Emergency Preparedness

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EmergencyPreparedness

• Jennifer Jaquez
• Disease Intervention Specialist
• Kane County Health Department

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Purpose

• September is National Preparedness Month and the
  goal is to increase the publics awareness about
  the importance of preparing for emergencies and
  to encourage them to take action to prepare
  themselves and their families.

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Why is it important?

• Having an emergency kit, a plan, and to be
  informed can help in many ways, such as
• Protect our families
• Reduce the impact an emergency has on our lives
• Deal with the chaos

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Would you be ready if there were an emergency?

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There are 3 steps to follow

• Make a kit
• Make a plan
• Be informed

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1 Emergency Kit List

• Kitchen Supplies
• Large plastic container w/ lid
• Garbage bags plastic ties
• Can Openers/ plates/ utensils
• Food/Drink
• Water 3gallon per person
• Food Ready-to-eat

• Equipment
• Radio/Flashlight w/ batteries
• Whistle
• Dust Mask
• Wrench or pliers
• Candles/Waterproof matches
• Blankets
• Fire Extinguisher

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Emergency Kit List Cont.

• Pharmacy/ First Aid
• First Aid
• Hygiene
• Medicine
• Other
• Food/Water for pets
• Toys/Games
• Cash
• Copies of important documents

• Example of How an Emergency Kit should look like!

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2 Make a Plan

• Knowing what to do is your best protection!
• Create a family disaster plan that includes
• Communication plan
• Disaster supplies kit
• Evacuation plan

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2 Make a Plan (Home)

• Communication plan
• Meet with your family and plan to share
  responsibilities and work together as a team.
• Accommodate family member with special needs.
• Dont forget to plan for your pets!
• Designate an out-of-area contact person
• Disaster supplies kit
• Complete the checklist

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2 Make a Plan (Home)

• Evacuation plan
• Discuss the types of disasters that are most
  likely to happen. Explain what to do in each
  case.
• Locate your gas main and other utilities
• Practice your plan
• Pick two places to meet
• Right outside your home
• Outside the neighborhood

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Plans for Schools

• If you are a parent or guardian, make sure
  schools and daycare providers have emergency
  response plans.
• Ask how they will communicate with families
  during a crisis.
• Ask if they store adequate food, water and other
  basic 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.

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Plans for the Workplace

• If you are an employer, make sure your workplace
  has a building evacuation plan that is regularly
  practiced.
• Direction Control Who is in charge of making
  critical decisions?
• Communications How will you contact your
  employees?

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Workplace Cont.

• Life Safety Teach your employees about
  evacuation and sheltering-in-place. Plan for
  employees with special needs or disabilities.
• Property Protection Install protection systems.
  Identify critical records or data and back them
  up at another location.
• Public Information/Media Relations Designate and
  train a spokesperson who can speak comfortably
  with the media and provide critical information
  for your clients and customers.

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On the Road

• If there is an explosion or other factor that
  makes it difficult to control the vehicle
• Pull over, stop the car and set the parking brake
  
• During a natural disaster
• Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and
  other hazards
• If a power line falls on your car you are at risk
  of electrical shock
• Stay inside until a trained person removes the
  wire
• Listen to the radio for information and
  instructions as they become available

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3 Be Informed!

• What do you actually know about different kinds
  of weather events and other unexpected
  situations?
• The words and terms you hear during emergencies
  can be confusing. Here are some common terms
• WATCH means it is possible in your area
• WARNING means it is headed in your area. Go to
  safety immediately.

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What disasters could occur in your area?

• Natural Disaster
• Terrorism
• Public Health Emergencies

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Natural Disasters

• Tornado
• Thunderstorm Lightning
• Flooding

• Winter Storms Extreme Cold
• Extreme Heat
• Fires

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4 Types of Terrorism

• Conventional- Such as bombings and hijackings
• Biological Use of bacteria, viruses or other
  harmful organisms, such as Anthrax
• Chemical Use of a poison, such as nerve gas
• Radiological Use of nuclear weapons or other
  radioactive materials

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Public Health Emergencies

• Influenza Pandemic
• Seasonal Flu
• West Nile Virus
• Food-borne Illness

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Thank You!
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Resources

• Kane County Health Dept.
• 1240 N. Highland Ave.
• Aurora, IL
• www.kanehealth.com
• Kane County Emergency Management
• www.kcoem.org
• Dept. of Homeland Security
• www.dhs.gov

• Ready America
• www.ready.gov
• Ready Illinois
• www.ready.illinois.gov
• American Red Cross
• 121 N 2nd St G
• St Charles, IL
• www.redcross.org

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Jennifer JaquezDisease Intervention
SpecialistDirect 630-444-3072Fax
630-897-8128Email jaquezjennifer_at_co.kane.il.us