QUICK START

1. Make A Plan

• Family Disaster Plan
• Home Emergency Status
• Family Communication Plan
• Water Storage
• Sheltering
• Home Hazard Hunt
• Important Documents

Important things to consider in an emergency family plan:

• Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

Contacts:

• 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. Ask an out-of-state friend to be your family out of town contact. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance. Be sure every member of your family 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 telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient.

Other Plans in Place:

• Find out what disaster plans are in place at your work, your children's school and other places your family spends time. Discuss preparedness with your family. Make sure you all understand what types of disasters can occur and what you will do in each case.

Escape routes:

• Determine two escape routes from each room in your home

Meeting Places:

• Pick three places to meet: in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire. Decide a location in your neighborhood and lastly, a regional meeting place in case you can't return home.

Children:

• Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 and other emergency numbers including fire, police, ambulance, etc. Post these numbers near phones in your home.

Fire Safety:

• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms and make sure everyone knows where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it.

First-Aid:

• Learn basic first aid skills, including CPR.

Insurance:

• Make sure your family has adequate insurance.

Check for hazards in the home

During and right after a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause fire is a home hazard. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures, or overhead lights that could fall in an earthquake or a flood and block an escape path.

Be ready to evacuate

Have a plan for getting out of your home or building (ask your family or friends for assistance, if necessary). Also, plan two evacuation routes because some roads may be closed or blocked in a disaster.

• Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends, and coworkers to aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows how to operate necessary equipment.
• Discuss your needs with your employer.
• If you are mobility impaired and live or work in a high-rise building, have an escape chair.
• If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark accessible exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you leave the building.
• Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, prescriptions, food for service animals, and any other items you might need.
• Be sure to make provisions for medications that require refrigeration.
• Keep a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you require.
• Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to identify your disability.
• Know the location and availability of more than one facility if you are dependent on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment.

2. Get a Kit

• Disaster Supply Kit
• Car Survival & Emergency Kit

Whether an emergency or disaster keeps you at home or requires you to evacuate, you'll be better prepared to deal with the situation, and to help others, if you have adequate emergency supplies on hand. Water, food, and articles needed to maintain your body temperature and provide protection against the elements are the most important items to include. Also, certain individuals require prescription medications to sustain their lives.

Consider creating two types of kits: one that has everything you will need if you are required to stay in your home and a smaller, lightweight version to take with you if you have to evacuate. Both kits should include enough supplies to take care of your needs for at least three days.

Workers and students should consider keeping a small kit at their place of work or school. For those who spend a lot of time in the car, keep a kit in the trunk.

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

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

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
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• 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

Emergency "Porta Potty" Kit

5 gallon bucket with carry handle

• seat with lid
• Lots of heavy duty plastic bags to line bucket
• 7 – 8 rolls of toilet tissue (remove center cardboard & wrap individually with plastic wrap)
• Hand moisture wipes
• Air freshener (optional)
• 1 liter bottle of cat litter (sprinkle small amount)
• 1 roll of paper towells
• packs of enzyme 300 deoderizer (optional)
• For night use, add flashlight and batteries

There are numerous styles of "porta potties" that can be purchased at emergency stores, outlet stores, and local stores - located in the camping section.

Supplies for Seniors

Each person's needs and abilities are unique, but every individual can take important steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies and put plans in place. By evaluating your own personal needs and making an emergency plan, you can be better prepared for any situation. A commitment to planning today will help you prepare for any emergency situation. Preparing makes sense. Get ready now.

• Consider how a disaster might affect your individual needs.
• Plan to make it on your own, at least for a period of time. It's possible that you will not have access to a medical facility or even a drugstore.
• Identify what kind of resources you use on a daily basis and what you might do if they are limited or not available.
• Get an emergency supply kit.
• If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside.
• Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets; consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area who would be willing to host you and your pets in an emergency.

Create a Support Network

• If you anticipate needing assistance during a disaster talk to family, friends and others who will be part of your personal support network.
• Write down and share each aspect of your emergency plan with everyone in your support network.
• Make sure everyone knows how you plan to evacuate your home or workplace and where you will go in case of a disaster.
• Make sure that someone in your local network has an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies.
• Teach those who will help you how to use any lifesaving equipment, administer medicine in case of an emergency.
• Practice your plan with those who have agreed to be part of your network.

Additional Supplies and Documents:

Medications and Medical Supplies

If you take medicine or use a medical treatment on a daily basis, be sure you have what you need to make it on your own for at least a week, maybe longer.

