Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness

Types of Emergency • Earthquakes • Hurricanes • Tornadoes • Energy/utility outages • Fire hazards • Hazardous materials releases • Terrorism

Program Definitions: Floods • Flood WatchFlooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. • Flash Flood WatchFlash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. • Flood Warning • Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately. • Flash Flood WarningA flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

Definitions: Tornadoes • Tornado WatchTornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. • Tornado WarningA tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

Definitions: Hurricanes • Tropical DepressionAn organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 MPH (33 knots) or less. Sustained winds are defined as one-minute average wind measured at about 33 ft (10 meters) above the surface. • Tropical StormAn organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39–73 MPH (34–63 knots). • HurricaneAn intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 MPH (64 knots) or higher.

Definitions: Hurricanes (cont’d) • Hurricane/Tropical Storm WatchHurricane/tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area, usually within 36 hours. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. • Hurricane/Tropical Storm WarningHurricane/tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area, usually within 24 hours.

Definitions: Earthquakes • EarthquakeA sudden slipping or movement of a portion of the earth’s crust, accompanied and followed by a series of vibrations. • AftershockAn earthquake of similar or lesser intensity that follows the main earthquake. • MagnitudeThe amount of energy released during an earthquake, which is computed from the amplitude of the seismic waves. A magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter Scale indicates an extremely strong earthquake.

Thunderstorms • Severe Thunderstorm Watch • Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. • Severe Thunderstorm WarningIssued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.

Winter/Ice storms • Freezing RainRain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines. • SleetRain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery. • Winter Storm WatchA winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information. • Winter Storm WarningA winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area. • Blizzard WarningSustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer. • Frost/Freeze WarningBelow freezing temperatures are expected.

Biological Threats • A biological attack is a release of germs or other biological substances. Many agents must be inhaled, enter through a cut in the skin or be eaten to make you sick. Some biological agents can cause contagious diseases, others do not. • Chemical Threats • A chemical attack is the deliberate release of a toxic gas, liquid or solid that can poison people and the environment. • Chemical spills can also wreak havoc on the environment. • Nuclear Threats • Take cover immediately, below ground if possible, though any shield or shelter will help protect you from the immediate effects of the blast and the pressure wave.

Workplace Emergency Reporting and alerting emergencies • Employees must know how to report emergencies. • "911" is a common method for reporting emergencies if external emergency personnel are used at your workplace.

Emergency Preparedness Essential elements of emergency preparedness planning: • Identify hazards and assess risk. • Assess capabilities and resources. • Develop an emergency plan and procedures. • Integrate the plan with the community plan. • Conduct training. • Public relations. • Conduct Drills and Exercises. • Develop Plan Audit Procedures.

INCIDENT COMMANDER SAFETY INFORMATION LIAISON FINANCE/ ADMINISTRATION OPERATIONS PLANNING LOGISTICS Incident Command System

Emergency Response and Preparedness Medical Procedures: Ensure medical personnel is available for consultation and advice on occupational health matters. Provide suitable facilities for quick drenching and flushing of the eye. Training: In the absence of readily accessible medical services, locate and use a person with a valid certificate in first aid training.

Emergency Response and Preparedness • Employee Action Plan Procedures: • Prepare and implement a written action plan that includes: • Emergency escape procedures. • Procedures for those who remain to conduct critical operations. • Means of reporting fires and emergencies. • Procedures to account for employees after the emergency. Training: • Review emergency action plan with each employee when the plan is developed, responsibilities shift, or the emergency procedures change. • Provide specific training to employees who are expected to assist in evacuation.

Emergency Response and Preparedness • Means of Egress Procedures: • Maintain unobstructed egress from every building and structure where employees are working. • Mark all exits with signs and mark access to exits where it is not immediately apparent how to exit.

Fires • Teach employees to stay low to the floor (where the air is safer in a fire) when escaping from a fire. • Clean out storage areas. Do not let trash, such as old newspapers and magazines, accumulate. • Review escape routes. Practice escaping from each room. • Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut. Make sure security gratings on windows have a fire safety opening feature so they can be easily opened from the inside. • Consider escape ladders if residence has more than one level, and ensure that burglar bars and other antitheft mechanisms that block outside window entry are easily opened from the inside. • Ensure your plan covers employees with disabilities.

