Personal and Family Preparedness

Introduction

Diana Mata - Intern

Kevin Dodge - Intern

Pre-TestHow Prepared Are You???

Do you know where your car title is located?

Do you have a list of all medications your

household takes on a daily basis?

Do you know what frequency the emergency

broadcasting channel is on an AM/FM radio?

1) Be Informed

2) Make a Plan

3) Build a Kit

4) Get Involved

What Should We Do?

What are some potential hazards we face in North Texas?

Be Informed

Thunderstorms and Lightning

• If a sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hardtop vehicle and keep the windows up

• Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately

• Avoid showering or bathing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity

• Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm

Be Informed

Tornados

They may strike quickly, with little

or no warning

Before a tornado hits, the wind

may die down and the air may

become very still

A cloud of debris can mark the

location of a tornado even if a

funnel is not visible

Be InformedLook for the following danger signs:

• Dark, often greenish sky• Large hail• A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if

rotating)• Loud roar, similar to a freight train

Take shelter by going to the center

of an interior room on the lowest

level of a building

Put as many walls as possible

between you and the outside

Be Informed

Warning sirens are generallyactivated when:

• Tornado warnings from the National Weather Service naming your location in its path

• Severe thunderstorm warnings from the National Weather Service with winds forecast over 73mph

• When deemed necessary by city officials (civil unrest, Hazmat, disasters)

Be Informed

Watches vs. Warnings

Watch — Conditions are favorable for the severe weather event in or near the watch area. When a watch is announced, stay alert

and be ready to take action

Warning — Severe weather event is imminent or occurring in the warned area. Take action based on the emergency at hand

Be Informed

Floods/Flashfloods• It only takes six inches of fast-

moving floodwater to knock over an adult and two feet to carry away most vehicles, including pickups and SUVs

High winds• Can accompany other natural

disasters• Debris can turn into damaging

projectiles• Can cause power outages

Be Informed

Hail• Most commonly causes damage to property, vehicles and crops;

more than $1 billion in damage each year• The costliest thunderstorm event in U.S. history struck Dallas-Fort

Worth on May 5, 1995

What to do • Cover windows with curtains or close

blinds to reduce the impact of breaking glass

• Provide shelter for any outdoor pets or farm animals. Animals are particularly vulnerable to hail

• Pull over if you are driving

Be Informed

Heat and Drought• Older adults, young children,

and those who are sick or overweight are most likely to suffer when the mercury rises

Wildfires• Wildfires often begin

unnoticed. These fires are usually triggered by lightning or accidents

Be Informed

Winter Storms

A winter storm can last for several

days and be accompanied by:• high winds

• freezing rain

• sleet

• heavy snowfall

• cold temperatures

People can become trapped at home,

without utilities or other services, or in

their vehicle

Be Informed

Hazardous Materials• Chemical manufacturers are one

source of hazardous materials, but there are many others, including 18-wheelers, service stations, hospitals and hazardous materials waste sites

• Anyone living near an Interstate is susceptible to hazardous material exposure

Transportation Accidents• $10.8 million in 2009• 35,900 deaths in 2009

Be Informed

Blackouts/Loss of Electricity• Follow energy conservation measures to keep the use of

electricity as low as possible, which can help power companies avoid imposing rolling blackouts

• More likely during hottest and coldest periods of the year

Be Informed

Epidemic• An epidemic occurs when a disease affects a greater

number people than is usual for the locality or one that spreads to areas not usually associated with the disease

Pandemic• A pandemic is an epidemic of world-wide proportions

Be Informed

H5N1 (Avian Flu)• A relatively new Influenza A virus• Extremely virulent, capable of causing severe disease • Not currently transmittable

Be Informed

West Nile Virus• The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many

species of mosquitoes

Control measures• Avoid containers that allow standing water• Insect repellant• Long sleeves

Be Informed

• Practice good “Cough Etiquette”

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too

• Avoid touching

your eyes, nose

or mouth

Be Informed

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze

• Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective but second to soap and warm water

• Stay home if you get sick. Germs spread that way

Be Informed

Carbon MonoxideYou can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high

levels it can kill a person in minutes

Be Informed

House Fires– Fire is Fast!– Fire is Hot!– Fire is Dark!– Fire is Deadly!

