Introduction to Emergency Preparedness
Posted by Surya V on April 25, 2013 0 Comments
As an introduction to emergency preparedness, this article helps highlight how to create a basic preparedness plan. Citizens need to have a basic plan that helps address how to shut-off household utilities, avoid financial losses, institute basic safety skills, address medical issues and disabilities, take care of pets and how to seek shelter.
What types of hazards do emergency preparedness plans address? A wide variety, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and lighting, winter storms, extreme cold, extreme heat, volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, fires, hazardous material spills, household chemical emergencies, nuclear power plant disasters, terrorist explosions, biological threats, chemical threats, nuclear blasts and radiological exposure.
To develop an emergency preparedness plan, people should analyze the hazards and disasters mentioned in the aforementioned paragraph, note the risk level for their geologic area and make a note how this risk can be reduced. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also has potential hazard maps for certain areas, helping people address emergency preparedness.
People need to be prepared to face evacuation, which is far more common than most people realize. Local community authorities often have detailed emergency evacuation routes for such cases. It is highly recommended that families keep a detailed record of evacuation routes in the event of an emergency.
Some helpful emergency tips include:
- Keeping a full tank of gas at all times in a vehicle. Often gas stations are closed during emergencies, including power outages.
- If someone does not own a vehicle, they need to make emergency plans with friends or local public transportation.
- Purchase a battery-powered radio, as local evacuation instructions are frequently aired.
- If instructed to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Always evacuate early instead of at the last minute. Never take shortcuts, but follow the exact emergency evacuation route, as other roads may be blocked.
- Never drive into flooded areas or washed-out roads and always stay away from any downed power lines.
- Having an emergency preparedness plan that includes food and water purification is also necessary. Having high-purity water is necessary to avert potential health problems.
Additionally, both schools and workplaces should have their own emergency plans. Families should keep a detailed plan that highlights escape routes, where to meet in the event of an emergency, natural gas turnoffs, water purification, electricity shut-off, insurance plans, vital records, a detailed inventory of home possessions, important documents, cash and very basic necessities.
To plan ahead, individuals should also consider learning First Aid and CPR, as this is necessary training that helps save lives.
