Terrorism, Preparing for the Unexpected - Part 5

If Disaster Strikes,

A Word on What Could Happen, and

Evacuation

If Disaster Strikes -

• Remain calm and be patient.
• Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
• Listen to your radio or television for news and instructions.
• If the disaster occurs near you, check for injuries. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
• If the disaster occurs near your home while you are there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches. Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
• Shut off any other damaged utilities.
• Confine or secure your pets.
• Call your family contact--do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
• Check on your neighbors, especially those living alone, elderly or disabled.

A Word on What Could Happen - As we learned from the events of September 11, 2001, the following things can happen after a terrorist attack:

• There can be significant numbers of casualties and/or damage to buildings and the infrastructure. So employers need up-to-date information about any medical needs you may have and on how to contact your designated beneficiaries.
• Heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels follows a terrorist attack due to the event's criminal nature.
• Health and mental health resources in the affected communities can be strained their limits, maybe even overwhelmed.
• Extensive media coverage, strong public fear and international implications and consequences can continue for a prolonged period.
• Workplaces and schools may be closed, and there may be restrrictions on domestic and international travel.
• You and your family or household may have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads blocked for your safety.
• Clean-up may take many months.

Evacuation - If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request, and you should heed the advice immediately. Listen to your radio or TV, follow the instructions of local emergency officials and keep those simple tips in mind--

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
• Take your disaster supplies kit.
• Take your pets with you; do not leave them behind. Because pets are not pemitted in public shelters, follow your plan to go to a relative's or friend's home, or find a "pet-friendly" hotel.
• Lock your home.
• Use travel routs specified by local authorities--don't' use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous. [Karin - scout out and find an alternative]
• Stay away from downed power lines.

[With that said - let me interject here. Evacuation? Do you have sanitation items? Porta-potty? Water stored to drink? A food supply? Alternative power and lights? If you're prepared then I would stay put. The authorities let people int he Katrina area stay as long as they put up black plastic so that raiders and wanderers didn't know anyone was home. So I would also add - protection - a firearm is a great tool to foil home looters. We'll discuss this more in Part 6]

--taken from American Red Cross Disaster Services

I would strongly suggest that you seriously go over every bullet listed above and make sure that you and your family understand what is said.

For instance the first bullet says, "Remain calm and be patient." If you are prepared, they you will not fear.

The second and third bullets instruct you to listen to local emergency officials and listen to your radio or television. Do you have a battery or solar operated radio?

Prepare like it will happen tomorrow, and then you will live with peace of mind.

~Karin