AUGUST GOAL—Earthquake Preparedness &
Emergency Communication Plan
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Stay alert for emergency communication:
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Create a Disaster Emergency Plan—Your family may not be together
if a disaster (floods, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, winter storms, excessive
heat, drought, wildfires, earthquakes, pandemics, power outages) strikes. Know how you’ll
contact one another and reconnect, if separated. (Be sure to include at least
one out-of-state contact.) Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and
easy to find.
Step 1: Create a Family Disaster Plan by discussing the questions below with your family:
- How will I receive emergency alerts,
broadcasts, and warnings?
- What are the safe places in my home
or elsewhere to shelter?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What
is my family/household Emergency
Communication Plan?
- Do I need to update my Emergency Preparedness Kit?
- What is our post-hazard meeting place?
(A safe distance from your home, outside your neighborhood in
case you can’t return home. Learn where area evacuation shelters are
located.)
Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household
As you prepare tailor your plans
and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss
your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each
other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs
like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific
areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when
developing your plan:
- Dietary needs
- Responsibilities for assisting others
- Different ages of members within your
household
- Disabilities or access and functional
needs including devices and equipment
- Medical needs including prescriptions and
equipment
- Households with school-aged children or seniors
- Cultural and religious considerations
- Locations frequented
- Languages spoken
- Pets or service animals
Step 3: Create a Family Emergency Communication Plan
An 8-page PDF file is available @ www.ready.gov
(FEMA—U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household http:www.ShakeOut.org/dropcoverholdon
Stay Safe After an Earthquake. There can be serious hazards such as damage to a building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines.
»
Wash your hands with soap and water after
holding on to commonly touched surfaces or objects. If you are unable to wash
your hands, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
» Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and
Hold On, if
you feel an aftershock.
» If you are in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building. Do not
enter damaged buildings.
»
Maintain a distance of at least 6-feet
between yourself and those who are not part of your household (this will help
slow the spread of COVID-19 or any other challenge at the time).
»
If you are trapped, send a text or bang on a pipe or wall. Cover
your mouth with your shirt for protection and instead of shouting, use a
whistle. If possible, avoid directly touching your mouth.
»
If you are in an area that may experience
tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
Note that there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through water;
however, you should avoid contact with floodwaters as they can contain
chemicals, sewage, and debris.
» Check yourself to see if you are hurt and help others, if you have training. Learn how to be the help until help arrives.
» If you are sick or injured and need medical attention, contact
your healthcare provider for instructions. If you are experiencing a medical
emergency, call 9-1-1. If you can, put on a mask and avoid touching your eyes,
nose, and mouth before help arrives.
Once you are safe, pay attention to
local news reports for emergency information and instructions via
battery-operated radio, TV, social media or from cell phone text alerts.
Register on the American Red Cross "Save and Well" website so people
will know you are okay.
§
Use text messages to communicate,
which may be more reliable than phone calls.
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Be careful when cleaning up. Wear
protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves
and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself.
Wear a mask and maintain a physical distance of at least 6-feet while working
with someone else. Use an appropriate mask, if cleaning mold
or other debris. People
with asthma
and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with
indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen
or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
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Engage virtually with your
community through video and phone calls. Know that it’s normal to feel anxious
or stressed. Take care of your body and talk to someone, if you are feeling
upset. Many people may already feel fear and anxiety about the coronavirus 2019
(COVID-19). The threat of an earthquake can add additional stress. Follow
CDC guidance for managing stress during a
traumatic event.
An Emergency Communication Plan—is a plan that determines how, when, and with what your family will
communicate during all phases of an unexpected occurrence that requires
immediate action (i.e., an earthquake). The plan should document instructions
for staying in place or evacuating.
What should be included in a family Emergency Communication Plan?
Include an
out-of-town emergency contact name and number, a meeting place and any other
important information. Be sure every family member has emergency phone numbers
and a cell phone. Teach children how and when to call 911 for help.
How do
you write an Emergency Communication Plan?
Practice
texting and calling. Have each person practice sending a text message or
calling your out-of-town contact and sending a group text to your mobile phone
group list. Discuss what information you should send by text.
Of all earthquake preparedness
measures, earthquake drills are the most important. Their purpose
is to help individuals learn how to REACT immediately and appropriately. A
building evacuation (following an earthquake) is imperative due to potential
danger of fires or explosions.
If the building is going to
collapse then there is no safe floor to be on, although in major
earthquakes, it is usually safer upstairs than being on ground level. The
uppermost floor does increase your chances of survival. If the building were to
stay standing after the earthquake, then evacuation will be easier from the
first floor than from any other floor. It can be dangerous trying to run
hastily downstairs. First of all, calm down and look around before you
do anything.
