1 Personal & Family Emergency Preparedness

2 Are You Ready? A Personal Approach to Preparing for Disasters

3 “Preparing for a disaster is neither rocket science nor brain surgery. It is making sure that people at the grass-roots level know what to do.” Ted Koppel August 2006

4 This Workshop is About YOU! Beginning to prepare is tough, but essential Your preparations will be specific to your needs There’s no right way: it’s personal Where do I start?

5 What Will You Learn During this Workshop? The importance of being prepared Create a Family Communication Plan Identify supplies needed to stay safe in an emergency Stay safe at home during an emergency How and when to evacuate home

6 Steps to Becoming Prepared

7 Resources for You Redcross.org FEMA.gov Ready Minnesota Ready.gov

8 Let’s Get Started!

9 A Case For Preparing

10 A Case For Preparing Topics 1.Identify potential disasters 2.Perceiving the threat in order to prepare 3.Benefits of becoming prepared 4.Obstacles to becoming prepared

11 Natural Disasters In Our Area Tornadoes Winter Storms Power Outage Floods Fires Infectious Disease

12 Intentional Man-made Disasters

13 Weapons of Mass Destruction CBRNE Model C hemical B iological R adiological N uclear E xplosive

14 Likelihood and Impact Impact Probability/ Likelihood Nuclear Weapons Improvised Radiological Device Chemical Bioterrorism Explosive Incendiary Natural

15 Perceive the Threat in Order to Prepare

16 All Disasters Begin Locally Preparing is your choice Preparing reduces anxiety Community preparedness starts with the individual

17 Video

18 Maintain Continuity of Operations C ontinuity O f Op erations “COOP” A term used by emergency planners to describe plans made to continue activities of daily living throughout an emergency.

19 Communication Plan

20 Communicate with Loved Ones

21 Communication Plan Topics 1.Communication barriers during an emergency 2.Overcome communication obstacles 3.School emergency communication plan 4.Review communication plan regularly

22 Communication May Be Interrupted Land lines may be physically down Cell phone lines may be overwhelmed Power outage may impede use of cordless telephone or cell phone

23 Overcoming Barriers Identify a pre-arranged meeting site for family Identify a pre-arranged contact person living out of area

24 School Emergencies Schools have emergency communication plans in place Know school emergency plans and phone numbers Identify how school will communicate quickly in a large scale disaster

25 ACTIVITY: My Communication Plan

26 Review communication plan with family Keep communication card Update plan regularly Plan communication drill Communicate with Loved Ones

27 Identify Supplies You Need

28 Emergency Supplies Topics 1.Identify personal, essential and specific supplies needed 2.Collect supplies for two weeks at home 3.Approaches to gathering supplies 4.Obstacles to gathering supplies

29 Emergency Supplies for Home Essentials to survive safely at home for 2 weeks Assumes lack of resources available Supplies are personal, specific and essential

30 Specific Needs: Family of Four Father - 45 years old Colon cancer with colostomy Mother - 37 years old takes synthroid Son - 8 years old on Ritalin for ADD Daughter – 5 years old good health Pet dog and bird

31 Specific Needs: Senior Couple Husband - 78 years old. Takes medication for hypertension and diabetes with retinopathy. Wife - 72 years old. Excellent health. Recently broke foot while hiking. Can’t drive.

32 Specific Needs: Single-Parent Family Mother - 52 years old works as an emergency room nurse, and is part of the county disaster preparedness program Daughter - 16 years old new driver, independent, often unreliable on whereabouts

33 ACTIVITY: A Day in My Life

34 ACTIVITY: Master Emergency Supply List

35 Emergency Supplies for Home Purchase “one extra” philosophy Stockpile philosophy There’s more than one right way to do it!

