Emergency Preparedness Plan

Transcription

1 Emergency Preparedness Plan If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear (D & C 38:30) Contents It is extremely difficult to determine every possible reason to be prepared for an emergency. One need only take a look around our volatile planet to sample some of the many disasters of our timeearthquakes, hurricanes, floods, severe storms and even tidal waves. But in the spirit of optimism, the more likely reasons to be prepared may be the least obvious. We never know when unplanned interruptions of life may befall us, such as the unexpected loss of income due to layoff or injury. At Shelf Reliance, we thrive off helping people get prepared for whatever the future may hold. To help us accomplish this goal we have created an emergency preparedness plan with important tools and information to help you. As you follow these steps you can feel peace knowing your family is prepared! 2 Preparedness Plan 3 Water Storage 4 Food Storage 5 Emergency Kit 7 Helpful Resources 8 Quotes 10 Quiz

2 Preparing for an Emergency Step 1: What are you at risk for in your area ea? - Contact your local emergency management office of local American Red Cross Chapter to gather the information you - will need to create a plan. - Ask what types of disasters are likely to affect your area. - Does your community have warning signals? What are they and what should you do when you hear them? - Check with your schools, workplaces, and other places you frequent about their disaster plans. - Does your community have an evacuation plan? Step 2: Make a Plan - 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. - Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case. - Pick two places to meet: 1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire. 2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number. - 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 phone number. - Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets. Step 3: Complete This Checklist - Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.). - Teach children how and when to call or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help. - Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, and electricity) at the main switches. - Check if you have adequate insurance coverage. - Train each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher and show them where it is kept. - Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms. - Conduct a home hazard hunt. Check to make sure heavy objects on walls are safely secured. - Stock emergency supplies and assemble an Emergency Kit. - Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class. - Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room. - Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster. - Establish a family password with your children. - Complete a Family Communication Plan. This is available in your packet, labeled Family Emergency Plan or you can find it online at - Put all vital records and documents in a fire and water proof safe box. This would include birth certificates, marriage certificates, social security cards, passports, wills, deed, and financial, insurance, and immunization records. They may be also kept in a safe deposit box at your local bank. A fire and water proof safe can be purchased at most large retailers. Step 4: Practice and Maintain Your Plan - Quiz your kids every six months or so. - Conduct fire and emergency evacuations. - Replace stored water every year and keep your stored food rotating by cooking with it often. - Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions. - Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. - Review first aid and CPR training. 2

3 Water Storage Basics of Water Storage: 1. Store a minimum of 7 gallons of water per person for drinking and food preparation. (2 week supply) 2. Store an additional 7 gallons minimum per person of the same quality of water for bathing, brushing teeth, and dishwashing. (2 week supply) 3. Use heavy plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Metal containers, which may corrode, tend to give the water an unpleasant taste. If you have any doubt as to the bacterial safety of stored water, you may purify it by boiling vigorously for 1-2 minutes or by adding chlorine bleach (5 percent sodium hypo chloride solution). Avoid using containers that will decompose or break such as milk cartons or glass bottles. Soft drink bottles or food-grade plastic buckets or drums work well. 4. Avoid storing water containers directly on cement as lime and other minerals can leach through the plastic into the water. Place the containers on 2x4 pieces of wood or another non-stone surfaces. 5. When adding Chlorine Bleach to water, generally ½ teaspoon of bleach will purify 1 gallon of clear water (1/2 cup of bleach for a 55 gallon drum of water), and 1 teaspoon will purify 1 gallon of cloudy or colored water (1 cup of bleach for a 55 gallon drum of water). If it is safe bacterially at the time of storage, water will remain pure for a longer period of time. 6. Rotate your water each year. 7. Keep a water purifier on hand in case your water becomes contaminated, or in case you need to seek alternate sources of drinking water. A simple back packing purifier is a great option. Water purification tablets are another option. Water containers and purifiers s available from Shelf Reliance 3

