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Buffalo
County, Nebraska >
County Offices
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Emergency Manager
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Family Disaster Plan
Disaster
can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you
to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home.
What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity
or telephones--were cut off? Local officials and relief workers
will be on the scene after a disaster, but they will not be
able to reach everyone right away, so it is important for
you to develop a plan for you and your family.
Families
can, and do, cope with disaster by preparing in advance and
working together as a team. Follow the steps listed in this
brochure to create your family's disaster plan. Knowing what
to do is your best protection and your responsibility.
Where
will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be
anywhere--at work, at school or in the car.
How
will you find each other? Will you know if your children
are safe?
4
STEPS TO SAFETY
1.
Find Out What Could Happen to You
Contact
the Emergency Management office or the Ft. Kearney Chapter
of the American Red Cross.
- Ask
what types of disasters are most likely to happen in Kearney
and the surrounding area. Request information on how to
prepare for the different types of emergencies that could
occur.
- Learn
about the existing warning signals in Buffalo County: what
they sound like (outdoor warning sirens), and that the alert
signal should indicate to all citizens to tune to local
radio or television for emergency information and instructions.
- Ask
about animal care after a disaster. Animals will not be
allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations,
so prepare a plan for your pets.
- Find
out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
- Next,
find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your
children's school or daycare center and other places where
your family spends time.
2.
Create a Disaster Plan
Meet
with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster.
Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and hazardous
materials to children. Plan to share responsibilities and
work together as a team.
- Discuss
the types of disasters that are most likely to happen.
Explain what to do in each case.
- Pick
two places to meet:
- Right
outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like
a fire.
- Outside
your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone
must know the address and phone number.
- Ask
an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact."
After a disaster, its often easier to call long distance.
Other family members should call this person and tell them
where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone
number.
- Discuss
what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your
pets.
3.
Complete This Checklist
- Post
emergency telephone numbers by your telephones or have them
programmed into your phone (fire, police, EMS, etc.)
- Teach
children how and when to call 911 for emergency help.
- Show
each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas
and electricity at the main switches.
- Check
if you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Teach
each family member how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type),
and show them the designated locations where they are kept
in the house.
- Install
smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near
bedrooms.
- Conduct
a home hazard hunt.
- Stock
emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Take
a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
- Determine
the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out
of each room.
- Find
the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.,
including your Shelter-in-Place spot.
4.
Practice and Maintain Your Plan
- Quiz
your children every six months so they remember what to
do.
- Conduct
fire and emergency evacuation drills.
- Replace
stored water every three months and stored food every six
months.
- Test
and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's
instructions.
- Test
your smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries the
same weekend as the time change occurs in the spring (daylight-savings
time) and fall (standard time).
EMERGENCY
SUPPLIES
Keep enough
supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three
days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may
need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry
containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or covered plastic
containers. Include:
- A three-day
supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food
that won't spoil.
- One
change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket
or sleeping bag per person.
- A first
aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
- Emergency
tools, including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and
plenty of extra batteries.
- An
extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's
checks.
- Sanitation
supplies.
- Special
items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
- An
extra pair of glasses.
- Keep
important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep
a smaller kit in the trunk of your car.
UTILITIES
Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main and
natural gas main. Learn how and when to turn these utilities
off. Teach all responsible family members. Keep necessary
tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
Remember,
turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged
or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, you will need
a professional to turn it back on.
NEIGHBORS
HELPING NEIGHBORS
Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet
with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work
together after a disaster until help arrives. If you're a
member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association
or neighborhood watch group, introduce disaster preparedness
as a new activity. Know your neighbors' special skills (e.g.,
medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors
who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons.
Make plans for child-care in case parents are unable to get
home during the emergency.
HOME
HAZARD HUNT
During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause
injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or
cause a fire is a home hazard. Inspect your home at least
once a year and fix potential hazards.
Contact the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department
to learn about home fire hazards.
EVACUATION
Evacuate
immediately if told to do so:
- Listen
to your battery-powered radio and follow the instructions
of local emergency officials.
- Wear
protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
- Take
your family disaster supplies kit.
- Lock
your home.
- Use
travel routes specified by local authorities--don't use
shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
If you're
sure you have time:
- If
instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity
before leaving.
- Post
a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
- Make
arrangements for your pets.
IF
DISASTER STRIKES
- If
disaster strikes
Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.
- Check
for injuries
Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
- Listen
to your battery powered radio for news and instructions.
- Evacuate,
if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy
shoes.
Check
for damage in your home...
- Use
flashlights--do not light matches or turn on electrical
switches, if you suspect damage.
- Check
for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.
- Sniff
for gas leaks, starting at the 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 spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable
liquids immediately.
Remember
to...
- Confine
or 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
cut off.
- Stay
away from downed power lines.
The Federal
Emergency Management Agency's Family Protection Program and
the American Red Cross' Disaster Education Program are nationwide
efforts to help citizens prepare for disasters of all types.
For more information, please contact the Emergency Management
office, or the Fort Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Start planning now.
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