Family Emergency Plan

Family Emergency Plan

Introduction

Every family needs an emergency plan, whether it is for a home fire, a damaging tornado or more catastrophic event such as a massive flood or earthquake. This document outlines how our family will function in such events.

Purpose

This plan covers how our family would respond to several event types to provide for safety of the family, first and foremost, how communications would be kept with other family members, and actions that will be taken by our family.

Situation and Assumptions

Several different actions might be required depending on the event and some actions are associated with only certain types of events. The event would cause some level of disarray within the family, both locally as well as extended family.

It is assumed that family members may be separated in certain circumstances, such as a tornado, and would require communications to reunite.

Roles and Responsibilities

Each family member should be familiar with what their actions would be in the event of an emergency.

Concept of Operations

Preparedness

Prepare the stockpile of food, water, first aid and other supplies that are needed by our family. Don’t forget the pet(s).

Prepare kits for the family vehicles. We may not be at home when the emergency occurs.

Our neighborhood meeting location will be ______.

Prepare a “Go Bag” that is readily available if an emergency requires quick evacuation from home or the area. Have a designated meeting point that is out of harm’s way in the event family members must depart separately. Have available road maps that can show alternative means of reaching the destination.

Primary meeting location:______

______

Secondary meeting location:______

______

Establish primary and secondary Out-of-State Contacts. During disasters, it may be easier to call someone outside the local calling area. This (these) contacts will serve as a single point of contact for keeping other family members informed of the status of our family during an emergency.

Primary Out-of-State Contact:Who: ______

Telephone: ______

Secondary Out-of-State Contact:Who: ______

Telephone: ______

(Optional) Establish a website where family members and others who are invited can check the status of our family. This can be through a Yahoo group ( or similar service. The address to send a message to the group is: ______.

In the event that childcare is required during an event, ______is available to help and can be contacted at ______or ______.

Other important telephone numbers are:

Important Information / Name / Telephone # / Policy #
Doctor(s):
Other:
Pharmacist:
Medical Insurance:
Homeowners/Rental Insurance:
Veterinarian/Kennel (for pets):

The Family Communications Plan at the end of the plan contains important information for the family and must be kept up to date.

Actions

Fire

In the event of a fire, the family must evacuate the house immediately and meet at the entrance to the driveway.

Call 911 if you have your cell phone or go to a neighbor’s and have them call 911.

DO NOT GO BACK IN THE HOUSE!

If away from home at the time of the fire and we cannot get to our home, we will meet at our neighborhood meeting location.

Tornado

If there is a tornado warning while at home, go to ______

______. We will continue to monitor the news and/or weather radio for additional information.

If at school or work, follow instructions of your teacher or others responsible for sheltering in place.

If a tornado touches down and causes damage and telephone service is disrupted, contact the out-of-state contact to let them know your how we are and where we are. Post similar information to the website group if possible.

Significant damage may cause power to be lost for an extended period of time even if our own home is undamaged. During such times it may be necessary for us to shelter in place at home, using our own supplies. We will do so if it is safe. If not we will take our “Go Bags” and evacuate to a public shelter or one of our meeting locations, depending on accessibility.

If away from home at the time of the tornado and we cannot get to our home, we will meet at our neighborhood meeting location.

If our house is damaged, we will attempt to cover the damaged area(s) to protect it from further damage and secure the house as best we can. We will call our insurance company to report the damage and give them information about how we can be contacted. The insurance company may give us instructions regarding temporary housing and other recovery information.

Flood

In the event of flash flooding, we will evacuate to a location that is high enough to avoid the rising water. Be sure and take our “Go Bags”. We will go to the primary meeting location if it is accessible. If not, we will go to the secondary meeting location if it is accessible. If neither location is accessible, we will go to the nearest public shelter that is opened. (Listen to the radio for information about shelters being opened.)

We will contact the out-of-state contact to let them know your how we are and where we are. We will post similar information to the website group if possible.

If our house is damaged, we will attempt to protect it from further damage and secure the house as best we can. We will call our insurance company to report the damage and give them information about how we can be contacted. The insurance company may give us instructions regarding temporary housing and other recovery information.

Hurricane

Hurricanes can cause significant damage, even far inland. Hurricanes can result in high winds and heavy rain which can cause flash flooding. In addition, hurricanes often spin off tornados. If there are tornado warnings while at home, we will go to ______

______. We will continue to monitor the news and/or weather radio for additional information.

If at school or work, follow instructions of your teacher or others responsible for sheltering in place.

Damage can result from all three effects of hurricane activity and may force us to shelter in place and/or evacuate our home.

We will contact our out-of-state contact to let them know your how we are and where we are. We will post similar information to the website group if possible.

Pandemic Influenza

During a flu pandemic, we may not be able to see a doctor because they are so busy and overwhelmed. We will do our best to take care of ourselves using medicines we have in our first aid kit and drinking plenty of fluids, the normal things we do when we have the flu.

