Disaster Preparedness
Make a Plan….. Build Your Kit….. Practice Your Plan
Your Block Captain_______________________________
Phone #____________________ Space #____________________
Are you ready? Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. Local government and disaster-relief organizations
will not be able to reach everyone right away. Individuals need to be ready as well. Residents should be ready to be
self sufficient for a minimum of three days.
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, elderly individuals, and persons needing special assistance. Plan to share
responsibilities and work together as a team. Prepare your home. The following may be used in creating your own
Emergency Response Plan:
Draw a floor plan of your residence and mark two escape routes from each room.
Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
Post emergency/disaster numbers near a plug in analog telephone.
Pick 2 places to meet in the event of home evacuation: one near the home and one outside your
neighborhood and discuss what to do if ordered to evacuate by authorities.
Pick 2 out-of-state a primary contact and an alternate and 2 local friends or relative for family
member to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out of state than within the affected
area).
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 and your contact people
Plan how to take care of your pets (in an evacuation you’ll need to take them with you)
Plan how to take care of vulnerable adults and children
Install safety features in your home, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire
extinguishers.
Equip home with alternative heating/cooling sources
Equip home with back-up food and water sources
Instruct household members to turn on a battery powered or crank radio for emergency
information.
Create a household inventory (photos or video). Fill out Emergency Medical Form for each member
of the family. Keep important records (power of attorney, insurance, etc.) in a water and fire-proof
container. Back these up on a thumb drive. Keep one off site and one accessible in an emergency.
Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main, and natural gas main shut off valve to your
mobile home. Learn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members.
Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves. Turn off utilities only if you suspect the
lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, it is required that a
professional turns it back on.
Take a basic first aid and CPR class.
Prepare a disaster supply kit and go bag for you and your pets, including an emergency first aid kit
for both.
If Disaster Strikes:
Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.
Check for injuries; give first aid and get help for seriously injured.
Listen to your battery powered or crank radio for news and instructions.
Evacuate if advised to do so. Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
Check for damage to your home – use a flashlight or headlamp only. Do not light matches or turn
on electrical switches if you suspect leaking natural gas or propane leaks.
Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.
If you are remaining in your home, sniff for gas leaks, starting at the hot water heater. If you smell
gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside
quickly.
Shut off any other damaged utilities.
Clean up any spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and any other flammable liquids immediately.
Remember to:
Secure your pets.
Call your family contact – do not use the telephone again unless it is a life threatening emergency.
Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is shut off.
Stay away from downed power lines.
Build Your Kit:
Government and Relief Agencies estimate that after a major disaster, it could take up to three days for relief workers
to reach some areas. In such cases, a 72 hour disaster supply kit could mean the difference between life and death.
In other emergencies, a 72 hour disaster supply kit means the differences between having a miserable experience or
one that’s like a pleasant family camp out. In the event of an evacuation, you will need to have items in an easy-to-
carry container like a backpack or duffle bag. Keep a small version of this kit in your vehicle and at work.
WATER
3-5 gallons of water (one gallon per person per day) plus water for your pets
Method of water purification (4 ways to purify water - boiling, chemical treatment, UV treatment and filtration-
pick one, use another as a backup)
FOOD
Food: ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; canned juices, milk, soup; high energy foods – peanut
butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix; specialty foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets;
comfort/stress food: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags, vitamins
Easy –to-Carry Food: MRE’s, compressed ration bars, survival food tablets, freeze-dried camping meals, jerkey
Pet Food (1 oz per day)
FOOD PREPARATION,
COOKING & STORAGE
Mess kits with pots and fry pans, cups, plates and food prep utensils (non-electric can opener, knife, spatula, large
spoon/ladle, tongs), eating utensils (plastic, stainless or titanium knife, fork, spoon or knife and spork). You can
purchase small spice kits, graters and lightweight cutting boards as well.
