1. Emergency Preparedness
St Clair County

2. Purpose
September is National Preparedness Month and the goal is to increase the publics awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage them to take action to prepare themselves and their families.

3. Why is it important?
Having an emergency kit, a plan, and to be informed can help in many ways, such as:
Protect our families
Reduce the impact an emergency has on our lives
Deal with the chaos

4. Would you be ready if there were an emergency?

5. There are 3 steps to follow:
Make a kit
Make a plan
Be informed

6. #1 Emergency Kit List Kitchen Supplies: Equipment:
Large plastic container w/ lid
Garbage bags & plastic ties
Can Openers/ plates/ utensils
Food/Drink:
Water– 3gallon per person
Food– Ready-to-eat
Equipment:
Radio/Flashlight w/ batteries
Whistle
Dust Mask
Wrench or pliers
Candles/Waterproof matches
Blankets
Fire Extinguisher

7. Emergency Kit List Cont.
Pharmacy/ First Aid:
First Aid
Hygiene
Medicine
Other:
Food/Water for pets
Toys/Games
Cash
Copies of important documents
Example of How an Emergency Kit should look like!

8. #2 Make a Plan Knowing what to do is your best protection!
Create a family disaster plan that includes:
Communication plan
Disaster supplies kit
Evacuation plan

9. #2 Make a Plan (Home) Communication plan Disaster supplies kit
Meet with your family and plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
Accommodate family member with special needs.
Don’t forget to plan for your pets!
Designate an out-of-area contact person
Disaster supplies kit
Complete the checklist

10. #2 Make a Plan (Home) Evacuation plan
Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
Locate your gas main and other utilities
Practice your plan
Pick two places to meet:
Right outside your home
Outside the neighborhood

11. Plans for Schools
If you are a parent or guardian, make sure schools and daycare providers have emergency response plans.
Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis.
Ask if they store adequate food, water and other basic supplies.
Find out if they are prepared to "shelter-in-place" if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away.

12. Plans for the Workplace
If you are an employer, make sure your workplace has a building evacuation plan that is regularly practiced.
Direction & Control: Who is in charge of making critical decisions?
Communications: How will you contact your employees?

13. Workplace Cont.
Life Safety: Teach your employees about evacuation and sheltering-in-place. Plan for employees with special needs or disabilities.
Property Protection: Install protection systems. Identify critical records or data and back them up at another location.
Public Information/Media Relations: Designate and train a spokesperson who can speak comfortably with the media and provide critical information for your clients and customers.

14. On the Road
If there is an explosion or other factor that makes it difficult to control the vehicle:
Pull over, stop the car and set the parking brake
During a natural disaster:
Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards
If a power line falls on your car you are at risk of electrical shock:
Stay inside until a trained person removes the wire
Listen to the radio for information and instructions as they become available

15. #3 Be Informed!
What do you actually know about different kinds of weather events and other unexpected situations?
The words and terms you hear during emergencies can be confusing. Here are some common terms:
WATCH means it is possible in your area
WARNING means it is headed in your area. Go to safety immediately.

16. What disasters could occur in your area?
Natural Disaster
Terrorism
Public Health Emergencies

17. Natural Disasters Tornado Thunderstorm & Lightning Flooding
Winter Storms & Extreme Cold
Extreme Heat
Fires

18. 4 Types of Terrorism Conventional- Such as bombings and hijackings
Biological– Use of bacteria, viruses or other harmful organisms, such as Anthrax
Chemical– Use of a poison, such as nerve gas
Radiological– Use of nuclear weapons or other radioactive materials

19. Public Health Emergencies
Influenza Pandemic
Seasonal Flu
West Nile Virus
Food-borne Illness

20. Thank You!

21. Resources St Clair County Health Dept. 19 Public Square
Belleville, Illinois
(618)
St Clair County Emergency Management
100 W Washington
(618)
Ready America
Ready Illinois
American Red Cross