Be Informed

Be Informed

Gas LeaksNatural gas is odorless and colorless, so harmless substances are added to it to make it smell like rotten eggs, to assist in identifying leaks

Be Informed

Holiday Travel• Inform someone from

your support network• Avoid less travelled

surface roads if possible

• Check weather before you leave

• Ensure your vehicle’s maintenance is up to date

Be Informed

Biological Threats

• Biological agents are organisms or toxins that can kill or incapacitate people, livestock and crops

• The three basic groups of biological agents that would likely be used as weapons are bacteria, viruses and toxins

Be Informed

Chemical Threats

• Chemical agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids and solids that have toxic effects on people, animals or plants

• While potentially lethal, chemical agents are difficult to deliver in lethal concentrations

Be Informed

Explosions

• Explosive devices can be highly portable, using vehicles and humans as a means of transport

• Terrorists have frequently used explosive devices as one of their most common weapons

Be Informed

Comanche Peak Power

Station• Located 100 miles southwest

of McKinney, TX

Nuclear Power Plant• Nearly 3 million Americans

live within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power plant

• Nuclear power plants operate in most states in the country and produce about 20 percent of the nation’s power

Make a Plan

Make a Plan

Your family may not be together when a

disaster strikes.

Making a plan is essential• How will you get to a safe place?

• How will you contact one another?

• How will you get back together?

• What will you do in different situations and disasters?

• Who should you ask for help?

Make a Plan

Plan for your risks

Before, during, and after• Identify common hazards in your area• Share information from the “Be Informed” section with

all members of your household or your support network• Inquire about alert and warning systems at:

– home– work– school– locations where you spend time

• Make preparations to shelter in place or evacuate

Create a Personal Support Network

• Members of your network can be:

roommates relativesneighbors friendsco-workers family members

• They should be people you trust and who can check to see if you need assistance. Tell them about your capabilities and needs, so they can provide help when needed

Make a Plan

Plan to protect yourself / family

• Make an emergency plan

• Plan together with your support network

• Arrange for more than one person from your support network to check on you in an emergency, so there is at least one back-up person

• Keep your plan in a safe place where everyone can find it

Make a Plan

Communications Plan

• Fill out a family emergency plan

• Identify and confirm with the out-of-town contact• Someone who can establish contact with everyone during a

disaster

• Ways to communicate • Cell phone• Text messaging• Pay phone • Internet/email• Online registration programs • Social media

Make a Plan

• ICE, or “In Case of Emergency”

• EMT and first responders actually look for this!

• Put a new contact in your cell phone:– Call it “ICE” (or ICE1, ICE2, etc., for multiple)

– Add phone number

– Add notes for who this contact is, such as “Wife Alice” or “Dad – Bill” (if your phone lets you)

Make a Plan

File of Life Program

• The File of Life is a red, magnetic packet that contains vitally important medical information about you.

• The File of Life also provides an area to list contact information for your family members, and includes doctor, insurance information and any other special circumstances that rescue personnel should know in caring for you.

Make a Plan

Escape routes for your home• Identify at least two escape routes for each room

• If your home is taller than one story plan to use escape ladders

Establish a place to meet in the event of an

emergency

Where you are… Where to meet…

Near the home The next door neighbors telephone pole

Outside the immediate area

The neighborhood grocery store parking lot

Be InformedGet Tech Ready

Make a Plan

Utility Shut-off• It is very important to contact your service

provider in order to determine the safest shut-off and start-up procedures for each utility in your home

• gas• water• electricity

• There is always a possibility of secondary emergencies and accidents if not followed properly

Make a Plan

Vital Records and Documents

• Store important documents in an electronic

format or in a safe location away from your

home– Safe deposit box

– Someone from your support network

• Remember to update any information as soon as changes take effect

Make a Plan

Examples of Vital Records and Documents

Drivers License or ID card Medical records Marriage, birth, & death certificates House/car deeds Insurance policies Bank records/credit card accounts Divorce decrees & adoption records Home inventory list (with photos)

Make a Plan

Safety

• Take first aid and CPR classes

• Learn to use a fire extinguisher

• Update the medical information for everyone included in your plan

• Learn how to care for those in your family with serious medical conditions and/or physical limitations

Make a Plan

• Be sure to include pets in your plan• Pet Alert Decal for your home, it alerts first

responders that there is a pet inside the home

Make a Plan

Tailor a Plan for Your Needs

• Its important to consider any challenges or barriers that might limit your independence and self-reliance

• As you answer the following questions think about a day when you might feel your worst

Make a Plan

On your worst day…

• Could you move around on your own?• Would you be able to lift, grab or carry your

disaster kit?• Could you evacuate on your own?• Would you be able to safely drive a vehicle?• Would you be able to get access to news and

important information?• How long could you take care of yourself?