Matches in a waterproof container, Bic Lighter and Strike
Non-electric can opener
Lightweight stove and fuel, BBQ
Plastic “zip style” bags, aluminum foil
Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC style
SHELTER
Wool-blended blankets or sleeping bags (1 person)
Emergency reflective blanket
Shelter-tent and tent footprint or hammock
Hand and body warm packs
Tarp
Reflective ER blamket
Sleeping pad
Duct Tape (to tape windows in radiological emergencies)
Heavy Mil Plastic (same as above)
LIGHT
Light sources: headlamp, flashlights, camping lantern, light sticks, candles, solar lighting
Batteries, and extra batteries
Flares
TOOLS/GEAR
Pocket knife, fixed blade survival knife, fillet knife, All-in-1 tool
Sharpener – knife, saw blade, small mill file
Tools (pliers, pry bar, shovel, ax or hatchet, hand saw, wire cutters, wrench, hammer, screw drivers, bolt cutters, 5-in-
1 ER tool)
50 ft Paracord Rope
Signal mirror
Compass, map
Sewing kit
Signal flares, signal mirror
Razor blade pack
Cell phone and charger for home and car
Radio: battery operated with extra batteries, crank radio, solar radio
Non-electric recharging source for cell phone and batteries
2 way CB’s with extra power source
Watch
Whistle with neck cord
Binoculars
Duct tape and zip ties
Rubber hose
Waterproof notepad and writing utensil
Cribbage board and cards
CLOTHING (Plan for weather in your area)
Sturdy boots or shoes wearing 1 pair, pack the other)
Long pants (one cargo type, one UV pair that can double as shorts)
2 long sleeve shirts-one UV, one warm button down
2 T-shirts
Base layers (1 long bottom, 2 long top, one short top)
Underwear, socks (2 pair synthetic, 2 pair wool)
Belt
Polar Fleece Jacket
Rain suit-heavy duty preferred-top and bottom
Bandana, sunhat, wool cap
Leather gloves
CRITICAL INFORMATION
Keep a thumb drive with copies of the following: home, vehicle and medical insurance; phone list; medical records for
you and your pets; birth certificates; marriage licenses, powers of durable and medical attorney, wills; medical
directives and records; latest W2s; recent family photos of each person and pet; photos of home and contents; auto
titles and registration; record of mortgages/deeds; car and utility bill and rent payments.
In addition to copies of everything on the thumb drive, include the following in a sturdy waterproof bag: passports, ss
cards, credit cards and bank/ assets information and paper copies of all of the above.
First Aid manual (you and pets)
Wilderness and Urban Survival manual
SANITATION & PERSONAL HYGEINE
Toilet paper
Soap (preferably something that can wash you, clothes and cookware)
Toothbrush, toothpaste
Feminine supplies
Contact lenses and supplies; a spare set of contacts or glasses if available
Plastic garbage bags and ties
Poop bag and scooper for pet waste
Camp towel, washcloth, dishcloth
Portable toilet
FIRST AID KIT
Baindaids/gauze:
Bandaids (various sizes), extra absorbent (trauma) compresses for excessive bleeding, eye pad, gauze of
various sizes plus a roll of gauze, moleskin, tape, wound closure strips (steristrips used to close laceration
with clean edges), sutures, triangle bandages eye wash, CPR shield, gloves.
Instruments: Tweezers, scalpel or blades, 2 scissors (1 surgical, one to cut bandages/tape),hemostat, tissue forceps,
suture kit (hemostat or needle holder, tissue foreceps, sutures, surgical scissors used to clean up the
edges of jagged wounds as well as to cut the suture thread), medicine dropper, safety pins, snake bite kit.
Thermometer, tongue depressors. Buy surgical steel instruments as they can be sterilized by boiling.
Medication: Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Benadryl, Iodine Tabs (IOSTAT) and Imodium (anti diarrhea tablets) Cortisone
cream (for poison ivy, etc.), Epipen (for severe allergic reactions to stings), Activated charcoal (use only if
advised by the Poison Control Center), Caffeine tabs, triple antibiotic, Syrup of Ipecac (to induce vomiting),
StingEase, Polysporin, BurnFree, petroleum jelly, burn gel and dressings, peppermint oil, aloe vera, tea
tree oil, tiger/bag balm, lavender oil, Arnica. Potassium Iodine tabs (radiation). Don’t forget to pack extra
prescription medication if you need them.
Misc:
Flask of alcohol, sunscreen, sunglasses, extra glasses, bug repellant with DEET, earplugs, mask, cold
compress, cleansing agent/soap, first aid reference for you and your pet- and make sure to keep a hard
copy of your medical conditions in your kit.