- Drop down and take cover under a
desk or table.
- Stay inside until the shaking
stops and it is safe to exit.
- Stay away from bookcases and
other furniture that can fall on you.
- Stay away from windows and light
fixtures.
- If you are in bed—hold on and stay there.
Is it safe to hide under a bed
during an earthquake?
Don't hide under the bed. If you are in bed
during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. The bed
will hold up some of the debris, creating a safe void around the perimeter.
Never get under it, and teach your children never to crawl under the bed in an
earthquake.
Experts have long warned the public against leaving a building and heading outdoors during a quake. The safest place to be as the earth moves is inside, protected from potentially crushing debris, drooping power lines, falling trees or building extremities that could crumble.
What is the strongest part of a
house?
The strongest room in the house is usually the smallest room, on ground level, without external windows and the safest place to shelter during severe storms.
Is it safe to be on the top
floor during an earthquake?
In an earthquake, if you are on
an upper story of a building, do not try to leave the building during
the earthquake. After the earthquake, I would put on shoes, grab my purse/bag,
and leave the building until it has been inspected for damage. ...
Walking/running during an earthquake is dangerous. The floor/ground is moving!
What do you do in an apartment
during an earthquake?
§ Stay inside and “DROP, COVER
and HOLD ON”
§
Refer
to previous explanations of — ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On’
What are 3 things you should NOT
DO during an earthquake?
1)
DO
NOT turn on the gas again, if you turned it off. (Gas company will turn it on.)
Remember that broken gas lines and fire don’t mix.
2) DO NOT use matches, lighters, or
any flame, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances until
you are sure there are no gas leaks.
3)
DO
NOT use your telephone, except for a medical or fire emergency.
Will my house collapse in an
earthquake?
Fortunately, most of us live in
wood-frame houses. In an earthquake, your wood-frame house might survive,
but your chimney, made of brick (not reinforced with rebar) might collapse.
What to avoid after an
earthquake?
-Do not waste food or
water as supplies may be interrupted.
-Do not light matches or turn on
light switches until you are sure there are no gas leaks or flammable liquids
spilled.
-Use a flashlight to check
utilities and do not shut them off unless damaged. Leaking gas will smell.
Why is it bad to go outside
during an earthquake?
Don't run outside. Trying to run in an earthquake
is dangerous, as the ground is moving and you can easily fall or be injured by
debris or glass. Running outside is especially dangerous, as glass, bricks, or
other building components may be falling. Again, you are much safer to stay
inside and get under a desk or table.
Is it safe to go under a doorway
during an earthquake?
In modern houses, doorways are
no stronger than any other part of the house, and the doorway does not protect
you from the most likely source of injury—falling or flying objects. You also
may not be able to brace yourself in the door during strong shaking. You
are safer under a desk or table.
How could you and your neighbors work together
during a disaster?
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Know your
neighbors (their names and number of individuals in each home)
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Make a
neighborhood map with their name(s), address, and contact information
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Create a
neighborhood communication plan.
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Know your
neighbors’ special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons.
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Make plans for
the care of children, if parents cannot get home.
§
Learn response
plans for children’s schools or child care facilities.
Where do I shelter-in-place?
- Take
immediate shelter wherever you are – home, work, school or in between –
rather than entering into a hazardous situation.
- Used
for situations such as severe storms, winter weather, biological
emergencies.
- Time
will vary; few hours to several days.
Do small earthquakes mean a big
one is coming?
Every time a small earthquake
happens, doesn't mean there is going to be a larger one.
Can you hear an earthquake
coming?
The low rumbling noise at the
beginning is P waves and the S waves' arrival is the big bang you
hear.
Can you feel an earthquake while
flying?
When people "hear" an
earthquake, they typically don't hear the seismic waves at all. Rather, they
discern the sound produced when seismic waves move through solid matter—such as
the rumbling of a building and its contents. You wouldn't hear the
earthquake from the aircraft, and you certainly wouldn't feel it.
Does the ground always shake in
an earthquake?
The seismic waves shake
the earth as they move through it, and when the waves reach the
earth's surface, they shake the ground and anything on it, like our houses and
us!
Is a 10.0 earthquake possible?
No, earthquakes of magnitude 10
or larger cannot happen. The magnitude of an earthquake is related to the
length of the fault on which it occurs. The largest earthquake ever recorded
was a magnitude 9.5 on May 22, 1960 in Chile on a fault that is almost 1,000
miles long…a “mega-quake” in its own right.
What state has never had
an earthquake?
According to the U.S.
Geological Survey's Earthquake Information Center, every state in the U.S. has
experienced an earthquake of one kind or another. It lists Florida and
North Dakota as the two states with the fewest earthquakes.
