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Around Apex Hazard Mitigation - Emergency Responses

• General Response
• Preparedness and Action Plans
  • Earthquake
  • Fire
  • Flood
  • Hazardous Materials Incident
  • Hurricane
  • Lightning
  • Tornado/Downbursts
  • Wildland Fire
  • Winter Storm

General Response

Evacuate If You Are Directed To Do So By The Authorities

Listen to your local radio/TV station or Emergency Alert System for emergency information/instructions. Evacuate early. Carefully follow instructions and directions to the area shelter opened for the disaster. Go immediately. Do not wait. Bring your disaster supplies kit with you. It should contain personal safety items. You can also bring items for comfort and convenience.

• Check to make sure no one has been injured.
• Listen to local media stations for directions. Avoid using the telephone unless someone needs immediate emergency assistance. (Local authorities need access on phone lines).
• Drive only when necessary. Avoid driving in affected areas.
• Determine if you need to turn off water, electrical, and gas mains. Do so if necessary.
• If water pipes are damaged, turn off main water valves in the home. This prevents water from draining if a water main breaks.
• Be aware of structural damage to the home.

Water is Essential . Store bottled water (1 gallon/person/day). If purification is necessary, listen to the radio for instructions from public health officials

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit

If you are confined to your home or must evacuate as a result of severe weather or disaster, a disaster supplies kit can be useful. Keep it readily accessible for safety, comfort, and convenience. All household members should know where it is stored. Replace food, water, medical supplies, and batteries as needed. Place the items you need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container.

INCLUDE:

For Safety/Survival

• 3 day supply of water (1 gallon/person/day) in clean, marked, plastic containers.
• 3 day supply of non perishable, nutritious food not requiring cooking (peanut butter, canned or dried meats, canned or dried fruits and vegetables, powdered drink mix, powdered or canned milk) eating utensils, manual can opener.
• List of prescription medicines
• Extra eye glasses, other needed eyewear
• Extra car keys
• Baby supplies (formula, diapers)
• Pet food, extra water, any special medication
• Standard first aid kit
• ABC fire extinguisher
• Battery-operated radio, flashlights, plenty of extra batteries
• Tools, rope, wrench, (including gas shut-off wrench), pliers, hammer, nails.

For Comfort

• Change of clothing, sturdy footwear for each person.
• Bedding for each person
• Sanitary supplies (toilet paper, feminine supplies)

For Convenience

• Cash or credit card
• Medical insurance ID numbers
• Out-of-town contact list
• Paper and pencil
• Important family documents
• Reading material

Auto Kit

Assemble a smaller version of disaster supplies kit to be stored in vehicle. Maintain regularly.

• Blanket/sleeping bag
• Flares and or triangles
• Jumper cables
• Shovel
• Rock salt and sand (if applicable)
• Tire repair/replacement supplies
• Map(s)

Develop an Emergency Plan

Meet with family members to develop an emergency plan, and regularly conduct drills to practice your plan.

Become aware of emergency situations that can occur in your area. Contact your local emergency management office, American Red Cross chapter, or Fire Department for information.

• Learn your community's evacuation plan.
• Determine safe rooms to go to if you are NOT told to evacuate.
• Post emergency numbers by the telephone. During an emergency, only use the telephone when someone needs immediate emergency assistance.
• Teach children their address and phone number.
• Note special assistance needed by people with disabilities
• Prepare for family health needs (prescriptions, medical supplies)
• Plan NOT to leave pets behind. Locate a “pet-friendly shelter or location (most emergency shelters for people do not accept pets). Consider care for livestock/farm animals.
• Learn terms used to describe emergency levels (advisory, watch, warning); learn types of emergency signals on air, radio, and TV.
• Learn basic first aid and CPR. Contact local American Red Cross.
• Establish a meeting place in the event of family separation.
• Identify check-in contact that family will call if separated.
• Find out day care/school emergency procedures.

Prepare Your Home for an Emergency

• Have home inspected to ensure compliance with fire and building codes. Repair defective wiring and large cracks in plaster.
• Obtain disaster insurance for home and personal property. Obtain information on the National Flood Insurance Program from an insurance company or your local emergency management office.
• Secure important papers, lists, and photographs of personal property, in a bank safety deposit box.
• Buy ABC fire extinguishers. Keep accessible on each building level. Periodically check functioning.
• Install smoke detectors on each level outside sleeping areas, not in kitchens or bathrooms. Check functioning, and vacuum out dust and dirt once a month. Change batteries yearly.
• Install carbon monoxide detector. Regularly maintain according to manufacturers instructions.
• Buy flashlights/emergency lighting. Avoid candles (fire hazard)
• Make house address/number clearly visible from the street
• Bolt/fasten securely your water heater.
• Locate your home's main water, electrical, and gas shut-offs, and learn how and when to shut them off. Mark with brightly colored stickers or tape.