Emergency Response and Preparedness • Fire protection and prevention • Procedures: • Develop fire protection program • Provide fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment • Training: • If a fire brigade is necessary, adequately train them.

Emergency Response and Preparedness • Highly Hazardous chemicals • HazWoper – Emergency response to hazardous substance releases

Emergency Response and Preparedness • Provide and ensure the use of a safety harness and lifeline when employee(s) perform work in bell-bottom pier holes or similar deep and confined footing excavations. • Excavations: Emergency Plans • Procedures: • Provide emergency rescue equipment when an excavation contains or potentially contains a hazardous atmosphere. • Ensure that person(s) attend the equipment in case of emergency.

Emergency Response and Preparedness • Hazardous Chemicals: Gases, vapors, fumes, dust, and mists • Procedures: • Ensure that employee exposures do not exceed the limits provided by the M.S.D.S. • Exposures should be limited through engineering controls, administrative controls, and as a last resort, PPE.

Emergency Response and Preparedness • Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) • Criteria for PPE • Procedures: • Provide and ensure the use and maintenance of appropriate PPE for site operations and hazards. • Ensure any employee-owned equipment is adequately and properly maintained.

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Your Preparedness Role at Home • Create a Household Emergency Plan. • Plan escape routes. • Locate the best shelter-in-place rooms in your home. • Know how to properly shut off utilities. • Develop a Family Communications Plan. • Select a trusted friend or relative outside of your geographic area to contact in case local phone lines are unavailable, or you are separated from family members. • Write down and post emergency contact numbers. • Make photocopies of vital documents. Keep original documents in a safe deposit box, place one copy in a safe location in your home, and give the second copy to an out-of-town friend or relative. • Create Household and Pet Disaster Kits (water, food, first-aid supplies, medications, radio (crank or battery), flashlight, extra batteries, blankets, pillows, veterinary/shelter numbers, etc.). • Get involved in community preparedness efforts.

Emergency Supplies • Water • One gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation (basic hygiene). • Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person. • Warm-weather climates, nursing/pregnant women, children, and elderly may require more water. • 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.

Non-Perishable Foods • 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

First Aid Kits • Two pairs of sterile gloves. • Sterile dressings to stop bleeding. • Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic wipes 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, Scissors, Tweezers • 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.

Other Items • Cell Phone • Sun block • Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever • Anti-diarrhea medication • Laxative • Antacid (for upset stomach) • Battery-powered radio • Flashlight & Batteries • Face mask • Unique family needs (diapers, prescriptions, family documents) • Garbage bags and plastic ties (sanitation) • Wrench/pliers to turn off utilities

General Purpose Supplies • Fire extinguisher • Clothing and bedding • Camping supplies (tent, sleeping bag) • Matches/flares • Household bleach • Extra pair of glasses/contact lenses • Special needs items • Pet food/supplies

Evacuation vs. Shelter-in-place • 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.

Evacuation Planning • Listen to radio/TV for evacuation orders and plans. • Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood. • If you have a car, keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case you need to evacuate. • Become familiar with alternate routes and 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. • Lock the door behind you. • Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.

Reacting to an Incident – Telephoned Bomb Threat • When receiving a bomb threat DO NOT hang up. Take all threats seriously. Stay calm and take notes. • Try to determine: • The exact location of the bomb • The source of the threat • What time the bomb will explode • Background noises that could help identify the caller’s location • Characteristics of the caller’s voice (gender, age and/or accent) • Dial *57 immediately to trace the call on many telephone systems. Listen for confirmation and hang up. The number of the last call will be reported to the local telephone company. • Call 911. Pass on all information to the police. • Do not activate the fire alarm, this may trigger the bomb. Listen and follow instructions on how to evacuate.

Summary • A little Emergency Preparation goes a long way in the event of an emergency. • Those who fail to plan, plan to fail! Identify Hazards/Risks Determine Control Plan Monitor/ Supervise/ Evaluate Implement Controls

Contact Information C. G. Lawrence, III, MS, CSP, REM, ARM-P Chief Loss Control & Safety Officer (404) 657-4457 Charles.Lawrence@doas.ga.gov Ted Low, Jr., CSP, ARM-P Chief Loss Control & Safety Officer (404) 463-6309 Ted.Low@doas.ga.gov Questions?

Emergency Preparedness