Is it safe to take a
shower after an earthquake?
Bathing or showering
after a water-related emergency should only be done with clean, safe
water. Sometimes water that is not safe to drink can be used for bathing, but
be careful not to swallow any water or get it in your eyes.
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A Motorist’s Guide to
Earthquake Safety Earthquakes
can occur in every region of the country, at any time of the year and
usually without warning. That could mean that you’re driving your car when
an earthquake strikes. If
you’re on the road when an earthquake occurs, follow these Safety Tips so
you can cope: Driving
During an Earthquake
• If
an earthquake occurs while you’re driving, slow down, look for an open area
to stop and pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. •
Avoid parking near or under bridges, overpasses, signs, building overhangs,
power lines, trees, or any other hazard that might fall onto your car. •
Turn off the engine, set the parking brake and stay seat-belted in your car
until the earthquake is over. • If
a power line falls on your vehicle, stay inside and wait until an emergency
worker removes the wire. Only leave your vehicle if staying inside poses an
immediate threat to the welfare of you or your passengers. Communication •
Turn on your radio and listen for official instructions, updates, warnings
and advice. Most stations will switch to emergency broadcasting, apprising
you of local conditions. •
Although your first instinct may be to contact friends and relatives, limit
your telephone usage unless you must report severe injuries or are in
immediate danger. Wireless service may quickly become compromised due to
high call volume and downed cell towers. You can help keep phone lines open
for emergency use by limiting all non-essential communication. The
Immediate Aftermath
•
Once the shaking stops, get out of your vehicle and assess any damage to
your car and the immediate vicinity. •
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. • Do
not drive your car, unless there is an emergency or until travel has been
cleared by the authorities. Remember, it may be safer to stay where you
are, particularly if there is chaos on the roads. Driving
After an Earthquake
Be
extremely cautious when driving after an earthquake. After large
earthquakes, expect tremors and aftershocks. Aftershocks can easily
dislodge concrete from damaged buildings and other structures. •
Avoid roadways, ramps and bridges that might have been damaged, even if
there isn’t any visible damage. •
Watch for cracks and breaks in the pavement and never drive over a downed
power line. •
Expect traffic light outages and road obstructions. •
Stay alert for panicked or distracted drivers around you . • If
you are driving in a mountainous or rocky area, be wary of the potential
for landslides onto the road. • Do
not go sightseeing through damaged areas. You will only interfere with the
relief effort. Keep streets clear for emergency vehicles. You can help
ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers by learning to prepare
for an earthquake and following a few simple safety tips. Also, if you live
in an area prone to earthquakes, consider keeping a Personal Emergency Kit
in your car. |
Visit:
Allstate Be Aware and Prepare for more information.
Rapid
Disaster Assessment Kit (RDAK)—A RDAK
will allow individuals to quickly canvas all households in neighborhoods and
surrounding areas for damage, blockage dangers, etc. and assess any possible
medical needs.
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Neighborhood Rapid Disaster
Assessment Kit www.ready.gov Instructions: 1. As people
come to the designated assembly place to receive assignments, pair them up
as teams, with at least two persons per team. 2. An
appointed scribe should record the names of those comprising a team on the Location
/ Team form, and the time the team went out to do their assessment for that
location. 3. Give the
team the packet(s) containing the map with their assigned location
highlighted in yellow, and the assessment sheets for each residence at that
location. 4. Give the
team a supply of colored ribbons that can be tied to doorknobs or
mailboxes, etc. to use to designate the assessment status of each residence
(matching the ribbon color to the color of the box checked on the form). 5. Upon
arrival at their assigned neighborhood location, team members should
attempt to talk to the residents living at each home and do the following: a) Confirm the names of those living at the
residence. b)
Check
the Life-Safety / Property Damage / Utilities issues. c)
Check
the appropriate BOX: (Need Help / No Response / OK). d)
Make any
additional comments. e)
Sign and
date the Assessment form. f)
Tie a
plastic ribbon so it can be seen from the street, indicating the assessment
status:
i.
Red - Need
Help
ii.
Yellow – No Response (The residence will need to
be checked again.)
iii.
Green – OK
(No major damage or injuries.) 6. After
completing the individual assessment form for all residences in the
location, team members will report back to the assembly place and give the
completed packet(s) back to the scribe. 7. The scribe
will record the time the team reported back in and note the assessed status
of each residence on the Location/Team form. 8.
CERT teams and Emergency Responders can be given the addresses where “Need
Help” is indicated. [The Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the
hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster
response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team
organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent,
nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that
professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing
them to focus on more complex tasks.] |
