Pandemic Flu Preparedness Information
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General Preparedness Information
Prepare for
Hazards
Protect your
Family
Disaster Preparedness (American Red
Cross)
Plan Ahead (FEMA)
More
Flooding Resources
Floodwater Diseases
Flooding and Mold
Tetanus Fact Sheet
The ABC’s of Flood Safety- Flooding
Information Poster
Locations to Purchase Rubber
Boots
EPA – Emergency Disinfect
Drinking Water
Traumatic Events
Managing Anxiety-
Emergency Mental Health & Traumatic
Stress -
The Long-term Impact of a Traumatic Event -
Maintaining a Healthy State of Mind (Red
Cross)
Printed materials
Behaviorial Health Disaster
Response Team Brochure [PDF]Are You Ready?: In-depth Guide to Citizen
Preparedness (FEMA) [Web] [PDF]CItizens’ Preparedness Guidebook [PDF]
Citizen Preparedness Publications (Citizen
Corps)
Disaster Education Materials (American Red
Cross)
Photos
Training/classes
What
is an emergency and how can I be prepared?An emergency – be it a natural
disaster such as a flood or winter storm, a power outage or a terrorist act
— can occur quickly and without warning.Two actions that you can take to
become better prepared to protect yourself and your family are to develop an
emergency plan and prepare a portable cache of emergency supplies that can
be used at home or at work.Emergencies may strike when you and
your family members are away from home, so learn about plans at your
workplace, or anywhere else you and your family spend time.Contact your utility company if anyone
in your household uses life-sustaining equipment such as a kidney dialysis
machine or respirator. Your utility can advise you on how to prepare for
power outages.
How can I develop an emergency plan for my family?To create a household emergency plan,
do the following:
- Meet
with your family members and discuss the dangers of possible emergency
events including fire, severe weather, hazardous spills, and terrorism.
Discuss how you and your family will respond to each possible emergency.
Know how to contact all family members at all times. Think 24/7 and 365.
- Draw
a floor plan of your home. If possible, mark two escape routes from each
room.
Select two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency
such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot
return home (a real possibility during the day when most adults are at
work and children are at school).
Identify an out-of-town friend or relative as your “emergency family
check-in contact” for everyone to call if the family gets separated.
Make sure all family members have the correct phone number. It is often
easier to call out-of-town during an emergency than within the affected
area.- Post
emergency contact numbers near all telephones. Include local police,
fire and health departments, poison control, your children’s schools,
doctors, child/senior care providers and insurance agents.
- Have
your family learn basic safety and first aid measures.- Keep
family records in a waterproof and fireproof safe.- Have
emergency supplies on hand.- Teach adults how
to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches. If for any
reason you do turn off natural gas service to your home, call your
natural gas utility to restore service.
DO NOT
attempt to restore gas service yourself.- Make
arrangements for your pets. Most shelters do not allow pets. Prior to an
emergency, contact your county or local emergency management office and
ask them where you could leave your pet. Have ID, collar, leash and
proof of vaccination for all pets. Have current photos of your pets in
case they get lost.
What type of
emergency supplies will I need?Often during an emergency,
electricity, water, heat, air conditioning or telephone services may not
work. Be prepared to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe
longer. Use the checklist below to help you prepare for what you and your
family will need.Consider two kits. In one put
everything you will need to stay where you are. The other should be a
lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to evacuate.
Food and Water
Bottled Water – one gallon per person per day.
Ready-to-eat canned foods – vegetables, fruits, beans, meat, fish,
poultry, pasta, soup, juice.- Milk
– powdered, canned or shelf-stable brick pack.- High
energy foods- peanut butter, jelly, nuts, dried meats (for example,
jerky), granola, trail mix.
Staples – sugar, salt, pepper, instant coffee, tea bags, cocoa.
Instant and small children’s needs – baby food, formula, disposable
diapers.
Specialty food – for elderly or people on special diets.
- Pet
food (if needed).
Health and Hygiene Supplies
Prescription medication – at least one week’s supply.
First aid kit.
Premoistened hand wipes – premoistened towlettes or baby wipes.
Disinfectant no-rinse hand soap.
Toiletries.- A
list of family physicians, important medical information, and the
style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.
Personal Supplies
- A
change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes for each family
member.
Sleeping bags, bedding or blankets for each family member.
- An
extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and solution (be sure to
check the expiration dates).
Identification, credit cards/travelers checks/cash, and photocopies
of important family documents including home insurance information.
Household Supplies and Equipment
- One
gallon liquid chlorine bleach.
Battery-powered radio or TV.
Flashlights.
Extra fresh batteries for radio, TV and flashlights.
Manual can opener.
Plastic bags – zip sealing, garbage.- Fire
extinguisher (small canister A-B-C type).Related Links:
- National Weather Service
www.nws.noaa.gov
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
www.fema.gov
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov
- American Red Cross
www.redcross.org