Make a Plan

Planning

• Consider how a disaster might affect your needs

• Plan to make it on your own for a several days

• Identify what kinds of resources you use on a daily basis and what you might need if these are limited

• Consider your unique needs as you plan to keep your health, safety and independence

• Keep in mind any pets or livestock that may rely on you for food and shelter

Make a Plan

As you identify your needs and the resourcesavailable during a disaster remember to keep inmind:

• Ages of members in your family or group• Your responsibilities for assisting others• Locations you frequently visit• Dietary needs• Medical needs• Transportation needs• Disabilities or functional needs• Pets or service animals

Make a Plan

Locations to consider as you plan

• Home

• Workplace

• Vehicles

• Commuter transportation

• Schools

• Places of Worship

• Sports arenas and playing fields

• Entertainment locations

• Shopping malls or retail centers

• Travel locations or hotels

Commit a weekend to:• Update telephone numbers

• Start buying emergency supplies

• Review your emergency plan with everyone

Make a Plan

Several resources provide step-by-step

instructions on how to create a planNational

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) www.ready.gov

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov/phpr/

State• Texas Division of Emergency Management (DEM)

www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem

Make a PlanRegional

• North Central Texas Council of Governments www.nctcog.org/ep

• Know What 2 do www.knowhat2do.com

• DFW Get the Plan www.dfwgettheplan.org

County• Collin County Homeland Security

www.co.collin.tx.us/homeland_security/

Build a Kit

Build a Kit• Water

one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.

• Food

at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

• Radio

battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.

• Flashlightwith extra batteries.

• Can openermake sure it’s a manual can opener.

• Whistleto signal for help.

• Cash and changein case ATM’s are unavailable or

something prevents the use of

credit/debit cards.

• Wrench or pliersto turn off utilities.

• First-Aid kit

• Sanitation and personal hygiene itemsMess kit

• Important documents

• Emergency plan

Build a Kit

• Change of clothes and shoes per person

• Duct tape

• Plastic sheeting

• Work gloves

• Rain gear/poncho

• Tarp

• Helmet

• Baby Needs

• Elderly Needs

• Matches and/or lighter

• Local maps

• Emergency reference materials such as first aid book

• charger and/or cell phone battery

• Entertainment items for all ages

• Medications

Additional emergency supplies

Build a Kit

Additional kits would be:

– Pet/livestock

– Vehicle

– Work

– Pandemic

Build a Kit

Maintaining a kit

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place

• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests and to extend its shelf life

• Be sure to write the “best by” date on all containers

• Rotate your food stock on a regular basis

• Reevaluate supplies on an bi-annual basis

Build a Kit

Pack supplies in a duffle bag, suitcase or storage container and keep it in an easily

accessible place.

Build a Kit

Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety,

and losses that accompany disasters.

Get Involved

Preparing your community by identifying

local partners• MRC

• Salvation Army

• VOAD

• Fire Corps

• CERT

• VIPS

Get Involved

Build a team• Start a house meeting/grassroots effort

Set goals• Be engaged and educated

Serve your community

• Create an event for your community

Be a preparedness leader• Become a trainer to teach others in the

community

Get Involved

Purchase and program a NOAA weather radio– 162.400 MHz

Monitor news and weather alerts– WBAP-820 AM– KRLD-1080AM and 96.7

FM

Post-Test

• What is one item you want to include in your emergency supply kit?

• Who is one person you will you include in your support network?

• Do you know how to get emergency information if you had to right now?

QUESTIONS

Collin County Homeland SecurityPublic Health Emergency ManagementOffice: 214-491-6834Email: dmata@co.collin.tx.us Email: kdodge@co.collin.tx.us