Since we may have problems with other services and with being able to purchase food, we may have to use our stored foods and water.

As far as we can, we will stay at home and minimize our contact with others to try and prevent contracting the flu. We won’t go to school, church or work unless absolutely necessary. We will designate one person to take care of errands that may be required, such as obtaining medicines and food. If anyone must continue to work, they will be the one to run the errands.

When anyone leaves the house, they will wear a protective mask to minimize their exposure. They will wear latex gloves for this same reason. When they come home, they will shed their outer clothes, wash their exposed skin and dispose of any contaminated items. The clothes will be washed in hot water to remove any contaminates.

If anyone at home gets sick, they will be kept away from the rest of the family. Whoever is designated to care for the sick family member(s) will wear a protective mask and wear latex gloves when tending to the sick person(s). Once done, the care giver will wash their hands thoroughly after removing the protective equipment.

Childcare may be an issue during a pandemic event as schools and daycare centers may be closed. Alternatives should be planned such as extended family, neighbors, churches, etc.

We will do a lot of praying!

Recovery

After an event, all items consumed from the family supplies should be replenished. If items were identified during an event that should be included, add them to your list and to your supplies.

If there are things that should be done differently, make changes to the plan.

Logistics

During emergencies, we will minimize the amount of travel. This helps conserve fuel in the case of major impacts to the supply of gasoline. We will plan trips to maximize the results, making complete shopping lists so we don’t make more trips than necessary.

We will minimize the use of the telephone so emergency calls can get through.

Plan Development and Maintenance

The plan should be reviewed by the family at least once a year to make sure any family changes are incorporated into the plan. A new child or other family changes may take place that must to be considered.

After an event, if there are things that should be done differently, make changes to the plan to reflect those actions that should have been taken.

References

There are many references that can be used in family emergency preparedness. Some of them are listed here.

Be Ready Campaign /
Citizens Corps /
Federal Emergency Management Agency /
Noational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration /
National Weather Service /
American Red Cross /
Facing Fear Together /
Vial of Life /

Appendices

Basic Emergency Supply Kit (
Water & Food (
Portable Kit (
First Aid Kit (
Clean Air (
Personal Workplace Disaster Kit (American Red Cross)
Shelter-in-Place (American Red Cross)
Special Needs Items (
Pet Items ( plus)
Family Communications Plan

Basic Emergency Supply Kit

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit ( developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information
Cash or traveler's checks and change
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container - Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil

Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Water & Food

Water

One gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation.
Children, nursing mothers, and sick people may need more water.
If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary.
Store water tightly in clean plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.
Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person.

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
Pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.
Choose foods your family will eat.
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
Protein or fruit bars
Dry cereal or granola
Peanut butter
Dried fruit
Nuts
Crackers
Canned juices
Non-perishable pasteurized milk
High energy foods
Vitamins
Food for infants
Comfort/stress foods

Portable Kit

Emergency Supplies

Water, food, and clean air are the essential items for survival. Each family or individual's kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infant formula. It should also be customized to include important family documents.

Recommended Supplies to Include in a Portable Kit:

Water, amounts for portable kits will vary. Individuals should determine what amount they are able to both store comfortably outside the home and be able to transport to other locations
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First Aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
Moist towelettes for sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Unique family needs, such as daily prescription medications, infant formula or diapers, and important family documents

Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

First Aid Kit

In any emergency a family member or you yourself may be cut, burned or suffer other injuries. If you have these basic supplies you are better prepared to help your loved ones when they are hurt. Remember, many injuries are not life threatening and do not require immediate medical attention. Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in an emergency. Consider taking a first aid class, but simply having the following things can help you stop bleeding, prevent infection and assist in decontamination.

Things you should have:

Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex).
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Burn ointment to prevent infection.
Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant.
Thermometer
Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

Things it may be good to have:

Scissors
Tweezers
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Non-prescription drugs:

Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for upset stomach)
Laxative

Clean Air

Many potential terrorist attacks could send tiny microscopic "junk" into the air. For example, an explosion may release very fine debris that can cause lung damage. A biological attack may release germs that can make you sick if inhaled or absorbed through open cuts. Many of these agents can only hurt you if they get into your body, so think about creating a barrier between yourself and any contamination.

Nose and Mouth Protection

Face masks or dense-weave cotton material, that snugly covers your nose and mouth and is specifically fit for each member of the family. Do whatever you can to make the best fit possible for children.

Be prepared to improvise with what you have on hand to protect your nose, mouth, eyes and cuts in your skin. Anything that fits snugly over your nose and mouth, including any dense-weave cotton material, can help filter contaminants in an emergency. It is very important that most of the air you breathe comes through the mask or cloth, not around it. Do whatever you can to make the best fit possible for children. There are also a variety of face masks readily available in hardware stores that are rated based on how small a particle they can filter in an industrial setting.