8 ½” x 11”, yellow

1 pkg     Paper, 8 ½” x 11”, Yellow, for printer

1 pkg     Message Forms, ICS-213

1 ea       Flash or Thumb drive

2 ea     Floppy Disk

1 lot     “Sticky Notes”, Assorted Sizes

1 lot     Rubber Bands, Assorted

1 ea     Pencil Box,  Contents:

            1 box    Paper Clip, Standard

            12 ea Binder Clip, Small, Office Max #OM-210

            3 ea Pen, Ballpoint, Black, BIC #20119

            3 ea Pencil, #2

            1 ea Pencil Sharpener

            1 ea Ruler, 6”

            1 ea Marker, Permanent, Black

            1 ea Glue Stick

1 ea Screwdriver, Combination

1 ea Mini Stapler – Swingline Tot Model #79153 or equivalent

1 roll Scotch Tape, ¾”

1 pkg Towelettes, Moist, Anti-bacterial

1 box Tissue

24 ea Tie-wraps, 8”


 

ARES/RACES

Family Emergency Plan

 

Overview

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services—water, gas, electricity, or telephones—were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.

 

   A. Four Steps to safety

  1. Find out what could happen to you
  2. Contact your local Red Cross chapter or emergency office—be prepared to take notes.
  3. Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on how to prepare for each.
  4. Learn about your community’s warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
  5. Ask about animal care after a disaster. Animals are not allowed inside emergency shelters because of health regulations. Does your jurisdiction have alternate arrangements for pets?
  6. Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
  7. Find out a out the disaster plans at your workplace, your children’s school or day care center, and other places where your family spends time.

 

    B. Create an Emergency Plan

  1. Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
  2.  Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
  3. Pick two places to meet:

a. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.

b. Outside your neighborhood if you can’t return home. Everyone must know the address and telephone number.

c. Ask an out-of-state friend to be your “family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact’s telephone number.

d. Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.

 

    C. Complete this checklist

  1. Post emergency telephone numbers by telephones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
  2. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
  3. Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
  4. Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
  5. Get training from the fire department for each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it’s kept.
  6. Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
  7. Conduct a home hazard hunt.
  8. Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
  9. Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
  10. Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
  11. Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster.

 

D. Practice and maintain your plans

  1. Quiz your kids every six months.
  2. Conduct fire and emergency evacuation.
  3. Replace stored water every six months and stored food every six months.
  4. Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions.
  5. Test your smoke detectors monthly and charge the batteries at least once a year.

 

    E. Neighbors helping neighbors

Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you're a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity. Know your neighbors' special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for childcare in case parents can't get home.

 

    F. Home hazard hunt

During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a home hazard. For example, a hot water heater or a bookshelf can fall. Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards. Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards

 

    G. Evacuation

1. Immediately:

a. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.

b. Listen to your battery-powered radio and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.

c. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.

d. Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.

e. Lock your home.

f. Use travel routes specified by local authorities—don’t use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.

2. If you’re sure you have time:

a. Shut off water, gas, and electricity before leaving, if instructed to do so.

b. Make arrangements for your pets.

 

    H. Emergency Supplies

  1. Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as back-packs, duffel bags, or covered trash containers.

Include:

a. A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil.

b. One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.

c. A first aid kit that includes your family’s prescription medications.

d. Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.

e. An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler’s checks.

f. Sanitation supplies.

g. Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

h. An extra pair of glasses.

i.  Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car.

    I. Utilities

  1. Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main, and natural gas main. Learn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
  2. Remember - turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on.

    J. If disaster strikes

Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.

              1. Check for injuries

a. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.

2.     Listen to your battery-powered radio for news and instructions.

a. Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.

b. Check for damage in your home…

3.     Remember to…

a. Confine or secure your pets.

b. Call your family contact—do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

c. Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled person.

d. Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.

e. Stay away from downed power lines.

 

    K. General disaster preparedness information

      1. Family Preparedness

a. “Your Family Disaster Plan” (ARC 4466)

b. “Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit” (ARC 4463)

              2. Children’s Preparedness Materials

a. “Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book” (ARC 2200, English, or ARC 2200S, Spanish) for children ages 3-10.

b. “Adventures of the Disaster Dudes” (ARC 5024) video and Presenter’s Guide for use by an adult with children in grades 4-6.

               3. Community Preparedness

a. To get copies of American Red Cross community disaster education materials, contact your local Red Cross chapter


 

What is NOAA Weather Radio?

NOAA Weather Radio is a service of the National Weather Service.

 

NOAA Weather Radio is the voice of the National Weather Service, broadcasting the latest area weather forecasts and conditions 24 hours a day. It is an “all-hazards” warning system, used not only for immediate flood and weather related events, but also hazards like tsunamis, volcanic activity, hazardous releases, AMBER Child Abduction Alerts, and secondary hazards from terrorism and earthquakes.

Under a 1975, White House policy statement, NOAA Weather Radio was designated the sole government operated radio system to provide warning information direct to the American people for both natural and technological hazards. NOAA Weather Radio is the perfect complement to local broadcast weather news, as well as the Internet and other weather information sources.

 

Features of NOAA Weather Radio

Weather Radio has a warning alarm feature, instantly alerting the listener to fast-breaking warning messages around the clock. The warning alarm operates in a muted mode and is activated by your local National Weather Service offices when a warning message is transmitted. Some models activate flashing warning lights and bed vibrators for the hearing impaired. Local emergency management organizations can use NOAA Weather Radio to activate the EAS (Emergency Alert System) in local emergencies using Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) technology. NOAA Weather Radio monitors other authorized EAS sources and automatically retransmits their emergency messages. NOAA Weather Radio and EAS capabilities help protect lives and property. NOAA Weather Radios use battery backups in case of power outages.

NOAA Weather Radios are portable. They can be used at home, at work, in school, while traveling or boating, while camping, hiking or at play.

 

 

NOAA Weather Radio

Weather Radio Warning alarm activation occurs for the following immediate events: