Transcript Terrorism Preparation

How To Be Prepared For A
Terrorism Disaster
What to Expect in a Disaster
 Casualties and/or damage to buildings and
utilities
 Heavy law enforcement involvement
 Hospitals and health resources overwhelmed
 Extensive media coverage-people will be
fearful and stressed (panic)
 Workplaces and schools may be closed
 Restrictions on travel
 May be asked to evacuate or shelter-in-place.
What Can You Do?
• Find Out What Can Happen in Your Area.
– Do you live near a nuclear or chemical plant?
– Talk to your family about what can happen
• Create an Emergency Communications Plan
– Choose an out of town contact
– Everyone in your family has the number
– School and work should have the number
What Can You Do?
Establish a Meeting Place
• Make arrangements to stay with a friend or
other family member
• Make arrangements for your pets
– shelters don’t take pets
– some hotels don’t take pets
What Can You Do?
Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit
You may be asked to evacuate or shelter-inplace
• Have essential supplies on hand
– They should fit in a duffel bag or small plastic
trash can
– These supplies will make you and your family
more comfortable
Disaster Supply Kit
• “Special Needs” items-(formula for baby)
• First aid supplies and prescription
medications
• A change of clothing for each person
• A sleeping bag or bedroll
• A battery powered radio or TV & Batteries
• Food and bottled water
• Tools
• Cash & copies of important papers
What Can You Do?
• Keep Copies of Essential Documents in a
Safety Deposit Box or with out of town
contact
– Powers of Attorney, Birth & Marriage License
– Life insurance policies
• Check on the School Emergency Plan
– Will students be kept at school or sent home?
– What authorization will be needed to pick up my
children?
– Does school have my current emergency info?
– School phones will be overwhelmed
What To Do If Disaster Strikes
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Remain calm and patient
Follow instructions from local officials
Listen to radio/TV for news & instructions
Check for injuries, give first aid, get professional
help for people with serious injuries
• Use flashlight & check home for damage
• Do not light matches or candles or turn on
electrical switches
• Check for hazards. Sniff for gas leaks. Start at the
water heater
More of
What To Do If Disaster Strikes
• If you smell or suspect a gas leak
– turn off the main valve, open windows, get
everyone out of the house
• Shut off other damaged utilities
• Confine or secure your pets
• Call your family contact-don’t make other
calls unless it is life threatening emergency
• Check on your neighbors-especially elderly
or disabled
Evacuation
If you are asked to leave your home:
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and
sturdy shoes
• Take your disaster supply kit
• Take your pets with you
• Lock your home
• Use the approved travel routes-shortcuts
could be dangerous
• Stay away from downed power lines
Evacuation continued
If you have time:
• Call your family contact
• Shut off electricity & water (if told to do so)
• Leave natural gas on unless told to shut it
off
– If the gas is off it may take a long time to get it back on
after you return home. A professional has to do this and
it may take a long time until they get to your home.
Shelter-in-Place
You may be asked to shelter-in-place which means to stay inside
your home or workplace and protect yourself there
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Close and lock windows and exterior doors
Turn off fans, heating & air conditioning units
Close the fireplace damper
Get your disaster supplies kit and check your radio
Go to an interior room without windows. Stay out of basements,
some chemicals seek out low places
• If advised by authorities, use duct tape to seal vents and around
doors
• Listen to the radio/TV and be prepared to evacuate if ordered to
do so
Summary
• Being prepared by following the steps listed in
this presentation can help you and your family
during and after a disaster.
• Notice that many of the things you do to prepare
for a terrorism disaster are the same things you
should do for other types of disasters.
• For more information on disaster preparedness and
to request a brochure on how to develop a disaster
supplies kit, contact the American Red Cross.
Visit their website at www.redcross.org