The likelihood of you and your family surviving a house fire depends as much on having a working smoke detector and an exit strategy, as on a well-trained fire department.The same is true for surviving a terrorist attack or other emergency.We must have the tools and plans in place to make it on our own, at least for a period of time, no matter where we are when disaster strikes.Just like having a working smoke detector, preparing for the unexpected makes sense.Get ready now! Potential Threats Terrorists are working to obtain biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons, and the threat of an attack is very real. Here at the Department of Homeland Security, throughout the federal government, and at organizations across America, we are working hard to strengthen our Nation's security and to reduce our vulnerability to emergencies of all kinds. Whenever possible, we want to stop terrorist attacks before they happen. All Americans should begin a process of learning about potential threats so we are better prepared to react during an attack, natural disaster or other emergency. While there is no way to predict what will happen, or what your personal circumstances will be, there are simple things you can do now to prepare yourself and your loved ones. Some of the things you can do to prepare for a terrorist attack, such as assembling a supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency. However, as you will read below, there are important differences among potential terrorist threats that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. With a little planning and common sense, you can be better prepared for the unexpected. Emergency Supplies (click here for list) Just like having a working smoke detector in your home, having emergency supply kits will put the tools you may need at your fingertips. Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer. While there are many things that might make you more comfortable, think first about fresh water, food and clean air. Remember to include, and periodically rotate, medications you take every day such as insulin and heart medicine. Plan to store items in an easy-to-carry bag, such as a shopping bag, backpack or duffle bag. Consider two kits. In one, put everything you will need to stay where you are and make it on your own. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to get away.
Water: Store one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation in clean plastic containers. If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary.
Food: Store food that won't go bad and does not have to be heated or cooked. Choose foods that your family will eat, including protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, canned foods and juices, peanut butter, dried fruit, nuts, crackers and baby foods. Remember to pack a manual can opener, cups and eating utensils.
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. 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. Given the different types of attacks that could occur, there is not one solution for masking. For instance, simple cloth face masks can filter some of the airborne "junk" or germs you might breathe into your body, but will probably not protect you from chemical gases. Still, something over your nose and mouth in an emergency is better than nothing. Have heavyweight garbage bags or plastic sheeting, duct tape and scissors in your kit. You can use these things to tape up windows, doors and air vents if you need to seal off a room from outside contamination. Consider precutting and labeling these materials. Anything you can do in advance will save time when it counts. Basic Supplies: Store a flashlight, battery powered radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, utility knife, local map, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, soap, garbage bags and other sanitation supplies, plastic sheeting, duct tape, as well as extra cash and identification. Periodically rotate your extra batteries to be sure they work when you need them. Warmth: If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Have warm clothing for each family member in your supply kit, including a jacket or coat, long pants, a long sleeve shirt, sturdy shoes, a hat and gloves. Have a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Special Items: Think about your family's unique needs. Pack diapers, formula, bottles, prescription medications, pet food, comfort items, books, paper, pens, a deck of cards or other forms of entertainment. Click here for: RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES TO INCLUDE IN A BASIC KIT You should plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. Be prepared to assess the situation, use common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Think about the places where your family spends time: school, work and other places you frequent. Ask about their emergency plans. Find out how they will communicate with families during an emergency. If they do not have an emergency plan, consider helping develop one. Develop a Family Communications Plan: Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations. Consider a plan where each family member calls, or e-mails, the same friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Be sure each person knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. You may have trouble getting through, or the phone system may be down altogether, but be patient. Deciding to Stay or Go: Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the attack, the first important decision is whether you stay put or get away. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and available information, including what you are learning here, to determine if there is immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities’ may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for information or official instructions as it becomes available. If you're specifically told to evacuate or seek medical treatment, do so immediately. Staying Put and "Shelter•in•Place" Whether you are at home, work or elsewhere, there may be situations when it's simply best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside. In fact, there are some circumstances where staying put and creating a barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside, a process known as sheltering in place and sealing the room, is a matter of survival. Plan in advance where you will take shelter in this kind of an emergency. Choose an interior room or one with as few windows and doors as possible. Consider precutting plastic sheeting to seal windows, doors and air vents. Each piece should be several inches larger than the space you want to cover so that it lies flat against the wall. Label each piece with the location of where it fits.
