Disaster Preparedness

1
Chapter 26

• Disaster Preparedness

2
Natural Disasters

• Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornados
  claim many lives each year.
• You need to be informed to protect yourself and
  others.

3
Earthquake

• A sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by
  breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earths
  surface.
• Can cause
• Buildings and bridges to collapse
• Disrupt gas, electric, and phone service
• Trigger landslides, avalanches, flash floods,
  fires, and tsunamis

4
What to Do During an Earthquake

• If indoors, take cover.
• If outdoors, find a clear spot away from
  buildings, trees, etc.
• If in a vehicle, pull over and stay there with
  your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.
• If you are trapped in debris, do not panic.
• Learn to turn off your gas supply.

5
Flood

• With the exception of fire, floods are the most
  common natural disaster.
• Pay attention to flash flood warnings.
• Be especially aware of storms in the hills above
  you.

6
What to Do During a Flood

• Be aware of the likelihood of flooding.
• Listen to the radio or television stations for
  information.
• If local authorities issue a flood watch, prepare
  to evacuate.
• Do not walk through moving water.
• Do not drive into flooded areas.
• If flood water rises around your car and you
  cannot drive out, abandon your car and move to
  higher ground.

7
Heat Wave

• In extreme heat and high humidity, cooling of the
  body by evaporation is slowed.
• Difficult for the body to maintain normal body
  temperature
• People living in urban areas may be at greater
  risk.

8
What to Do During a Heat Wave

• Stay in the coolest location.
• Drink plenty of water regularly.
• Never leave children or pets in vehicles.
• Dress in loose-fitting clothes.
• Protect your face and head when outdoors.
• Avoid too much sunshine.
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of
  the day.
• Spend at least 2 hours in an air-conditioned
  place.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors.

9
Hurricane

• A tropical storm with winds that have reached a
  constant speed of at least 74 miles per hour
• Can bring torrential rains, high winds, and
  flooding

10
What to Do During a Hurricane

• Listen to the radio or television stations for
  local information.
• Secure your home.
• If you are not evacuating, prepare for the worst.
• If you are evacuating, prepare backpacks to take
  your disaster supplies to the shelter.
• Fuel your vehicle and review evacuation routes.

11
Landslides

• Occur in almost every US state when masses of
  rock, earth, or debris move down a slope
• May be small or large and can move at slow or
  high speeds
• Usually associated with periods of heavy rainfall
  or rapid snowmelt

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What to Do During a Landslide

• Stay alert.
• Consider evacuating an area susceptible to
  landslides.
• Listen for unusual sounds.
• Be alert when driving.
• If you remain at home, move to the second level
  if possible.

13
Tornado

• A violent windstorm characterized by a twisting,
  funnel-shaped cloud
• Spawned by a thunderstorm or sometimes a
  hurricane
• Every state is at some risk

14
What to Do During a Tornado

• Go immediately to a basement or inner hallway
  without windows.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture.
• If outdoors, try to get indoors or lie in a
  ditch.
• Go to a shelter area.
• If you are in a vehicle, get out and take shelter
  in a nearby building.

15
Tsunami

• A series of waves generated by an undersea
  disturbance
• From the area of disturbance, the waves travel
  outward in all directions
• Drowning is the most common cause of death due to
  a tsunami.

16
What to Do During a Tsunami

• Listen to the radio or television for local
  information.
• Stay away from the area until authorities say it
  is safe to return.
• Do not go to the shoreline to watch for a
  tsunami.

17
Volcano Eruption

• A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a
  reservoir of molten rock below the earths
  surface.
• When the pressure from gases and molten rock
  become strong enough to cause an explosion,
  eruptions occur.
• Most injuries and deaths are due to ash, falling
  rocks, landslides, and floods.

18
What to Do During a Volcano Eruption

• Follow evacuation orders.
• If indoors, close all windows and doors.
• If outdoors, seek shelter indoors and avoid
  low-lying areas.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Use goggles to protect your eyes.
• Use a dust mask.
• Stay out of the area around the erupting volcano.

19
Wildfire

• Forest, brush, and grass fires can occur at any
  time of the year.
• Occur mostly during long, dry hot spells
• Majority of these fires are caused by human
  carelessness or ignorance

20
What to Do During a Wildfire

• Listen to local radio or television for the
  latest emergency information.
• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Choose a route away from the fire hazard.

21
Winter Storm

• Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an
  entire region.
• Even areas that usually experience mild winters
  can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme
  cold.

22
What to Do During a Winter Storm (1 of 3)

• If indoors
• Listen to local radio or television.
• Conserve fuel.
• Eat and drink regularly.
• Never use heat sources designed for outside use
  in a closed space.

23
What to Do During a Winter Storm (2 of 3)

• If outdoors
• Dress warmly in layers.
• Avoid overexertion.
• Be aware of signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Keep dry by changing wet clothing.

24
What to Do During a Winter Storm (3 of 3)

• If trapped in a vehicle
• Pull off of the highway.
• Stay inside the vehicle.
• Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each
  hour to keep warm.
• Exercise.
• Take turns sleeping.

25
Technological Hazards

• Hazardous materials incidents
• Chemicals are found everywhere.
• They can become hazardous during their
  production, storage, transportation, and disposal.

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What to Do During a Hazardous Materials Incident

• Call 9-1-1.
• Stay away from the incident site.
• If caught outside, stay upstream, uphill, upwind.
• If asked to evacuate, do so immediately.
• If requested to stay indoors, follow all
  instructions.

27
Nuclear Power Plants

• Nuclear power plants operate in most states.
• Nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles
  of an operating nuclear power plant.

28
What to Do During a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency

• Stay tuned to local radio and television for
  information.
• Evacuate if you are advised to do so.
• If told not to evacuate, stay inside.
• Do not use the phone unless absolutely necessary.
• If you suspect exposure, take a shower.
• Seek medical treatment for any symptoms.

29
National Security Emergencies

• Terrorism
• Use of force or violence against persons or
  property in violation of the criminal laws for
  the purposes of intimidation, coercion, or
  ransom.
• Chemical and biologic agents
• Have toxic effects

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What to Do During a Chemical or Biologic Attack

• Listen to the local radio or television for
  instructions from authorities.
• If instructed to remain inside
• Turn off all ventilation.
• Seek shelter in an internal room.
• Do not use major appliances.
• Remain in protected areas.
• If outdoors, try and get upwind and inside.

31
Nuclear and Radiologic Weapons

• Nuclear explosions can cause deadly effects such
  as blinding light, intense heat, initial nuclear
  radiation, blast fires, and secondary fires.
• A dirty bomb is considered far more likely to be
  used by terrorists.
• Combination of conventional explosives and
  radioactive material

32
What to Do During a Nuclear or Radiologic Attack

• Avoid looking at the flash or fireball.
• If you hear an attack warning
• Take cover quickly.
• If caught outside, take cover
• Protect yourself from radioactive fallout by
  taking shelter.
• Keep a battery-powered radio with you.

33
Summary

• Every American will likely be an unfortunate
  victim or witness to at least one disaster during
  his or her lifetime.
• When a disaster strikes, you must be ready to
  act.