36 Rotating Supplies Keep it Fresh: First in, first out “FIFO” Create an inventory for “stockpiles” with outdates

37 Obstacles to Becoming Prepared Personal priorities Financial limitations Community preparedness needs

38 Stay Safe at Home Topics 1.Reasons to remain at home 2.What is Shelter-in-Place? 3.Safety skills to learn 4.Home safety practices

39 Reasons to Remain at Home Storm or other natural disaster Toxic substance release Infectious disease exposure: home quarantine Caring for ill family members during an infectious disease outbreak

40 “Shelter-in-Place” Term used by emergency planners Occurs following release of chemical, biological or infectious contaminants Choose a small, interior room without windows Instruction to shelter-in-place will come from emergency or public health officials Usually occurs over a few hours or a day

41 Home Safety Practices What to do in a power outage Utility and water shut off Smoke and carbon monoxide detector

42 Safety Skills to Learn How to dial 911 Learn first aid and CPR Use of fire extinguisher Use of emergency communication technology

43 Evacuation Plan

44 Evacuation Plan Topics 1.Reasons to evacuate 2.Establish distant meeting sites 3.Assemble important documents 4.Create Go Kit and Car Kit 5.Plan for pets 6.School evacuation plans 7.Importance of practicing evacuation plan

45 Reasons to Evacuate Hazardous spill or release Fire Explosion Flood Other weather related risk

46 Family Evacuation Plan Select meeting sites Know school evacuation plan Make a family drill plan Notify others of your plan

47 Evacuation Procedure Take emergency Go Kit Lock your home Turn off utilities if time permits Make arrangements for pets Post a note and/or initiate emergency communication plan Go to designated family meeting site

48 Documents Make sure these items are in a waterproof container in your Go Kit: Personal identification Emergency contacts with phone numbers Cash & coins Credit/ATM cards Extra set of house & car keys Maps of the area Copies of important documents

49 Go Kit Personal, specific and essential supplies for families for 3 days away from home Portable container, tub or backpack Ready at all times for immediate evacuation

50 Go Kit: Supplies for 3 Days Radio and Flashlight Extra batteries First aid kit Medications Keys/ cash/coins Documents Contact phone numbers Water 1 gallon/person/day Food/ Can opener Change of clothes/shoes Blanket/sleeping bag Tools/ special needs Personal Hygiene Sanitation Supplies

51 Car Kit A Car Kit should remain in your vehicle at all times for emergencies on the road. Keep your gas tank at least half full

52 And You’ve Already Begun!

53 Psychological First Aid

54 Psychological First Aid Topics 1.Reactions to stress 2.Resilience 3.What is Psychological First Aid? 4.Self-care strategies

55 How Do You Handle Stress?

56 Our Reaction to Stress is Physical Headache Elevated blood pressure and heart rate Elevated blood sugar GI problems Fatigue Sweating Pain

57 Our Reaction to Stress is Emotional Anger Guilt Fear Anxiety Irritability Hopelessness

58 Our Reaction to Stress is Cognitive Difficulty concentrating Memory problems Difficulty making decisions Confusion

59 Our Reaction to Stress is Behavioral Keeping excessively busy Diet changes Isolation Substance abuse Sleep problems

60 Our Reaction to Stress is Spiritual Change in spiritual life Questioning spiritual beliefs

61 Children’s Reactions to Stress Vary Dependent on developmental stage, age and previous life experience Greatest fears: - Separation from family - Death or injury of loved ones - Being left alone - Disaster or stress event will recur

62 Event is More Stressful or Traumatic When…… Event is unexpected Many people die, especially children Event lasts a long time The cause is unknown The event is poignant or meaningful Event impacts a large area

63 Resilience Everyone who experiences a disaster is touched by it We have the ability to “bounce back” after a disaster Resilience can be fostered One goal of Psychological First Aid: support resilience in others

64 What is Psychological First Aid? A set of skills that provide basic psychological support to others in the aftermath of a traumatic event

65 What is Psychological First Aid? Provides a framework to help people stay calm and get what they need Uses basic communication skills Is not psychotherapy

66 Take Care of Yourself Caring for ill family members can be stressful Watch for signs of emotional fatigue Identify self care strategies

67 Take a Psychological First Aid Course Many agencies are providing psychological First Aid courses Train-the trainer courses are also available in Minnesota Contact Minnesota Department of Health

68 Home Health Care in an Emergency

69 Home Health Care in an Emergency Topics 1.Healthcare response in a disaster 2.Caring for ill family members at home 3.Preventing disease spread at home 4.Delivering basic first aid