Use available information to assess the situation. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to shelter-in-place and seal the room. Quickly bring your family and pets inside, lock doors, and close windows, air vents and fireplace dampers. Turn off air conditioning, forced air heating systems, exhaust fans and clothes dryers. Take your emergency supplies and go into the room you have designated. Seal all windows, doors and vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape or anything else you have on hand. Listen to the TV, the radio, or check the Internet for instructions. Getting Away: There may be conditions under which you will decide to get away, or there may be situations when you are ordered to leave. Plan in advance how you will assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. If you have a car, keep at least a half tank of gas in it at all times. Become familiar with alternate routes as well as other means of transportation out of your area. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. Take your emergency supply kit, unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated, and lock the door behind you. Take pets with you if you are told to evacuate; however, if you are going to a public shelter, keep in mind that they may not be allowed inside. If you believe the air may be contaminated, drive with your windows and vents closed and keep the air conditioning and heater turned off. Working Together: Schools, daycare providers, workplaces, neighborhoods and apartment buildings, like individuals and families, should all have site-specific emergency plans. Ask about plans at the places where your family spends time: work, school and other places you frequent. If none exist, consider volunteering to help develop one. You will be better prepared to reunite your family and loved ones safely during an emergency if you think ahead, and communicate with others in advance. Neighborhoods and Apartment Buildings: A community working together during an emergency also makes sense. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together. 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 backup plans for children in case you can't get home in an emergency. Sharing plans and communicating in advance is a good strategy. Schools and Daycare: If you are a parent, or guardian of an elderly or disabled adult, make sure schools or daycare providers have emergency response plans. Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis. Do they store adequate food, water and other emergency supplies? Find out if they are prepared to "shelter-in-place" if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away. Employers: If you are an employer, make sure your workplace has a building evacuation plan that is regularly practiced. Take a critical look at your heating ventilation and air-conditioning system to determine if it is secure or if it could be feasibly upgraded to better filter potential contaminants. Be sure you, and others, know how to turn off the system if necessary. Think about what to do if your employees can't go home, and make sure you have appropriate supplies on hand. Click here to see (“Specific Terrorist Threats”) Ways to Get Involved: Talk to Ken Ford regarding the Bridge Community Church Emergency Preparedness Plan and how you can help, or: Join Citizen Corps Today. Citizen Corps actively involves citizens in making our communities and our nation safer, stronger, and better prepared. We all have a role to play in keeping our hometowns secure from emergencies of all kinds. Citizen Corps works hard to help people prepare, train, and volunteer in their communities. What role will you play? Being ready starts with you, but it also takes everyone working together to make our communities safer. Citizen Corps provides a variety of opportunities for you to get involved. You can provide valuable assistance to local fire stations, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and emergency management. Get connected to disaster volunteer groups through your local Citizen Corps Council, so that when something happens, you can help in an organized manner. Citizen Corps programs build on the successful efforts that are in place in many communities around the country to prevent crime and respond to emergencies. You can join the Citizen Corps community by: • Volunteering for local law enforcement agencies through the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program; • Being part of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to help people immediately after a disaster and to assist emergency responders; • Joining a Neighborhood Watch group to help with terrorism awareness and neighborhood emergency preparedness; • Volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps to provide public health and medical support; • Providing fire safety and prevention education in the community and helping out at your local fire station through Fire Corps; • Helping others get prepared, especially those with special needs. It starts with you. There are no limits to how you can prepare and train for emergencies. All over America, communities have organized Citizen Corps Councils to inspire citizens to take action and get involved in hometown preparedness. Contact your local Council by going to www.citizencorps.gov and click on the homepage link to find the Council nearest you. Prepare. Train. Volunteer ... Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions from the authorities on the scene. Above all, stay calm, be patient and think before you act.With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. If you have a working smoke detector, you understand that preparing makes sense. Get ready now. Use the tool below to get started today. Family Communications Plan Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations. Print this form and fill out the following information: Out of Town Contact Name: ______________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________ Telephone Number: ____________________________________________ Telephone Number: ____________________________________________ Fill out the following information for each family member and keep it up to date. Name: ____________________________________DOB_______________ Social Security Number: _________________________________________ Important Medical Information: ____________________________________ Name: ____________________________________DOB_______________ Social Security Number: _________________________________________ Important Medical Information: ____________________________________ Name: ____________________________________DOB_______________ Social Security Number: _________________________________________ Important Medical Information: ____________________________________ Name: ____________________________________DOB_______________ Social Security Number: _________________________________________ Important Medical Information: ____________________________________ Name: ____________________________________DOB_______________ Social Security Number: _________________________________________ Important Medical Information: ____________________________________ Name: ____________________________________DOB_______________ Social Security Number: _________________________________________ Important Medical Information: ____________________________________ Name: ____________________________________DOB_______________ Social Security Number: _________________________________________ Important Medical Information: ____________________________________ Name: ____________________________________DOB_______________ Social Security Number: _________________________________________ Important Medical Information: ____________________________________ Where to go in an emergency. Write down where your family spends the most time: work, school and other places you frequent. Schools, daycare providers, workplaces and apartment buildings should all have site-specific emergency plans. Home Address: _______________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________ Neighborhood Meeting Place: ______________________________________ Regional Meeting Place: __________________________________________ Work Address: ______________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________ Evacuation Location: _____________________________________________ Work Address: ______________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________ Evacuation Location: _____________________________________________ School Address: ______________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________ Evacuation Location: _____________________________________________ School Address: ______________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________ Evacuation Location: _____________________________________________ School Address: ______________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________ Evacuation Location: _____________________________________________ Other place you frequent: Address: ______________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________ Evacuation Location: _____________________________________________ Other place you frequent: Address: ______________________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________ Evacuation Location: _____________________________________________ Doctor(s): Name: ________________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________________________________________ Policy #: _______________________________________________________ Pharmacist: Name: ________________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________________________________________ Policy #: _______________________________________________________ Medical Insurance: Name: ________________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________________________________________ Policy #: _______________________________________________________ Homeowners/Rental Insurance: Name: ________________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________________________________________ Policy #: _______________________________________________________ Veterinarian/Kennel (for pets): Name: ________________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________________________________________ Policy #: _______________________________________________________ Other useful phone numbers: 9-1-1 for emergencies Police Non-Emergency Phone #: _______________________________________
Bridge Community Church - Loving God and Loving People
