WHAT TO DO WHEN IT’S UP TO YOU. COUNTING TO TEN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Family Campers and RVers 2011

Family Campers and RVers 2011

WHAT TO DOWHEN IT’S UP TO YOU .

COUNTING TO TEN

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


DISASTER COMES IN MANY FORMS

Natural crisis (weather emergencies) Fires

Floods Tornados

Earthquakes

Man made crisis Terrorism Violence

Accidents

Personal crisis Illness

Financial or property crisis


KEYS TO SURVIVAL

PreparationPutting it together

PerformanceKeeping it together


Information taken from FEMA Publication

ARE YOU READY?

An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness

A downloadable bookletFrom the FEMA website

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/areyouready_full.pdf


It can happen to you

The people in Joplin, Missouri, did not expect their town to be destroyed in 15 minutes.

The people in Washington, D.C., did not expect an earthquake to disrupt their day.

The people in Vermont did not expect that a hurricane could cause such widespread destruction in their location.

EXPECTED OR UNEXPECTED

IT HAPPENED


PREPARATION PREVENTS PANIC

You cannot “plan” during an acute crisis,

so planning has to occur ahead of time.

During a crisis, put plans into action


SURVIVAL BEGINS WITH PREPARATION

Survival Kit in place Emergency plans Communication Strategies Shelter in Place… when and how Evacuation plans… when and how

www.Ready.gov

http://www.ready.gov/


PUTTING IT TOGETHER

HAVE A SURVIVAL KIT IN PLACE

Everything essential for at least 3 days.

FOOD and WATERFIRST AID and MEDICATION

WARMTHAIR

COMMUNICATIONSANITATION


HAVE PERSONAL “READY-BAGS” FOR EVERYONE

IN INDIVIDUAL BACKPACKS, LOADChange of clothingContainer of waterGranola or other stable, nutritional food itemsWhistleFlashlightPhone numbers of family contact personEssential medicationAnything specifically needed (diapers, formula, etc.)


FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN

Identify an out-of town contact

with whom family members who are separated by an emergency can communicate.

Prepare family members with the phone number

Coins or a prepaid phone card Make sure to tell your family and friends that

you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.


STAY OR GO?

The first important decision is whether you Stay where you are

Evacuate

You should understand and plan for both possibilities.

Depends on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency

Use common sense and available information.

Watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet for information or official instruction

as it becomes available


SHELTER IN PLACE

SometimesThe best option

is to stay where you are


SHELTER IN PLACE

Why?Protection against

CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICALRADIATION

threat


SHELTER IN PLACE

Where?

an interior room with few windows, if possible

Chemical, biological or radiological agentsMay descend to lowest levels,

So the room should NOT be in the lower building levels.


SHELTER IN PLACE

Prepare ahead of time

Select the room

Precut plastic sheeting to coverAll vents and door/window cracks

Have emergency supply kit handy


SHELTER IN PLACE

How?When you need to shelter

Lock doorsClose windows, air vents and fireplace dampers.

Turn off fans, air conditioning and forced air heating systems.

Seal windows, doors and air vents with plastic sheeting and duct

tape. Create a barrier between yourself and any contamination.


SHELTER IN PLACE

How long?Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening

Watch TV listen to the radio

or check the Internet often for official news and instructions

as they become available.

More likely in terms of hours rather than days.


EVACUATION

Sometimesthe best option

is to go somewhere else


EVACUATION

PLAN AHEAD

Plan meeting places for your familywithin and outside of your immediate neighborhood.

Keep a half tank of gas in the car at all times in case you need to evacuate.

Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.

If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to.


EVACUATION

WHEN ADVISED TO EVACUATEDo not delay

Leave early to avoid most congestion.

Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated.

Lock the door behind you.

Follow the advised routes. “Short Cuts” may be blocked or damaged.

Take your pets with you, (Know that only service animals may be permitted in public

shelters.) Plan ahead how you will care for your pets in an emergency.


EVACUATION

IF THERE IS TIMEInform your "out-of-state" contact

of your evacuation plans

If you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.

Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.

Check with neighbors who may need a ride.


TURNING OFF UTILITIES

WHEN to turn off utilities If there is damage to your home

Authorities advise you to turn off your utilities

HOW to turn off utilitiesLocate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off

valves. Teach family members how to turn off utilities.

If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself.


NEIGHBORHOOD PREPARATION

Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together during an emergency.

Find out if anyone has specialized equipment like a power generator

or expertise such as medical knowledge, that might help in a crisis.

Decide who will check on elderly or disabled neighbors.

Make back-up plans for children in case you can't get home in an emergency.


BECOME EDUCATED

Knowing what to do during the

initial moments

during an emergency is an important part of being

prepared and may make all the difference

when seconds count.


BECOME EDUCATED

Some preparations are the same no matter what the emergency

making an emergency supply kit

developing a family communications plan


BECOME EDUCATED

However, there are important differences among potential emergencies

that will impact

the decisions you make and

the actions you take.

Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live

and the appropriate way to respond to them.


BECOME EDUCATED

Learn about the emergency plans established in your area

by your state and local government.

Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared

and may make all the difference when seconds count.

Consider becoming C.E.R.T. certified.


C.E.R.T.

CITIZEN’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

CERT training teaches skillsthat people can use

to safely helpwhile waiting for responders


C.E.R.T.


If a disaster happensthat overwhelms local response capability,

CERT members are trained to

Give critical support to those in their immediate area

until help arrives.

Provide useful information to responders and support their effort at the disaster

site.


C.E.R.T.


In non-disaster situations, CERT members assist with non-emergency projects

that improve the safety of the community.

Distribute and/or install smoke alarms

Replace smoke alarm batteries in the homes of elderly

distribute disaster education material

provide services at special events, such as parades, sporting events, concerts etc.