MONEY
Cash in small bills, change for phone calls, gold and silver coins in case currency is no longer tendered.
SPECIAL NEEDS ITEMS
For babies: formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk, medications, and favorite security items
For Special Needs adults: extra batteries for hearing aids, collapsible wheelchair, extra oxygen, insulin etc.,
specialized medical supplies.
PETS
Food and water
Collapsible bowl
Body harness and leash with ID tag
Refuse bags/litter
Vet records(Proof of Vaccinations), contact info
Soft pet carrier
Pet First Aid kit and manual
GEAR CARRIER
Waterproof bags for documents, etc.
Large backpack with compression straps
Large rolling dufflebag
Waterproof cover for bag
Large rolling garbage can with tight-fitting lid
Bag ID tag
You should inspect your kit at least twice a year. Rotate food and water every 6 months. Check children’s clothing for
proper fit. Adjust clothing for winter and summer needs. Check expiration dates on batteries, light sticks, warm packs,
food and water. Keep a light source stored in the top of your kit for easy access in the dark. Your kit should be in a
portable container located near an exit of your house. A large plastic garbage can with lid makes an excellent storage
container.
Make sure you have not overloaded your kit as you may not carry it long distances to reach safety or shelter. You
may want to have a back pack or duffle bag for each family member and divide up the rations in the event that family
members are separated during evacuation or the disaster.
Practice Your Plan:
Practicing your plan will help you respond appropriately and quickly during an actual emergency. Review your plan
with family members twice yearly. Hold home evacuation and neighborhood evacuation drill twice yearly. Make sure
to include your pets in these drills. Test your smoke alarms and Co2 alarms. Make sure your fire extinguishers are up
to date. Make sure light sources, extra cell phone batteries and portable radio are handy and have full batteries (or a
way to charge them). Inspect your home food and water supplies and replace as necessary. Inspect Supplies Kit
and Go-Bag and replace items as needed.
Appendix 1
IMPORTANT RECORDS CHECKLIST
______Disaster/ER Phone List ______Billfold/Purse Phone List ______Medical Record Form ______Copy of License/s ______Copy of Military ID ______Copy of Passport ______Current Photo Of Household Members ______Current Photo of Pets ______Proof of Pet Vaccinations ______Photo/List Inventory of Possessions ______Title Vehicle/s ______Title/Deed to Home/s ______Proof of Insurance for Vehicle/s ______Proof of Insurance for Home/s ______Proof of Medical Insurance ______Last Will & Testament ______Durable Power of Attorney ______Durable Medical Power of Attorney ______Do Not Resuscitate Form ______Consent to Treatment Form (for minors) ______Living Will ______Birth Certificate ______Marriage Certificate ______Latest W-2 ______Latest Paystubs ______Bank Account Names and Numbers ______Charge Card Names and Numbers ______Assets Information (401K, etc)
Appendix 2
EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION
Either fill in or circle the correct response.
Patient: Sex: M F SS# First Initial Last
1. Address: Street (Apt.) City State Zip
2. Telephone: Home#: Work#:
Cell#: Cell#:
3. Date of Birth: Place: Religion: day/month/year
4. Blood Type: Bleeding Problems: 5. Medical Aids: Pacemaker yes no Model#
Heart Valve yes no Name/Type
Implants yes no Name/Type
Hearing Aids yes no # Type
Dentures yes no Upper Lower
Oxygen yes no
Others (identify):
6. List Surgeries or Hospitalizations:
Event Date
Event Date
Event Date
Copy Attached #6? yes no
7. Childhood diseases:
Mumps Measles Chicken Pox
8. List Vaccinations: Type: Date:
List Allergies (if any):
List Medications Allergic To (if any):
Copy Attached #8? yes no
9. Identify location of all medications (either prescription or over-the-counter) in the HOME.
10. List all MEDICAL PROBLEMS currently treated for:
Copy Attached #10? yes no
11. List all current physician-prescribed prescriptions and over-the-counter medications:
(Recommend that a copy of medication information provided also be retained for each individual billfold.)
