Family Emergency Preparedness Plan

Disasters can happen anytime or anywhere.  When a disaster strikes, you may not have time to respond, this is why a plan is so important.  Be prepared for any hazard that could affect your area, find out what type of disaster could occur and how you should respond.  Think about where you or your family may be when a disaster strikes, at work, at school, or driving in the car.  How will you find each other?  Knowing what to do is your best protection and responsibility.  In order to ensure that your family is prepared, follow these basic steps. . . .

Emergency Supplies
Prepare enough supplies for your family for at least three days.
Include:
-Three days supply of water.  One gallon per person.

-Non-perishable food that does not require cooking:  canned or dried meats, canned or dried fruits and vegetables.

-Eating utensils, manual can opener.

-Change of clothing and footwear per person.

-Blankets or sleeping bags.

-First-aid kit, including prescription medicine.

-Extra pair of eyeglasses.

-Battery powered radio and flashlight, plus plenty of extra batteries.

-Extra set of car keys, cash, and credit cards.

-Sanitation supplies.

-Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.

-Fire extinguisher.

-Important family documents.

-Proper identification.

-Basic tool kit (pliers, wrench, hammer, nails, plus rope and gas shut-off wrench).

Auto Kit
Jumper Cables
Maps
Flares / Triangles
Spare Tire
Fire Extinguisher
For Winter:  Blanket & Shovel

STEP 1 - Find Out What Could Happen
Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross.

-What types of action should be taken for Flash Floods, Tornados, Hazardous Materials Spills, and other types of similar events?

-How would you help the elderly and disabled?

-Find out if there is a disaster plan at your workplace, your child's school or daycare, or your child's activities.

-Think about the care of your pets. (pets are not permitted in public shelters.)

-Determine where your local shelters are and the best access to them.

STEP 2 - Prepare A Disaster Plan
Discuss with your family the importance of preparing a disaster plan.  Share responsibilities and work together as a team.

-Talk about the different types of disasters that are most likely to happen and what to do for each one.

-Regularly conduct drills and practice your plan.

-Establish meeting places in case of separation:
 1. Right outside of your home.
 2. Outside of your neighborhood if you are unable to return home.

-Have an out-of-state "family contact."  Your family members should call this person and tell them where they are.  Be sure everyone knows the contact's phone number.

-Make a plan with neighbors on how the neighborhood could work together if a disaster would strike.  Also, make arrangements with neighbors for child care in case parents cannot make it home.

STEP 3 - Complete This Checklist
- Keep a list of important telephone numbers by all phones (Emergency numbers, work, school, cellular phones, pagers, etc.).

-Be sure children know how and when to call "9-1-1" for help.

-Learn how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity, and teach a mature family member.

-Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.

-Teach family members how to use a fire extinguisher and where it is kept.

-Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially outside of sleeping areas.  Routinely replace batteries.

-Install a carbon monoxide detector and routinely replace batteries.

-Find the best escape route from your home and determine your excavation route.

-Practice your plan.

-Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit.

-If a generator is used, you will need proper electrical circuits and sufficient ventilation.

For Additional Information:
Contact your local emergency management office, the American Red Cross, or www.fema.gov

Cambria County Non-Emergency #
1-800-281-1680

American Red Cross
(814) 255-1550

During An Emergency:
Tune in to NOAA Weather Alert Frequency:
Johnstown:  162.400
Clearfield:  162.550

Information provided by:  City of Jackson Township and the Cambria County Emergency Management Agency.

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