4 Food Storage Be Practical: Store the food you eat, eat the food you store: It doesn t make sense to buy food storage that your family isn t accustomed to eating. Although it is true that there are many items, such as wheat, flour, oats and dried milk that are needed to sustain life, most of these items are already included in the foods that we enjoy each day. Become familiar with recipes that include ingredients contained within your food storage. This will not only enable you to become familiar with the preparation of foods within your food storage, it will allow you to rotate your food in a timely manner. Temperature: Where possible, always store your food indoors. Temperature affects shelf life the very most. Canned goods will store 2 to 3 times longer at 70oF than they do at 90oF. Most dry goods store indefinitely below 70oF but for less time at higher temperatures. Temperature affects nutrition, texture, and taste. Moisture: Dry goods should have below 10% moisture content and be kept dry. The more a container is opened, the more moisture is introduced. The humidity in the air the day food is dry packed or "home canned" can also affect the storage life. Weevil cannot grow in grain with less than 10% moisture. Beans with less than 10% moisture won't go hard as quickly. Non-fat dry milk should have no more than 2.8% moisture for the longest life. Light: Store in opaque containers or in dark cupboards. Light fades colors, destroys vitamins, and speeds the rancidity of fats. Air: Containers should have airtight seams and lids. If in doubt, seal with duct tape. Plastic buckets with rubber gaskets are airtight if the gasket has not been damaged. Insects cannot grow and multiply without air. Use Variety: Add items for variety and nutrition in meal preparation. This will provide a more balanced nutrition and greater flexibility in cooking foods such as pasta, flour, canned goods, dehydrated or freeze-dried foods, yeast, baking soda, baking powder and spices. Use Labels: Label your containers with the date you purchased them. Rotate Your Storage: Storage: Rotate as many items as you can by using something in your food storage at least twice a week. This will allow complete rotation of a years supply every three years and will help your family become accustomed to the items you have stored. Grow a Garden: Grow a garden so you can have fresh produce. Store and rotate seeds. If you don t have garden space, try growing vegetables in pots etc. Food Rotation Systems Systems available from Shelf Reliance 4

5 Emergency Kit Below is a list of emergency kit items recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). While not every item in this checklist must be in your kit, and may vary by location and circumstance, remember the more comprehensive the kit the better prepared you will be for an emergency. If such a comprehensive emergency kit is overwhelming or you are unable to afford it all at once, take it slowly and build it over time and according to your budget, setting monthly goals to acquire more items until your kit is complete. 5

6 Emergency Kits available from Shelf Reliance 6

7 Resource Page Shelf Reliance 810 N W. Lindon, UT Phone (801) American Red Cross National Headquarters 2025 E Street, NW Washington, DC Phone: (202) National Weather Service 1325 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A Public Inquiries: (404) / (800) U.S. Geological Survey Information Services P.O. Box Denver, CO (888) Federal Emergency Management Agency P.O. Box 2012 Jessup, MD Other Websites:

8 Quotes from Church Leaders on Food Storage Prepare for Times of Need "Be prepared in all things against the day when tribulations and desolations are sent forth upon the wicked" (Doctrine and Covenants 29:8). "We encourage you to follow this counsel with the assurance that a people prepared through obedience to the commandments of God need not fear" (First Presidency letter, 24 June 1988). Store Basics to Sustain Life for One Year "Perhaps if we think... of what it would take to keep us alive in case we didn t have anything else to eat, that... would be very easy to put in storage for a year... just enough to keep us alive if we didn t have anything else to eat" (Harold B. Lee, quoted in Ezra Taft Benson, "Prepare Ye," Ensign, Jan. 1974, 81). "We suggest that members concentrate on essential foods that sustain life" (First Presidency letter, 24 June 1988). Learn to Use What You Store "Every father and mother are the family s storekeepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in the case of an emergency.... Some have said, We have followed this counsel in the past and have never had need to use our year s supply, so we have difficulty keeping this in mind as a major priority. Perhaps following this counsel could be the reason why they have not needed to use their reserve. By continued rotation of the supply it can be kept usable with no waste" (James E. Faust, in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 26; or Ensign, May 1986, 22). "A year's supply of food storage is beneficial in several ways: 1. It provides peace of mind as we obey the counsel to store. 2. It helps ensure survival in case of personal or natural disaster. 3. It strengthens skills in preparing and using basic foods" ("Home Storage: Build on the Basics," Ensign, June 1989, 40). Keep a Year's Supply and Stay out of Debt "As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son" (Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 89; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 73). "Recent surveys of Church members have shown serious erosion in the number of families who have a year s supply of life s necessities. Most members plan to do it. Too few have begun.... It is our sacred duty to care for our families, including our extended families" (Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Sept. 1986, 4; emphasis in original). 8

