Emergency - Are You Ready?

By Jeffrey S. Weidner

Emergency Preparedness Begins with -- YOU!

A potential disaster, emergency, or pandemic, such as the current outbreak of the 2009 Novel Influenza (H1N1) virus infection, has people concerned and wondering if they are prepared. Below are some tips and guidelines to help families plan and prepare for any type of emergency.

Numerous studies and research have shown that an event such as a hurricane, fire, or other natural or human caused disaster that impacts an individual serves as the motivating factor behind emergency preparedness.

The Berks County Department of Emergency Services takes an active and managerial role in the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

One of the most devastating natural disasters was Hurricane Katrina that hit the Louisiana coast on Aug. 29, 2005. Hurricane Katrina has been categorized as the most costly hurricane that has ever struck the U.S., with current estimates exceeding $80 billion in damage. This figure, however, does not include the sociological and psychological impacts that the incident caused, including the mental suffering and stress of being displaced and without the basic necessities.

The impact of Hurricane Katrina has not only changed the lives of the Gulf Coast residents, but it seared an image of the suffering natural disasters can place on civilization into our nation’s consciousness.

Disasters of any magnitude can impact us in a number of ways and cause repercussions that would take days, weeks, months, or possibly years to recover from. Because of this, we need to ensure we are adequately prepared and able to sustain ourselves for at least 72 hours without assistance from community resources such as public safety agencies, food and water resources, and local government entities.

During a disaster which impacts your community, the emergency service providers will be overtaxed with mitigating the effects of the incident, and may not be able to assist you in a reasonable amount of time. It is crucial that you are properly prepared and able to sustain you and your family for a minimum of 72 hours without assistance.

Families should consider items in these six categories as a basis for an emergency preparedness kit.

Water -- at least one gallon of water per person per day with a minimum of a three day supply.

Clothing & Bedding -- a complete change of clothing (including shoes) should be included for each person, along with sufficient blankets or sleeping bags.

Food -- a three-day supply of food per person. Items to consider include ready-to-eat, non-perishable items such as canned fruits, vegetables, high-energy sports bars, granola, and peanut butter. Many stores carry ready-to-eat meals which can be mixed with water to create a healthy and nutritious meal.

First Aid Kit -- Commercially available first aid kits are available at a variety of stores such as Target or Wal-Mart and are also available through your local chapter of the American Red Cross.

Tools & Supplies -- Basic tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, a flashlight with extra batteries, can opener, fire extinguisher, work gloves, radio with extra batteries, and other personal hygiene items should be included.

Special Items -- Individuals with special needs such as infants, adults, and senior citizens all should be considered when assembling the kit. Medications, extra glasses, baby formula, diapers, books or games for entertainment, and resources for pet care should all be included.

Other items for consideration include maintaining copies of important documents such as drivers licenses, social security cards, deeds, and other important legal documents, and ensuring that they are included in the kit. Also, consider any durable medical supplies such as oxygen, canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. Although it may not be possible to keep these items with the kit, remember to include these as part of the planning process.

Preparation should also include learning what types of natural and human hazards you are vulnerable to.

Each county and municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required by law to perform a “Hazard Vulnerability Analysis,”. This analysis looks at the geographical area and identifies what types of hazards have impacted the area in the past and what types could potentially occur in the future.

Learn how you will be warned in the event of an emergency. The most commonly used method is the Emergency Alert System that uses radio, television, and weather radios to broadcast important messages and information about the incident. Also, several municipalities, public schools, and higher education facilities have begun utilizing “mass notification” systems which will send alerts to cellular phones, pagers, e-mail accounts and text messages regarding the emergency.

It is important that families learn what to do in an emergency, which also depends on the nature and scope of the incident.

Emergency service officials may recommend that you remain inside your house or evacuate instead to another area. If you are instructed to remain inside, ensure to close all doors and windows, close any sources of outside area and stay tuned to a local radio station for further instructions.

If there are pre-established evacuation routes, learn where they are and where to proceed. Many communities surrounding a nuclear power plant are provided information every year with the evacuation routes to utilize in the event an emergency occurs at the power plant.

The more prepared you are, the more peace of mind you wil have.  In the event of an emergency, your family's comfort and possibly ability to survive will be increased.

Jeffrey S. Weidner is a Certified Emergency Manager with the Berks County Department of Emergency Services.  He can be reached at 610-374-4800 x8211 or JWeidner@CountyofBerks.com 

Influenza Resources
County emergency management websites have links to information about the H1N1 situation.
http://www.co.berks.pa.us/ema/site/default.asp
http://www.lema.co.lancaster.pa.us/lema/site/default.asp

The Berks County Pandemic Advisory Council’s “Stay at Home Toolkit for Influenza” can be accessed at
http://www.flutoolbox.com.

State plans and other planning information can be found at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/checklists.htm

Emergency Preparedness Resources
In addition to the local government sites listed above, more information can be found on emergency preparation at
http://www.redcross.org 
http://www.readypa.org
http://www.ready.gov/
http://www.fema.gov/