Emergency Response Plan

1. Emergency Response Plan:

2. Overview Emergency Situations Planning Elements Developing a Plan Event-Specific Information Training Requirements

3. Emergency Situations Emergencies and disasters can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere . An emergency is an unforeseen situation that : Threatens your family, guests Disrupts or shuts down part or all of your home, or Causes physical or environmental damage.

4. Natural & Manmade Floods Civil Disturbances Toxic Gas Releases Fires / Explosions Tornadoes Hurricanes Intruders Infrastructure Failure Bomb Threats

5. Emergency Response Plan An ERP details the actions families must take to ensure their safety from fire and other emergencies. It should be comprehensive and address all hazards specific to your home. It should be in writing and reviewed.

6. Minimum Plan Information Method for reporting fires/emergencies Evacuation policy & procedure Emergency escape routes Emergency contact information Specific roles/responsibilities Designated assembly point location Head count information

7. Training Initially when plan is developed, Whenever individual responsibilities change , Whenever the plan changes ,

8. Training Topics Individual roles and responsibilities Ex. Shutting down electrical equipment Ex. Calling 911 Ex. Assisting individuals Threats, hazards, and protection Specific issues and actions which could possibly occur in your home.

9. Training Topics Notification, warning, and communication How they will be notified of various types of emergencies . Emergency response procedures What immediate actions should be taken upon notification of an emergency.

10. Training Topics Evacuation, shelter, and accountability What to do once the home has been evacuated (action will be dependent upon the type and scale of emergency). Location and use of emergency equipment Portable fire extinguishers Alarm systems Emergency phones

11. Training Topics Emergency electrical shutdown procedures How to shutdown electrica l equipment / main power breaker. Identify this equipment prior to an emergency and train on the specific procedures and expectations during an emergency.

12. Let’s discuss some specific emergencies and how you should respond.

13. Fire Fire: Visible flames, smoke, or strong odors of burning.

14. IF THERE’S A FIRE Immediately evacuate family, pets and / or guests.   Call 911 Give as much information as possible to the 911 operator . Your family is safe! Type of fire, area in home fire originated.

15. Evacuate your home Report to assigned Assembly Area. Try to rescue others ONLY if you can do so safely. Move away from the building at least 50 feet away, out of the way of smoke and the fire department. Don’t go back into your home until the fire department says it is safe to do so.

16. Fire Immediate Actions For persons evacuating from the immediate area : Feel the door from top to bottom. If hot, do not open it . If door is cool, crouch low and open the door slowly. If smoke is present, close door quickly.

17. Fire Immediate Actions Close , but do not lock, doors to your home. Evacuate the building via the nearest exit . Avoid smoke-filled areas.

18. Fire Immediate Actions The responding fire department will control the scene and make appropriate decisions regarding re-access to your home.

19. Explosions Explosion: Caused by a rapid expansion of gas or chemical reactions. . Signs include: A very loud noise or series of noises and vibrations, Fire, heat, smoke Falling glass or debris Building damage

20. Explosions Immediate Actions Evacuate the home immediately. Assist others on your way out, if necessary. Call 911. Take cover if debris is falling. If trapped under debris, tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you.

21. Explosions Immediate Actions Go to your designated assembly area. Do not attempt to rescue people/pets inside a collapsed building. The responding emergency services will make decisions regarding the control and abatement of the explosion incident, and will determine if it is safe to re-enter the home.

22. Infrastructure Failure Infrastructure Failure: electricity, natural gas, water , telephone failures which may render the home uninhabitable or unsafe. Fake image of the August 2003 Blackout – but you get the picture…

23. Hurricanes Preparation Prior to the Storm Listen to radio or television for instructions. Set brakes on vehicles. Secure and brace external doors. To limit flood damage: Move valuables off the floor. Move furniture and computer equipment away from windows or cover with plastic.

24. Hurricanes Immediate Actions (during the storm) Stay inside. Stay away from windows and doors. Do not use electrical appliances. Retreat to an interior location away from windows, if necessary.

25. Tornados Tornado: A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted within a 25-mile area. Warnings are given 3 -15 minutes in advance of a tornado. A tornado watch means that conditions are right for a tornado.

26. Tornados Immediate Actions Seek shelter in a room or corridor in the innermost part of your home. Avoid windows, corridors with windows, or large, free-standing spaces . Take cover to avoid flying debris and falling objects . Close all doors.

27. Tornados Immediate Actions If outside, lie down in a low-lying area, such as a ditch, and cover your head. AP Photo / Alexei Dounaevski

28. Fire/Emergency Drills The key to reducing risk during an emergency is making sure everyone knows what to do, when to do it, how to do it. Practice, Practice, Practice!

29. Fire/Emergency Drills Conduct drills to keep prepared . Annually for assembly