Civil – unrest such as transportation strikes or terrorist attacks.
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1993 WTC Response |
2001 WTC Attack; People Evacuating |
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Personal Survival Plan
No matter where you are, you should know what to do, who to call and where to go in the event of an emergency. During and directly following a major event, emergency personnel may not be able to reach you for some time and you may not be able to access essential services. It is important to create and review regularly (at least two to three times a year) an emergency plan for you and your family at home and for work or school. Following, are some tips on beginning to develop such a plan.
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Your Home – A home emergency plan for you and your family should include a communication system, disaster supply kits (see shelter kit section for a check list), and a meeting place. It is recommended that you identify a friend or family member outside of the state you live in as an emergency contact. Should local communications systems malfunction as a result of a disaster, the out-of-town contact can serve as the primary communication source for your family. Everyone in the family should have the contact number of the point person.
At times, disasters strike when most family members are not at home. For this reason, you should establish a meeting place and procedure. Be sure all family members know the address and how to get there. Keep in mind that Nassau County has limited roadways. Allow time for reunions to occur.
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Disaster Survival Kit
Whether sheltering in-place or evacuating to a local shelter, it is important to have essential items already prepared to either self-sustain at home or take with you to the shelter. If you are sheltering in-place, each individual must plan to be self-sustaining for up to 72 hours, but in reality assistance may be available sooner.
Consider the following items when assembling a disaster kit:
• Toiletries
• Flashlight, portable radio, extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Prescription/life-sustaining medications (five to seven day supply)
• Non-perishable canned or packaged food and non-electric can opener
• Water (one gallon per person per day)
• Childcare items (food, diapers, etc.)
• Checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM card
• Auxiliary medical equipment (i.e., oxygen, scooter battery, hearing aid)
• List of all emergency contacts, doctors, current medications
• Medical alert bracelet
• Portable cooler with ice
• Plastic garbage bags
• Plywood or other shuttering material for windows during storms
Consider these additional items when preparing to evacuate to a shelter:
• Important papers (valid identification, proof of address, insurance policy, etc.)
• Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows
• Extra clothing, infant necessities, rain gear
• Rehabilitative and auxiliary devices (hearing aids, glasses, cane, walker, dentures)
• Sturdy/hard-soled shoes
• A cell phone with spare batteries
If you are evacuating to a shelter, before you leave:
• Secure windows and shutters with plywood for storm emergencies
• Secure patio furniture
• Top-off car gas tank
• Turn off electricity at main switch
• Shut gas valve at the appliance, not the main
• Let friends, relatives or neighbors know where you are going
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Protecting Service Animals and Pets
Pets are not allowed in shelters. It is crucial that you make sheltering plans for your own pet(s). Contact the Pet Safe Coalition Inc. to learn more about sheltering in an evacuation emergency. Pet Safe Coalition can be reached at 516-676-0808 or www.petsafecoalition.org. Only working “service” animals are allowed in Nassau County shelters but you must have your own water, food, medicines, toys and other necessities for your “service” animal.
The following are tips on how to keep your pet safe:
• Be sure your pet and/or service animal has identification tags, proof of up-to-date vaccinations, and veterinarian contact information.
• Do not leave your pet outside or tied up during a natural disaster.
• Make sure you have a pet carrier and a leash.
• Stock up on pet food and other necessities (such as cat litter and medications)
• Contact Pet Safe Coalition for information on sheltering pets during a disaster.
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Where You Work – Every workplace should have an evacuation plan and emergency procedures. Ask your employer for information on evacuation routes, company and building policies and if they are aware of certain standards. For example, the National Fire Protection Association (businesses) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (hospitals) have set work place standards.
Become familiar with your workplace evacuation plan and practice it. In addition, you may want to have a few essential items with you in the event you have to either remain at work for a period of time or are evacuated to a shelter. Essential items may include extra medications, toiletries, small flashlight, extra batteries, etc.
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School – Like work, every school should have an emergency evacuation plan in place; the State Board of Education has standards for school emergency plans as well. Establish a communication system with your child(ren) that takes into account school emergency plans and evacuation procedures. Form a parental/teacher emergency preparedness task force at your local school to improve school plans and better coordinate efforts and communications during a disaster. If you have children with special needs in school, become familiar with the plan considering additional accommodations you or your child may require. Work with your school to ensure they understand your child’s special needs and develop an emergency response system that makes sense.
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People with Disabilities and Seniors - For people with special needs, knowing what your specific accommodations are may increase personal safety. For example, if you have a service animal, it is important to prepare a shelter kit for the animal as well as for yourself. If you are hard of hearing, you need to have additional batteries for auxiliary aids. You may also need to make accommodations for communication and accessing information. If you have a homecare attendant, you should develop a plan in coordination with your caretaker. Also, check with your agency to see if they have emergency plans. Confirm all arrangements for continued service with your provider and speak with your physician about emergency prescription refills.
In the work place, you will need to consider accommodations given your particular disability or other special needs. Work with your employer to review safety plans and evacuation procedures to ensure your particular disability is taken into account. Review these plans frequently with your employer and co-workers.
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Temporary Emergency Shelters
Depending on the emergency, at times you may need to seek refuge. Your first plan should always be with friends or family. Nassau County and Red Cross may also open emergency shelters. In natural emergency situations, such as hurricanes or snowstorms, emergency shelters will often be open in advance of the pending storm. The Office of Emergency Management will announce the location of emergency shelters through the media. Shelter locations are usually dependant on the type of event.
In other situations, such as terrorism, you may be instructed to shelter in-place, meaning you will need to stay in your home until further notified. You may be directed to secure your home temporarily by sealing windows and doorways. Continue to monitor media so you know when it is safe to remove window and door seals.
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Accessing Emergency Information
Always monitor local TV and radio for latest public information before, during and after an emergency. Identify a neighbor, friend or family member who can assist if these outlets are unavailable to you. Do not call 911 for general information; 911 is for life threatening emergencies only.
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Tidal Surge Map
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