Personal Disaster Preparedness

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Personal Disaster Preparedness

• Be Ready.

Hurricane
Blackout
Ice Storm
Fire
Flood
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Be Ready.
Overview

• Introduction Your Canadian Red Cross
• Examples of Canadian Disasters
• Responsibilities Planning
• Disaster Preparedness Kits
• Types of Disasters

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Be Ready. Mission Statement

• The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the
  lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the
  power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

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Be Ready. Red Cross Programs

• International Services
• Disaster Management
• Injury Prevention
• RespectED
• HomePartners

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Be Ready.
Objective

• To prepare individuals, families and
  neighbourhoods to be self-sufficient for a period
  of 72 hours following a disaster.

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Disasters and Major Emergencies in Canada
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Be Ready. 1998 Ice
Storm

• Affected Ontario, Quebec, NB NS
• Over 1,000,000 without power

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Be Ready. 2000 Pine Lake Tornado

• 12 deaths
• 140 injured
• 400 displaced
• 1,200 affected

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Be Ready. 2003 Badger Flood

• Flash flood freeze
• Approx. 900 residents
• 2.2 million raised
• 18 month operation

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Be Ready. 2003
SARS

• Provincial State of Emergency
• Quarantine required or recommended

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Be Ready. 2003
Blackout

• Entire communities without power
• Food spoilage
• Red Cross water distribution centre

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Be Ready. 2003 BC
Fires

• Relief recovery
• 660 households requiring assistance
• Over 3 million raised
• 6 volunteers from Atlantic Canada deployed to
  assist

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Be Ready. 2003 Hurricane Juan

• HRM State of Emergency
• Damage/Needs assessments
• Most vulnerable identified
• Food drops
• Logistical support to fire dept. food banks

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Be Ready.
Objective

• To prepare individuals, families and
  neighbourhoods to be self-sufficient for a period
  of 72 hours following a disaster.

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Be Ready. Level of Responsibility
Its up to You!

• Individual

• Municipal

• Provincial

• Federal

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Be Ready. Individual Responsibilities

• Ultimate Responsibility
• Be Prepared to Help Yourself Others
• If Prepared, Disaster may Just be an
  Inconvenience

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Be Ready. Where Do You Start?

• Types of Disaster Where?
• Warning Systems
• Safe Areas

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Be Ready. Types of
Disasters

• Weather Storms
• Floods
• Tornadoes
• Winter Storms/Ice Storms
• Lightning Storms
• Hurricanes
• Fires
• Chemical Emergencies
• Blackouts
• Earthquakes

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Be Ready.
Floods

• Turn Off Water/Power/Gas if Instructed to do so.
• DO NOT Touch the Power if the Basement is Wet.
• DO NOT Travel Through Flood Waters by Vehicle or
  Foot.

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Be Ready.
Hurricanes

• Hurricane Watch vs. Hurricane Warning
• Prepare for High Winds
• Expect Plan for Power Outages
• Listen for Updates
• Go to Basement
• Go to a Room with no Windows
• Prepare for Evacuation

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Be Ready. Winter
Storms

• Power Outage
• - Turn Off Heat and Other Non-Essential
  Lights, Etc.
• Home Kit
• No BBQ or Camping Heating Devices Indoors
• Use Proper Candle Holders
• Use Blankets

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Be Ready. Lightning Storms

• If Inside Move to Basement, Stay Away From
  Windows, Door and Metal Objects
• If Outside Seek Shelter in a Depressed Area
• Crouch Down with Feet Close Together
• If in a Car Stay in the Car

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Be Ready.
Tornadoes

• Stay Inside Go to the Basement
• Go to a Room with no Windows
• If in a Car, Get Out Move Away
• Crouch or Lie Flat
• Stay Away from Large Halls/Walls, etc.

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Be Ready.
Fires

• Have Two Exits
• Stay Low
• Practice Your Get Out Safe Plan
• Check Your Smoke Alarms Once a Month

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Be Ready. Chemical Emergencies

• Listen to Authorities
• Follow Radio Instructions

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Be Ready.
Earthquakes

• If Inside, Drop Cover
• If Outside, Stay Away from Structures
• In a Car, Stop Remain in Vehicle

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Be Ready. When a Disaster Occurs

• Stay Calm
• Help the Injured
• Stay Informed
• Avoid Hazards
• Check for Damage
• Clean up Hazards
• Follow Safety Instructions

DO
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Be Ready. When a Disaster Occurs

• Use the Telephone .. Only in an
  Emergency.
• Enter the Disaster Area
• Drink Unsafe Water
• Eat Contaminated Food

DONT
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Be Ready. Where Do You Start?

• Evacuations
• Meeting Areas
• Medical Information

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Be Ready. Tips for Being Prepared

• Check List
• First Aid Training
• Know your Local Hazards
• Documents/Valuables
• Home Utilities
• Smoke Detectors
• School Plans
• Share the Plan
• Practice the Plan

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Be Ready.
Home Kit

• Water
• Food
• First Aid Kit
• Medications

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Be Ready.
Water

• You Will Need 2-4 Litres per Day per Person
• 2 Litres for Drinking
• 2 Litres for Washing Cooking

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Be Ready.
Food

• Ready-to-Eat Canned Meats, Fruits Vegetables
• Canned Juices, Milk Soups
• High Energy Foods Like Peanut Butter, Jelly,
  Crackers, Granola Bars, Dry Fruit and Nut Mix
• Vitamins

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Be Ready.
First Aid Kit

• Antiseptic Cleansing Towlettes
• Dressings, Gauze Pads
• Band-Aids
• Adhesive Tape
• Scissors
• Latex Gloves Barrier Masks

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Be Ready.
Evacuation Kit

• Tools Supplies
• Clothing Bedding
• Special Items
• Documents
• Radio
• Storage Container

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Be Ready.
Car Kit

• Shovel
• Kitty Litter
• Blanket(s)
• Warm Clothing
• Candles
• Waterproof Matches
• Booster Cables
• Energy Bars
• Flashlights
• Batteries

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Be Ready. When a Disaster Occurs

• Stay Calm
• Help the Injured
• Stay Informed
• Avoid Hazards
• Check for Damage
• Clean up Hazards
• Follow Safety Instructions

DO
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Be Ready. When a Disaster Occurs

• Use the Telephone .. Only in an
  Emergency.
• Enter the Disaster Area
• Drink Unsafe Water
• Eat Contaminated Food

DONT
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Be Ready. Post Disaster Hazards

• Damaged Buildings
• Downed Electrical Lines
• Broken Sewer/Water-mains
• Contaminated Water
• Contaminated Food
• Watch for Debris

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Be Ready. Review of Planning
What could happen to you? Risk Assessment

• Plan
• Stay?
• Evacuate?
• Responsibilities?
• Phone Numbers?
• Kits?
• Escape Routes?

Maintain Plan - Practice - Replace Food
Yearly - Replace Water Every Three Months or
by

Expiry Date
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Be Ready. Final
Thought

• Disasters are waiting to happen.
• Be Ready.

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Be Ready. Contact
Information

• www.redcross.ca

To Donate 1-800-418-1111
Check Local Listings for a Red Cross Office Near
You.