PREPAREDNESS AND ACTION PLANS

Earthquake

Prepare Now

• Find out earthquake history of area.
• Conduct earthquake drill.
• Be prepared for aftershocks; possible tsunami (coastal areas).
• Place large, heavy, breakable objects on lower shelves.
• Put latches on cabinets.
• Fasten shelves, water heaters, large appliances to wall studs.
• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.
• Repair poor electrical/plumbing connections; large cracks in plaster.
• Install bracing system for mobile homes, awnings.
• Move beds from windows; do not hang pictures, mirrors over beds.
• Keep flashlight, shoes by bed.

Act Now

• Drop, cover and hold on: crouch in safe place (under sturdy table or kneel next to interior wall) cover head until quake stops.
• Inside: stay inside; Outside: stay outside
• Move away from buildings, street lights, utility wires
• Crowded place: do not rush for doorway, take cover.
• High-rise building: stay on same floor, don not use elevator, be prepared for alarm/sprinkler systems to activate.
• Driving: do not stop vehicle under bridges, overpasses, overhead power lines; pull over as soon as possible; stay in vehicle.
• Beware of hanging plants, wall hangings, falling furniture.
• Be prepared for aftershocks.

Fire

Prepare Now

• Know how to respond to different fire types.
• Make ABC extinguishers accessible on every floor (call Fire Dept. for training).
• Install smoke detectors; test once each month; replace batteries at least once each year;
• Identify 2 escape routes from each room.
• Conduct fire drills.
• Make sure windows are not nailed/painted shut.
• Establish outside meeting place; never go back into a burning building.
• Know where flammable materials are in home/garage; properly dispose.
• Regularly inspect/clean chimneys.
• Do not overload electrical outlets.
• Keep folding/ chain-style ladder stored in each upstairs bedroom.
• Make sure address is clearly visible, and fire trucks can reach your home.

Act Now

• Call Fire Dept.
• Warn other occupants/pull fire alarm
• Get out of burning building
• Small fires: use ABC fire extinguisher; baking soda or pan lid for small oil/grease fire.
• Feel door to see if hot before opening, if hot, very low level window may be option for escape. Otherwise, distress cloth.
• If leaving, be prepared to crawl (smoke, heat rise).
• Clothes on fire: Stop, Drop, and Roll.
• Use stairwell not elevator.

Flood

Prepare Now

• Buy weather radio and learn local emergency station.
• Learn if your area is prone to floods.
• Learn meaning of watch – warning.
• Have plywood to cover all windows.
• In flood zone, purchase flood insurance.
• Plan to secure/ evacuate mobile home for adequate shelter.

Act Now

• Listen to designated radio/TV, Emergency Alert System for emergency instructions.
• Stay away from flood water; do not attempt to swim, walk, or drive through.
• Secure/bring in outdoor furniture.
• If instructed, turn off utilities at main switches; unplug appliances (do not touch electrical equipment if wet).
• If deep water, allow to flow freely in basement (may avoid structural damage).
• Do not stack sandbags against outside of house, adds pressure.
• Avoid downed power lines
• Do not drink tap water (may be contaminated).
• Move valuables to upper floors.

Hazardous Materials Incident

Prepare Now

• Identify local media stations used for emergency information.
• Learn hazardous material incident warning signals.
• Know hazardous substances produced, stored or transported in your area.
• Learn shelter-in-place procedures (see Act Now)
• Learn location of ventilation system shut-offs.
• Repair seals around windows, doors, basements.

Act Now

• If early chemical accident witness, call emergency services.
• Listen to designated radio/TV station, emergency broadcast system; follow emergency instructions immediately.
• Bring household members, pets inside.
• Stay far away from site if possible
• Keep body fully covered.
• Avoid eating/drinking anything uncovered.
• Prepare household for possible evacuation.
• Close all exterior and interior doors, and windows.
• IF TOLD TO SHELTER IN-PLACE:
  • Turn off ventilation systems, fans, clothes dryer, heating-air conditioning; if possible close fireplace damper.
  • Close window curtains, shades, blinds.
  • Go to above ground room with fewest windows/doors.
  • Bring disaster supplies kit.
  • Wet down towels, jam in cracks under doors.
  • If possible, tape around doors, windows; block air vents using plastic sheeting/bags.
  • Stay inside until radio announces safety or to evacuate.