Brand/Generic Name Schedule of Use
Type (pill, capsule, liquid, injection) Dosage
Brand/Generic Name Schedule of Use
Type (pill, capsule, liquid, injection) Dosage
Brand/Generic Name Schedule of Use
Type (pill, capsule, liquid, injection) Dosage
Copy Attached #11? yes no
12. Spouse: Living? yes no First Initial//Maiden Last
Telephone: Home#: Work#:
Cell: Home#: Work#: 13. Companion: Living? yes no
First Initial/Maiden Last
Telephone: Home#: Work#:
Cell: Home#: Work#:
14. List other emergency contacts:
Name Address
Telephone: Home#: Work#:
Cell: Home#: Work#:
Copy Attached #14? yes no
15. Primary Physician: Phone: First Initial Last
16. Ophthalmologist: Phone:
First Initial Last
17. Dentist: Phone: First Initial Last
18. Specialists: Phone: First Initial Last
19. Preferred Hospital: 1st 2nd 20. Medical Insurance (private): yes no If yes, policy#:
Name of Insurance Company:
Copy of Medical Insurance Card Attached #20? yes no 21. Medicare: yes no If yes, policy#:
Copy of Medical Insurance Card Attached #21? yes no
22. Medicaid: yes no If yes, policy#:
Copy of Medical Insurance Card Attached #22? yes no 23. Military Identification Card (if applicable) Active Retired
Copy of Military ID Card Attached #23? yes no
(Medical Insurance and Military ID Cards can all be photocopied onto one sheet)
24. Parents: Father Living? yes no
First Initial Last
Mother Living? yes no First Maiden Last
25. Adopted: yes no
If yes provide as much information on your parents’ health that you know:
Copy Attached #25? yes no
26. Marital Status: single married divorced separated
widow widower significant other civil union
27. I (have) (have not) COMPLETED a Durable Power of Medical Attorney.
Copy Attached #27? yes no
Copy has been provided to Primary Physician? yes no
Location of Original Document?
28. I (have) (have not) COMPLETED a Directive to Physicians (living will).
Copy Attached #28? yes no
Copy has been provided to Primary Physician? yes no
Location of Original Document?
29. I (have) (have not) COMPLETED an Emergency Medical Services Pre-hospitalization Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form.
Copy Attached #29? yes no
Copy has been provided to Primary Physician? yes no
Location of Original Document?
30. There (is) (isn’t) a COMPLETED Consent to Treatment (for children) form.
Copy Attached #30? yes no
Copy has been provided to Primary Physician? yes no
Location of Original Document?
31. Organ/Tissue Donor: yes no
If YES, I have discussed donation with my family members? yes no
Signature of Donor: Date: PREPARED (DATE) UPDATED (DATE)
Appendix 3
DISASTER NUMBERS FORM ER Contact Numbers-neighborhood
ER Contact Numbers-local
Pet ER Contact Numbers Vet:
Pet ER Clinic:
ER Contact Numbers-outside of area
Disaster Broadcast Radio Stations: AM 600 KOGO-Primary SD County Alert AM 1360 KLSD-Secondary SD County Alert AM 1460 AIR AMERICA
Disaster Phone Info Line (will also give shelter information): 211
County Fire Department Engine District _____ ER#:911 1.619.533.4300
Local Police Eastern, District __________ ER#: 911 Precinct #: 858.495.7900 Non-ER #: 858.484.3154
Poison Control 858.715.6300 Poison Control Center 1.800.222.1222
Red Cross San Diego/Imperial County 858.309.1200
Gas Company SDGE 1-800-611- 7343 (24 hour ER #) 1-800-227-2600 (cable /gas pipe locating service)
Electric Company SDGE 1.800.411.7343
SD Water Department 619-515-3525 (Water Department's Emergency Hotline)
Gas Contractor
Plumbing Contractor
Electrical Contractor General Contractor
Disaster Information Websites: http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/health.html (info on evacuation routes, shelters, alerts, contacts, etc.) http://www.noaa.gov/ (weather info) http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/neic/ (earthquakes) http://landslides.usgs.gov/ (landslides) http://www.cdc.gov/ (CDC)
Disaster Cell Phone Apps: iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/app/disaster-alert-pacific-disaster/id381289235?mt=8 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.globalcanofworms.android.proweatheralert FEMA Cell Phone App:
Android: https://market.android.com/details?id=gov.fema.mobile.android
Apple: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fema/id474807486?ls=1&mt=8
Blackberry: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/vendor/18869/