FNSB Emergency Operations Department
(907) 459-1481

"All Hazards" Family Emergency Plan

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It could be a house or wild fire, it might be a weather-related emergency such as a flood, heavy snow or extreme prolong cold. It could be an earthquake, hazardous material release or even be a terrorist attack.

This disaster could force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you inside your home...depending on circumstances of the disaster. Think...What would you do if basic services -- water, food, gas/fuel, electricity or telephones - were cut off? Local officials will be on the scene of your emergency as soon as possible, but they cannot reach everyone right away.

Families can -- and do -- cope with many kinds of disaster by preparing in advance and working as a team. Follow some of the ideas below to create your family's disaster plan. Knowing what to do, and practicing it before an emergency strikes, is probably your best protection and among your greatest responsibilities.

Create a Plan

* Meet with household members to discuss the dangers of fire, severe cold weather, earthquakes, winter storms, hazardous material releases, terrorism and other dire emergencies. Discuss how to respond to each.

* Take a basic first aid and CPR class. These skills may be essential to help you to assist your own family, a neighbor, or others

* Find the safe spots in your house for each type of emergency.

* Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.

* Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room.

* Show family members how to turn off electricity, water and gas at main switches when necessary.

* Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.

* Teach children how and when to call 911 during emergencies for police, fire, and EMS agencies.

* Instruct household members to turn on a radio, dialed to a local radio station for emergency information. (Note: Know where to find a flashlight, battery operated radio and extra batteries.)

* Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated during a disaster. (It is often times easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area.)

* Teach children your out-of-state contact's phone number.

* Pick two emergency meeting places:

a. A place near your home, in case of fire.

b. A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.

* Once it can be ascertained that your family is safe and your circumstances are under control, please consider checking on elderly or disabled relatives, friends, and neighbors who may need assistance

* Keep essential family records in a water and fire-proof container..or even in a safe deposit box at your local bank.

Make a Emergency Supplies Kit

In some types of emergencies, you might need to evacuate. Some families like to prepare ahead by assembling things they would need to take with them such as:

1. Clothing, personal hygiene items

2. Medical supplies such as eyeglasses, dentures, necessary prescription drugs and a first aid kit - with sufficient materials to treat several people

3. Canned foods and bottled water (remember to check and rotate perishables)

4. Portable, battery powered radio and flashlight.

5. Checkbook, credit cards and cash.

6. Sleeping bags/extra blankets.

7. Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.

8. Technology Supplies:

a. Remember to bring Cell phones, PDA's, laptop computers, GPS, or other communications and location devices...along with extra batteries for them. Given the magnitude of the disaster, these devices may or may not work. But, given the fact that often the internet continues to function, even when other phone circuits may not be available, using these technologies may prove beneficial.

Store this kit in a bag/bags you can easily carry to your car, or store it in your car. This kit could also come in handy if you're stranded on the road.

Practice and Maintain Your Plan

* Quiz your family members every six months to ensure that they remember what to do.

* Conduct annual family drills on evacuation, sheltering-in-place, fire and other emergency situations.

* Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.