I’m talking to you… February 28, 2011 Presented by Susan Ross Wells

Why do we need a communication plan? Disasters and emergencies can strike at anytime, often without warning. Communication is usually the first casualty in any emergency. In a constant changing fast paced environment that is filled with fires, tornados, floods, and other disasters and emergencies, many things are not under our control but a communication plan is. You will be more prepared to safely reunite with your family and loved ones during an emergency if you plan ahead, and communicate with others in advance. 2

Why we need a communication plan cont. Activity

Establish an Emergency Communication Plan A family communication plan is crucial in an emergency, and it only takes a short time to create one! – Even if you live alone, you should share your plan with another family member or friend. Sit down and talk about disasters that can occur in your area and what you will do if family members are separated. – Your family and loved ones may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance. – Talk with your neighbors as well about how you can work together in the event of an emergency.

Establish an Emergency Communication Plan cont. Discuss how you will respond to different types of disasters / emergencies: – Fire – Tornado – Flood – Sudden evacuation from home Example- Grain elevator fire Make a list of important contact information and phone numbers that you will need in an emergency: – Police / Fire – Family and friends – Out-of-town contact – Doctor Office – Pharmacy – Parent’s work and cell phone numbers – Children’s schools

Establish an Emergency Communication Plan cont. Inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time; work, school, daycare, etc. – If no plans currently exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Disaster situations are stressful and can create confusion. – Keep the plans as simple as possible!!

Choose a Meeting Spot Each family should have two different meeting spots: – A place right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire. – A place outside your neighborhood in case you can not return home, or are asked to evacuate your neighborhood due to an emergency such as a gas leak.

Emergency Action Plans Discuss escape routes out of your home in case of a sudden emergency: – You should have two ways out of each room in your home for your escape plan. Example- Fire Talk about plans for sheltering in place: – Example – Winter Storm or Tornado Be sure to PRACTICE your emergency action plans!

Choose an Out-of-Town Contact Choose an out-of-town contact person that your family / household will contact to check on each other should a disaster occur. – It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town. The out-of-town contact will then communicate among separated family members. – Your contact person should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same disaster. – Make sure this person knows that they are the contact person for your family.

Choose an Out-of-Town Contact cont. Make sure every household / family member has the contact information for the out-of-town contact person. Many people flood the telephone lines when emergencies happen. – Your family should know that if telephones are not working or are overloaded, they need to be patient and try again later.

How will you reunite with your loved ones? Separation of family members is likely to occur during the day when adults are at work and children are at school. If this occurs, each family member should call the out-of-town contact person for information on other family members. Make sure that all household members know how to tell the contact where they are, how they can be reached, and what happened.

Re-unite with loved ones cont. Discuss ahead of time where each family member will go if asked to evacuate / you are not able to return home. This will give you an idea of where family members may be if you are not together at the time of the disaster or emergency. – Will you go to a family or friends home? If so, who? – Will you go to a shelter? Make a plan for your pets. Pets (other than service animals) are generally not permitted in shelters. Have a plan for where they will go while you are away. – Make sure they have identification in case they get lost or separated from your family.

ICE Contacts ICE stands for “In Case of Emergency”. Can be found under contacts in most cell phones. Even though cell phones have the vulnerabilities already discussed, it is still a good idea to consider ICE contacts into your phone. Emergency personnel may look for an ICE contact in an individual’s cell phone if the person has become injured or ill and is unable to provide them with medical information or who they should contact to advise your emergency situation.

Let Your Family Know You Are Safe After a disaster, letting your family know that you are safe and well can bring loved ones great piece of mind. Tell loved ones about the American Red Cross safe and well website through – People within a disaster-affected area can register themselves as “safe and well” by selecting and posting standard messages for friends and family that indicate they are safe and well at a shelter, home or hotel, and will make contact when they are able. – Concerned family and friends who know the person’s phone number or address can search for messages posted by those who self register.

Let Your Family Know You Are Safe Cont. Website complies with all privacy and child protection laws. Because of these privacy concerns, no location information is publicly displayed on this website. The results of a successful search only display a loved one’s first name, last name, an as of date, and the Safe and Well messages they posted Important for public to familiarize itself with the site ahead of time, so that when a disaster strikes families will know how to use the site to inform those they love that they are safe and well.

Wrap Up Questions?? Next presentation: – Monday, March 28, 7:00 PM – Topic: The 72 Hour Survival Plan – Location: Main Branch Library Andersons Raffle Drawing