C.E.R.T.

For further information on this programAnd how you can find your local training opportunities,

Go to

www.citizencorps.gov


When preparation counts:KEEPING IT TOGETHER

With all the preparation in place, the “rubber meets the road” when the emergency

hits.

Survival depends on how you utilize the preparations.

In many ways, it depends on

AttitudeDecisive ActionMaking Choices


LUCK IS UNRELIABLE

Victim or Survivor?

How you have planned dictates how you proceed.

How you proceed is what makes the difference.

Think Act Survive


EMOTIONAL PHASES OF SURVIVAL

After a disaster, the mind goes through several defined phases

Impact phase (little or no emotion)Do what you have to do

Inventory phase (assess situation, make “functional” relationships.)

Rescue Phase (take direction from others or take charge)

Recovery phase(There may be a reaction against rescuers)


IMPACT PHASE

Something has happened.You may not yet know what.

All is confusion.

You can PANIC

Or you can REMAIN CALM


Keys to staying calm in a crisis

You cannot change what has happened. Looking back has no place in an emergency.

There are three keysin taking charge of emotions

Preparation Prevents Panic

Count on Staying Calm

Breathe Deeply


COUNT ON STAYING CALM

You’ve heard “count to ten”

as a means of managing anger

The brain functions both emotionally and logically.

Both functions can occur at the same time, but one “takes charge.”

By COUNTING you are forcing the logical part of the brain to get in

gear and are making the emotional part less prominent.


COUNT ON STAYING CALM

Checklists are a form of counting.

So in an emergency settingPulling out a prepared checklist

Guides what needs to be doneAND

Helps calmness to prevail


BREATHE DEEPLY

Provides more oxygen to the brainwhich will

reduce Anxiety.

“count your breaths”(Get double benefit)

Avoid hyperventilation.


PRIORITIES

Your first concern after a disaster is your family’s

health and safety.You cannot be effective helping others if

you are worried about your own.


DO NOT ADD TO THE DISASTER BY BECOMING A VICTIM

Protect yourself from injury.Wear Sturdy boots/gloves if available.

Keep hydrated.Wash hands thoroughly and often.

Be aware of exhaustion.

PRIORITIES


BECOME A LEADER

There is chaos in any emergency.

SOMEONE needs to take charge.SOMEONE needs to become the leader.

If you are prepared, that SOMEONE could be

YOU!


BECOME A LEADER

Be aware Become familiar with the areas around you.

Know evacuation routes and available shelter.Know what type of shelter is needed for specific

emergencies

Stay CalmCount and Breathe

Keep your head in controlDo not take foolish chances


BECOME A LEADER

Be aware of specific needs of those around you.

Communicate

Listen to suggestions

Rely on preparedness of those around you


BECOME A LEADER

Delegate duties

Being involved helps to dispel panic

Once you know what needs to be done, communicate specifically

Use plain language: keep simple and straightforward

Trust others to do their part


BECOME A LEADER

Control the flow of information

Never lieFocus on the facts

Keep as informed as possibleLimit news exposure to those prone to

panic


COPING WITH DISASTER

Remember that personalities are different React differently to

stress fear

fatigue

Be prepared to deal with human nature.Keep your own emotions in check.



Emotional toll can exceed the physical toll.

Everyone is affected in some way.

Everyone responds differently May cause conflicts

“Normal” responses are • Sadness• Grief• Anger



WHO IS AT RISK?Anyone directly affected by the

disaster.At special risk: children and elderly.Those who have witnessed the

disaster.Those sensitive individuals who have

been bombarded with media coverage of the disaster.


THINK—ACT--SURVIVE

Some respond with panic

Some respond by shutting down

Delay can be fatal, but so can overreaction.



Self-injury or

Suicide may be a delayed response to crisis.



AFTER THE ACUTE CRISISMaintain normal family and daily routine as

much as possibleEat healthy, rest, exercise, meditateParticipate in memorials (“closure”)Talk with someone about your feelingsSeek help from professional crisis

counselors, support groupsBe realistic (don’t blame yourself or feel

frustrated because you can’t “do more”.)


HELPING OTHERS

COMPASSION IS ONE WAY OF COPING.


Guidelines on Giving

VOLUNTEERCheck with local organizations or Listen

to local new reports for information on• Where help is needed• What kind of help is needed

UNTIL VOLUNTEERS ARE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED,

stay away from disaster areas.



SUPPLIESBring your own food, water and

emergency supplies to a disaster area if you are needed there.

Don’t expect these supplies to be provided for you, especially if a large area has been affected.



Give only to recognized disaster relief organizations.

These organizations are prepared to process checks, purchase what is needed and get it to the people who need it most.

Do not give to door-to-door con artists who claim to be part of a

major disaster fund-raising organization



Do not drop off food, clothing or other items to a government agency or disaster relief organization

unless specifically requested.

These agencies do not have the resources

to sort through donated items



If donating items

such as non-perishable food, Donate a quantity of a given item rather

than a mix of different items. Determine where your donation is going,

how it will get there, who will unload it, how it will be distributed.

WITHOUT SUFFICIENT PLANNING,MUCH NEEDED SUPPLIES WILL BE LEFT

UNUSED.


SUMMARY

The best way to survive a disaster is to prepare for disaster.

Preparation allows you to cope with the immediate situation before professional help arrives.

Coping with the aftermath of disaster may be as difficult as coping with the disaster itself.

Helping others should be done with planning as well so that it doesn’t increase risk or interfere with recovery efforts.

Disasters bring out both the best and the worst of society: beware of scam artists.


Serenity prayer

Change what I can

Accept what I cannot

Know the difference

Documents

WHAT TO DO WHEN IT’S UP TO YOU. COUNTING TO TEN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Family Campers and RVers 2011