9 "Let us be in a position so we are able to not only feed ourselves through home production and storage, but others as well" (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 48; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 34). "Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year s supply of food and clothing and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year s supply of debt and are food-free" (Thomas S. Monson, "That Noble Gift Love at Home," Church News, 12 May 2001, 7). Grow Food When Possible "We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard" (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 171; or Ensign, May 1976, 124). "Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own" (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 47; or Ensign, Nov. 1980, 33). Those Who Faithfully Follow the Counsel Will Be Blessed "The Lord has warned us of famines, but the righteous will have listened to prophets and stored at least a year s supply of survival food" (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, 90; or Ensign; Jan. 1974, 80). "Consider the important (food storage) program which we must never forget nor put in the background. As we become more affluent and our bank accounts enlarge, there comes a feeling of security, and we feel sometimes that we do not need the supply that has been suggested by the Brethren.... We must remember that conditions could change and a year s supply of basic commodities could be very much appreciated by us or others. So we would do well to listen to what we have been told and to follow it explicitly" (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 170; or Ensign, May 1976, 124). "We want you to be ready with your personal storehouses filled with at least a year s supply. You don t argue why it cannot be done; you just plan to organize and get it done" (Spencer W. Kimball, August 1976). The Time to Disregard This Counsel Is Over "As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year s supply of necessities.... I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With the events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness.... Create a plan if you don't already have one, or update your present plan... We are not in a situation that requires panic buying, but we do need to be careful in purchasing and rotating the storage that we're putting away." (L. Tom Perry, in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 47; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 36). Someone has said it was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it, and the rains came We have built grain storage and storehouses and stocked them with the necessities of life in the event of a disaster. But the best storehouse is the family storeroom. In words of revelation the Lord has said, "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing" (D&C 109:8). (President Gordon B. Hinckley in the Priesthood Session, General Conference, Oct. 2005) 9

10 Emergency Preparedness Quiz 1. What is one of the safest places to be during an earthquake? a.) in the basement b.) under a bed c.) a doorway d.) on the couch 2. How many people died as a result of the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004? a.) 1 million b.) 250,000 c.) 67,000 d.) 568, During which part of the day are outdoor fires most common? a.) at night, when everyone is sleeping c.) at sunrise, when the temperature increases suddenly b.) in the evening d.) during the afternoon, when the heat from the sun is the hottest 4. Volcanoes do not provide: a.) geothermal energy c.) fertile soils b.) solid foundations for building houses d.) mineral deposits 5. When does a tropical storm become a hurricane? a.) when the speed of its winds exceeds 74 mph c.) when it reaches 7.0 on the Richter scale b.) when the storm hits land d.) tropical storm is just another name for hurricane 6. What is usually the hardest to find after a water-related related disaster hits an area? a.) food b.) clean water c.) pets d.) shelter 7. How long can the average person live without water? a) 2 months b) 2 weeks c) a week or less d) less than 48 hours 8. Which of the following food storage items have the longest shelf life? a) white flour, unbleached b) salt c) honey d) oats, regular rolled Answer 1: (c) in a doorway Answer 2: (b) 250,000 Answer 3: (d) during the afternoon, when the heat from the sun is the hottest Answer 4: (b) solid foundations for building houses Answer 5: (a) when the speed of its winds exceeds 74 mph (the Richter scale is used for earthquakes) Answer 6: (b) clean water, because supplies become contaminated Answer 7: (c) people can live several weeks without food, but normally die in less than a week without water Answer 8: (b) salt will store indefinitely, although salt will clump together if stored in an area with too much moisture. 10

11 Family Emergency Plan Make sure your family has a plan in case of an emergency. Before an emergency happens, sit down together and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supply kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster. Out-of-Town Contact Name: Neighborhood Meeting Place: Regional Meeting Place: Fill out the following information for each family member and keep it up to date. Name: Date of Birth: Name: Date of Birth: Name: Date of Birth: Name: Date of Birth: Name: Date of Birth: Name: Date of Birth: Work Location One Telephone Number: Telephone Number: Telephone Number: Telephone Number: Social Security Number: Important Medical Information: Social Security Number: Important Medical Information: Social Security Number: Important Medical Information: Social Security Number: Important Medical Information: Social Security Number: Important Medical Information: Social Security Number: Important Medical Information: Write down where your family spends the most time: work, school and other places you frequent. Schools, daycare providers, workplaces and apartment buildings should all have site-specific emergency plans that you and your family need to know about. School Location One Work Location Two Work Location Three Other place you frequent Important Information Doctor(s): Other: Pharmacist: Medical Insurance: Homeowners/Rental Insurance: Veterinarian/Kennel (for pets): School Location Two Dial 911 for Emergencies School Location Three Other place you frequent Name Telephone Number Policy Number

12 Family Emergency Plan Make sure your family has a plan in case of an emergency. Fill out these cards and give one to each member of your family to make sure they know who to call and where to meet in case of an emergency. ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS & INFORMATION: Family Emergency Plan EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME: OUT-OF-TOWN CONTACT NAME: NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING PLACE: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: < FOLD HERE > ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS & INFORMATION: Family Emergency Plan EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME: OUT-OF-TOWN CONTACT NAME: NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING PLACE: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS & INFORMATION: Family Emergency Plan EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME: OUT-OF-TOWN CONTACT NAME: NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING PLACE: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: < FOLD HERE > ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS & INFORMATION: Family Emergency Plan EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME: OUT-OF-TOWN CONTACT NAME: NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING PLACE: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES