A Family Guide for Emergency Response

Be Prepared.
Be Alert.
Be Smart.

Be Prepared
Be Alert
Be Smart
Emergency Supply Kit
Keeping Family and Friends Informed
Resources and Hotlines
Disaster Planning Tips for Pets
Additional Resources

Disaster preparedness involves many aspects of readiness. Discussed below are items to think about in order to be tactically, physically, spiritually and legally prepared for an emergency situation.

Tactically:

• compile an emergency supply kit;
• plan for pet safety.

Physically:

• keep yourself hydrated;
• eat properly;
• get regular physical exercise.

Spiritually:

• Are you able to weather adverse circumstances and remain strong?
• If the outcome is the worst possibility, have you done the necessary things particular to your spirituality to make that passage peacefully?

Legally:

• Are your affairs in order, and have you planned for loved ones if something happens to you?

Mental alertness provides clear and quick thinking during a time of chaos, danger and uncertainty and can help you overcome the challenges of an emergency situation.

Keep Current:

• avail yourself of all possible news about an emergency, whether it is watching television, reading the newspaper, or if those aren't available, listening to a battery powered radio;
• use your senses to remain alert in an emergency response situation;
• look for signs of bad weather, high winds, high water levels, dark gray skies;
• listen for signs of water, rain, wind, vehicles, phones ringing, sounds of human despair;
• be attuned to burning or metallic smells.

Plain old smarts can help people conquer a difficult situation, and more quickly return to a degree of daily normalcy.

Action:

• do not let fear immobilize you -- remain active if appropriate;
• do not be afraid to activate a mediocre plan now rather than a perfect plan later;
• action does not always have to be physical -- mental and spiritual processes, for example, are active processes.

Thought:

• allow logic, as opposed to emotion, guide thought processes;
• as you have prepared for the emergency situation, assess current situation and thoughtfully prepare for upcoming challenges;
• as you gather new information from either news sources or neighbors, remain logical and critical in your reception of that news.

Attitude:

• trust in the instinctual will for survival and dominance over a difficult situation;
• help others in your group to remain positive by reiterating your preparedness level, your trust in government safety providers to take immediate and proper action, and the fact that together the group remains a functioning unit;
• communicate within your group about challenges already faced and those yet to come.

The following is a list of emergency preparedness basics.

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Remaining mindful of the possibility of emergency situations could save your life and the life of your Family. Preparing a stockpile of supplies is an important step in the emergency preparedness process. Items to keep together as an emergency kit include:

• small generator
• flashlights
• battery-operated radio & clock
• cell phone and charger
• batteries
• bottled water
• first aid supplies
• cash
• ice chest & ice
• non-perishable foods
• disposable plates, utensils, & cups
• manual can opener
• camping stove or grill
• matches
• charcoal & lighter fluid
• fuel for portable stove or grill
• fuel for cars & generators
• window protection & masking tape
• important phone numbers

A general rule is to secure two weeks worth of supplies.

During an emergency, phone systems are often down or overloaded. This includes landlines or cellular phones. In order to help yourself and your community, put this strategy into practice:

designate an out-of-area contact to be the hub of information; each Family member in the area must know the phone number for the out-of-area contact; inform friends and Family of the out-of-area contact person's identity and phone number and instruct them to call this contact for Family information in case of an emergency; sparingly call your out-of area contact with any Family information; only use the phone when absolutely necessary.

If you believe that you have been exposed to a biological or chemical agent, or if you believe an intentional biological threat will occur or is occurring, please contact your local health department and/or your local police or other law enforcement agency.

Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program
Hotline: 770-488-7100
Program questions: 404-639-0385

Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch
National Center for Environmental Health
24-Hour Emergency Telephone: (770) 488-7100

Coping with an Attack, A Quick Guide to Dealing with Biological, Chemical and "Dirty Bomb" Attacks
A colorful, easy-to-read poster that consists of simple matrices describing immediate actions to take in case of a biological, chemical, or "dirty bomb" attack, plus answers to frequently asked questions.
Full Color Poster (pdf - 256KB)
B&W Legal Size (pdf - 489KB)

Other Emergency Response Resources:
CDC/NIOSH Emergency Response Resources
U.S. FDA Bioterrorism Resources and News

The Humane Society of the United States offers the following tips to pet owners designing an emergency safety plan.

• If you evacuate your home, do not leave your pets behind. Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.

• For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets. Find out which motels and hotels in your area allow pets.

• Include your local animal shelter's number in your list of emergency numbers as they might be able to provide information concerning pets during a disaster.

• Make sure identification tags are up to date and securely fastened to your pet's collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site.

• Make sure you have a current photo of your pet for identification purposes.

• Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so that if he panics, he can't escape.

• Create a "pet survival kit". Take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, cat litter/pan, can opener, food dishes, first aid kit and other supplies.

• If you have no alternative but to leave your pet at home, confine your pet to a safe area inside. Never leave your pet chained outside! Place a notice outside in a visible area, advising what pets are in the house and where they are located. Provide a phone number where you or a contact can be reached as well as the name and number of your vet.

Additional sources on how to respond in case of emergency.

FEMA: Emergency Response Action Steps
FEMA: Disaster Planning Tips for Pets, Livestock and Wildlife
CDC: Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
American Red Cross Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations for Individuals, Families, Neighborhoods, Schools, and Businesses