• Make a list of prescription medicines including dosage, treatment and allergy information.
• Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what else you need to prepare.
• If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital or if you receive regular services such as home health care, treatment or transportation, talk to your service provider about their emergency plans. Work with them to identify back-up service providers and incorporate them into your personal support network.
• Consider other personal needs such as eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair batteries, and oxygen.

Emergency Documents

Include copies of important documents in your emergency supply kits such as family records, medical records, wills, deeds, social security number, charge and bank accounts information and tax records.

• Have copies of your medical insurance and Medicare cards readily available.
• Keep a list of the style and serial number of medical devices or other life-sustaining devices. Include operating information and instructions.
• Make sure that a friend or family member has copies of these documents.
• Include the names and contact information of your support network, as well as your medical providers.
• If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information notes the best way to communicate with you.
• Keep these documents in a water proof container for quick and easy access.

3. Be Informed

Potential Disasters

Because of its varying climate and terrain, Utah can experience a variety of disasters. Wildfires can strike during the hot, dry summer months and severe storms during the winter season can blanket parts of the state, causing power outages and increased avalanche danger. Despite these risks, there are steps each citizen can take to ensure they are prepared for a variety of disasters. This section will provide you with information about how to protect yourself from a variety of disasters, including flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, drought, debris flows, landslides, earthquakes and terrorist attacks. It's important to be informed about Utah's hazards so you can be ready for the unexpected.

• Avalanche
• Debris Flows
• Earthquakes
• Extreme Heat
• Flood
• Hazardous Materials
• Natural Gas
• Nuclear Blast
• Pandemic Influenza: Utah Prepares
• Power Outages and Electrical Safety
• Protecting Against Germs
• Protecting Your Home from Wildfire
• Severe Weather
• Tornado

4. Get Involved

Here are just three of many ways to get involved in Utah preparedness efforts:

Community Emergency Response Team

Community Emergency Response Team, CERT, is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, family, and neighbors in the event of a disaster. As a member of a CERT team, you can respond to disasters, participate in drills and exercises, and take additional training.

Under the direction of the local emergency responders, CERT teams help provide critical support by giving immediate assistance to victims, providing damage assessment information, and organizing other volunteers at a disaster site. They also offer a potential workforce for performing duties such as shelter support, crowd control, and evacuation until trained emergency personnel arrive.

The CERT program builds strong working relationships between emergency responders and the people they serve as well as helping the community year-round by assisting with community emergency plans, neighborhood exercise, preparedness outreach, fire safety education, and workplace safety. CERT training takes about 20 hours to complete.

Participants learn how to: identify and anticipate hazards, reduce hazards in the home and work place, extinguish small fires, conduct light search and rescue, set up a medical technique and help reduce survivor stress.

Who should take CERT training? People interested in taking an active role in hometown preparedness.

For more information contact your local fire department or your city/county emergency management office.

Utah Citizen Corps

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and the recurring reminders of the powerful force of natural phenomenon, we are reminded of our vulnerabilities, more appreciative of our freedoms, and more understanding that we have a personal responsibility for the safety of our families, our neighbors and our nation.

We also know that we can take action now to help protect our families, help reduce the impact a disaster has on our lives, and help deal with the chaos when an incident does occur.

The Utah Citizen Corps Mission is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared for emergencies and disasters of all kinds.

The State Citizen Corps Council serves as a resource link between the national Citizen Corps initiative and local and regional councils throughout Utah. The state council encourages councils to bring together local leaders, emergency management, citizen volunteers, faith-based communities, business and civic organizations, and the network of first responder organizations to help build prepared and resilient communities.

Community members are encouraged to know the potential risks in their areas, have emergency kits available for all members of the family, have and practice a family response plan, be trained in CERT and CPR, and become involved in their local neighborhood watch program and community preparedness efforts.

For more information go to www.citizencorps.utah.gov or Utah Commission of Volunteers

The American Red Cross

Volunteer with the American Red Cross in Utah

Celebrating more than 125 years of service, the American Red Cross is one of the country's oldest and most active humanitarian organizations. The American Red Cross is productive and cost-effective with 98% of our work accomplished by volunteers like you.

What We Do Each year, scores of local disasters impact businesses and families in communities throughout Utah. Our volunteers are central to providing assistance in two vital ways:

1. We provide proactive training in advance of potential threats to enable our fellow citizens to prepare themselves for emergencies, protect families and associates from disasters when they come, and to help families return to productivity as soon possible after they have been affected.
2. When disasters hit, we are on the scene as soon as allowed by first-responders and law enforcement. We provide critical emergency services including food, shelter, clothing, health and mental health assistance.

We encourage you to be trained and to volunteer your time to help us serve our community and the nation. Red Cross volunteerism is enriching and very much appreciated.