Emergency Preparedness Is Not Just About Terrorism

By Jan Howard

Preparing for the unexpected is not just about terrorism, according to a Red Cross program that suggests ways for individuals, schools, and businesses to prepare for emergencies.

“There are all kinds of disasters, not just terrorism,” Natalie Dos Santos, director of health and safety services for the American Red Cross, told participants at a program February 26 at the C.H. Booth Library.

The course offers recommendations on how to plan for emergencies — natural disasters as well as manmade accidents, such as fires, hurricanes, tornados, floods, and accidents as well as possible terrorist attacks.

Participants were told how to make a family emergency plan as well as an emergency kit.

 “Our purpose is to help you prepare for any type of disaster and to help you to respond to directions from authorities and workplace officials,” Ms Dos Santos said.

“The bigger the disaster, the harder it is to handle,” she said. “Having a plan eliminates stress.”

Ms Dos Santos explained what to do in creating a personal disaster plan. It includes establishing a communication plan and a meeting place and assembling a disaster supplies kit.

“The communication plan should include a contact person out of town and away from the area of the disaster,” she said.

Each family member should know the contact person’s address, telephone number, and email address. “That way everyone can check in so you can know everybody’s safe,” she said.

She cautioned that phone lines would be busy during an emergency so everyone should have other means of communication, such as email and cell phones. “Do the plan as a family so everybody will be comfortable with it.”

Any emergency plan should include pets because pets cannot go to shelters, Ms Dos Santos noted. “You should have a plan in place for what to do with pets. Check out pet-friendly hotels in case you have to evacuate.”

Families should establish a meeting place outside the home in case of a house fire and a meeting place away from the home in case of evacuation. The meeting place should be easy to get to with plenty of parking and not be part of the disaster area.

A disaster supplies kit should contain enough supplies to meet needs for at least three days, for use at home or in case of evacuation. The supplies should be stored in sturdy containers, such as backpacks, duffle bags, or covered trash containers.

Among supplies the kit should contain are food that is easy to prepare, such as cereal, crackers, soy milk, and soup, first aid kit, paper towels, snacks, a disaster whistle, juice boxes, medications, diapers, toys, books, utensils, toilet paper, some money, including change, batteries, portable radio, three gallons of water per person, blanket, personal items, needs of senior citizens, a first aid reference book, and copies of important documents.

Also readily available should be changes of clothing, sleeping bags, and simple tools.

Perishable and dated items should be checked twice a year, the same time that smoke detector batteries are checked, Ms Dos Santos said. Water should also be replenished because it does expire, she added.

“The kit should be readily accessible,” she said.

Also, think about how heavy the disaster kit is. Lighten it up by having kits for children. Keep those kits up to date, she noted.

A battery-operated radio is a must for information during an emergency. “Follow what they say,” she said. “There are reasons why they tell you what they do.

“If a disaster strikes, follow the advice of local officials,” Ms Dos Santos said.

Schools are required to have a disaster plan about what to do if there is an evacuation or shelter in place. Ms Dos Santos said parents should keep contact information current and know what authorizations are required to release a child.

“Know your workplace’s disaster plan,” she said. This should include the chain of command, notification methods, safe locations, instructions about leaving, and fire drills. Businesses need to take steps in case of emergencies and to train people in response to the emergency.

All communities are looking into disaster plans or updating an existing plan and how to notify people, Ms Dos Santos said.

In case of emergency, check on elderly or homebound neighbors, she said.

When advised to take shelter in place, close and lock all windows and doors. Turn off all fans and air conditioning systems, the furnace, and close the fireplace damper. Put the disaster supplies kit in an interior room that has no windows. Seal all cracks around doors and vents, and listen to the radio.

If an evacuation is required, follow local emergency instructions, she said. Wear appropriate clothing. Take the emergency kit, lock your home, and use approved travel routes. Call your family contact person.

Do not turn off utilities unless local officials have told you to do so or you suspect a gas leak, she said.

Ms Dos Santos also discussed caring for injuries. “Make sure it is safe to help. Check for loose wires or fire. You don’t want to be a victim, too.” Check if the person is conscious, and call 911, she said, if the person is unconscious and if there is severe bleeding, seizures, trouble breathing, chest pain, burns, injury to the head, or broken bones.

“Use basic safety practices. Avoid direct contact with blood or body fluids. Use gloves,” she said. If gloves are not available, use plastic bags, towels, or sheets. Make sure there is something between you and the blood.”

To control bleeding, cover the wound and use direct pressure. Elevate the wound above the heart. Cover the dressing. Care for shock by maintaining the person’s body temperature. Do not give any food or drink.

In caring for burns, first stop the burning by drop and roll, cool the burn with water, and cover. For care of muscle, bone, and joint injuries, only move the person if they are in danger. Ms Dos Santos said to immobilize a broken bone, use a towel, pillow, or magazine.

For pamphlets and information on preparing an emergency plan and a disaster supplies kit, contact the Red Cross in Danbury at 792-8200. Information is also available on the Internet at CDC.gov and RedCross.org.