70 Hospitals Will Be Overwhelmed Hospital surge capacity Off Site Care Facilities Caring for loved ones at home

71 Off-site Care Facilities Basic medical care away from hospital Not much different than 1918 pandemic influenza

72 Caring for Family at Home Patients will need to be cared for at home Preparation for this is essential

73 Caring for Family at Home Reduce fever Signs and treatment of dehydration Prevent spread of infection to others

74 Goal: Reduce Fever Give fever-reducing medicine No aspirin before age 20 Push fluids by mouth Light sponge bath Monitor temperature every 4 hours and record

75 Signs of Dehydration Dehydration occurs with : Vomiting Diarrhea Fever Heat prostration Lack of fluid intake Signs of dehydration include: Low urine output Extreme thirst Dry mouth Listlessness Sunken eyes Lack of tears Loss of skin turgor

76 Goal: Prevent Dehydration Push fluids early A teaspoon at a time can add up Use an electrolyte solution for vomiting or diarrhea Record intake on illness log

77 Homemade Electrolyte Solution Use in emergencies only: premixed electrolyte solutions are preferable Flavor with juice or sugar-free drink powder Do not use homemade solutions when treating infants and small children Don’t give up: keep pushing fluid if only a teaspoon at a time Source: American Red Cross 1 quart water ½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. table salt 3-4 Tbs. sugar ¼ tsp. salt substitute

78 Monitor Illness Keep an illness log Record: Temperature Medication: time and dose Fluid intake Observations and notes

79 When to Call for Help Call healthcare professional for: Fever greater than Continuing dehydration despite efforts to give fluids Shaking chills Worsening of chronic medical condition such as heart or lung disease 105°F for an adult or older child 103°F in children 3 to 24 months 100.4°F in infants less than 3 months

80 When to Call for Help Dial 911 for: –Shortness of breath –Confusion –Loss of consciousness –Stiff neck –Seizure –Bluish or mottled skin color

81 Reduce Spread of Disease at Home Hand hygiene Respiratory etiquette

82 Prevent Spread at Home Hand Hygiene: Wash hands frequently Wash vigorously for seconds Use warm water and soap Rinse and dry thoroughly Use alcohol-based hand rubs if hands aren’t visibly soiled

83 Prevent Spread at Home Respiratory Etiquette –Cover cough –Use tissues and dispose in garbage can –Keep hands away from eyes, nose and mouth –Consider use of surgical mask by person who is ill and coughing

84 Prevent Spread at Home Keep personal items separate Disinfect surfaces Use hot water to wash clothes and dishes Wear disposable gloves when cleaning up body fluids Source: American Red Cross Disinfectant: 1 gallon water ¼ cup bleach Mix it up fresh every time you use it.

85 Learn Basic First Aid Skills

86 First Aid Kit First Aid Manual Adhesive Bandages Sterile Dressings Triangular Bandage Roller Gauze Adhesive Tape Antiseptic Disposable Gloves Cold Pack Scissors Tweezers CPR Breathing Barrier Thermal Emergency Blanket

87 Ordinary People can be Lifesavers! Learn CPR and the use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

88 Take a Course American Red Cross American Heart Association Local Service Organizations Community Education Workplace Local Public Health Agency Hospitals/ Clinics Fire Stations Dial MN 211 for course referral

89 People with Special Needs Topics Define Special Needs People with disabilities and chronic illness Children have special needs Language barriers Where can you find help

90 What are Special Needs? Incident dependent: Anyone may have special needs Essential Functional Needs –Functional independence –Communication –Supervision –Medical –Transportation

91 Who May Have Special Needs? People with disabilities People with chronic illness Infants/small children Senior citizens Pregnant women Recent immigrants People with complex challenges May include 50% of population

92 Chronically Ill and Disabled People with disabilities and chronic conditions require a higher level of medical services which may be interrupted for a period of time Prepare for interruption by collecting an emergency stock of medications and medical supplies Discuss plans with physician in advance

93 Children have Special Needs, too Make plans in advance: Infant formula Diapers Special medication Fever reducers for infant Necessary equipment for the chronically ill child

94 Language Barriers Fewer non-English written resources exist for preparedness Language level at times not appropriate to all audiences Alternate language materials are provided by American Red Cross, ECHO and others

95 Where Can You Find Help? Agencies that support people with specific disabilities Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) ECHO