Hurricane

Prepare Now

• Buy battery-powered weather radio and learn local emergency station.
• Learn meaning of watch-warning.
• If in flood zone, purchase flood insurance.
• Plan to secure/evacuate mobile home for adequate shelter.
• Install storm shutters; store plywood to cover all windows.
• Remove branches, tall trees that may fall on house.
• Prior to storm season stock extra food, batteries, jug drinking water.

Act Now

• Listen to designated radio/TV, Emergency Alert System for emergency information/instructions.
• Move valuables to upper floors in case of flood.
• Secure/bring in outdoor furniture.
• Close permanent shutters, cover all windows with plywood (taping windows does not prevent breakage).
• If staying :
  • Keep away from windows, doors, outside walls; do not open windows.
  • Bring pets inside.
• If evacuating :
  • Turn off water and electricity at main stations; unplug appliances (Do not touch if wet).
  • Do not leave pet(s) behind; take with you or to a preplanned safe location.
  • Avoid downed wires. Do not try to drive.

Lightning

Prepare Now

• Learn precautionary measures (see Act Now)
• Share information with household members.
• Monitor weather before outdoor activities.
• Have a professional install lightning rods on home.

Act Now

• Stay indoors.
• Avoid plumbing fixtures, appliances.
• Do not use faucets/showers.
• Forest : go to low area under low, thick tree growth.
• Boat: go ashore immediately.
• Open area: go to low area, crouch (do not lie flat)
• Avoid steel reinforced concrete buildings; metal.
• Avoid hilltops, beaches, small structures in open area, open water.
• If hair stands on end (indicator lightning will strike) drop to knees, bend forward, put hands on knees, (do not lie flat).
• Do not congregate with other people, spread out.
• Do not use phone or electrical equipment.
• Car: try to stay in car until storm passes.

Tornado/Downbursts

Prepare Now

• Buy battery-powered weather radio and learn local emergency station.
• Learn what tornado conditions look like.
• Learn meaning of watch-warning.
• Identify shelter room (basement, storm cellar, interior room).
• Plan to secure/evacuate mobile home for adequate shelter.
• Know shelter locations in places you spend time.
• Remove branches, tall trees that may fall on house.

Act Now

• Report revolving funnel-shaped clouds to authorities.
• Listen to radio for weather alerts/emergency instructions.
• See shelter immediately in basement or interior room on lower level; take position under sturdy table.
• Stay away from windows, doors, outside walls; do not open windows.
• If not sheltered, lie flat in ditch with hands covering head.
• Avoid buildings with wide span roofs.
• If in vehicle, get out seek shelter in ditch.

Wildland Fire

Prepare Now

• Find out if your area is prone to wildland fire.
• Make ABC fire extinguishers accessible on every floor (call Fire Dept for training).
• Develop cooperative plan with neighbors.
• Make sure address is clearly visible; fire trucks can reach your home.
• Use fire resistant/retardant materials.
• Clear vegetation/branches within 100 feet of building.

Act Now

• Listen to designated radio/TV, Emergency Alert System for emergency information/instructions.
• Park car in open space facing evacuation route; have keys accessible.
• Shut windows, doors in home.
• Wear long sleeves, pants, wet handkerchief for face.
• Close vents, door, seal attic, ground vents with plywood.
• Shut off gas at main; turn off pilot lights, propane tanks.
• Open fireplace damper; close fireplace screens.
• Move flammable furniture to center of home.
• Wet shrubs within 15 feet of home.
• If leaving, tell someone where you are going.

Winter Storm

Prepare Now

• Learn meaning of watch-warning.
• Have appropriate cold weather clothing.
• Have rock salt and sand for traction in ice.
• Equip vehicle with all season/snow tires; fill gas tank.
• Keep emergency auto kit readily accessible.
• Maintain sufficient heating fuel.
• Make sure heating systems/fireplaces function properly.
• Buy emergency heating equipment designed for indoor use.
• Winterize home.
• Stock extra food, jug drinking water.

Act Now

• Stay indoors until storm ends.
• Listen to radio/TV, Emergency Alert System for emergency information/instructions.
• Do not over-exert if shoveling snow.
• Wear warm, loose fitting, layered, light-weight, dry clothing.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Do not use charcoal or gas grills to cook/heat indoors (carbon monoxide hazard).
• If in vehicle:
  • Stay on main roads.
  • If necessary, pull off road, stay with vehicle, use hazard signals, bright distress flag.
  • If trapped in blizzard, clear tail pipe, run engine/heater 10 min each hour; open window slightly; maintain body heat (use map, seat cover, floor mat for insulation). Night: keep dome light on so work crews can see vehicle.