A preparedness guide brought to you by the municipalities of Shelby County and The Commercial Appeal When Disaster Strikes Emergency preparedness can certainly influence the success in overcoming a disaster. Proper emergency planning can mean the difference between life and death and can significantly improve your comfort and ability to cope in a Electricity Safety distressed situation. In an emergency, After a major disaster, shut off the call 528-4465. electricity. Sparks from electrical switches could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion. Gas Safety DO NOT USE matches, lighters, or appliances, or operate light switches until you are sure there are no gas leaks. Sparks from electrical switches could ignite gas and cause an explosion. Generator Safety Never use a generator indoors or in an enclosed area such as a garage. Generators emit toxic Resources: carbon monoxide from the engine Outage Hotline .................544-6500 exhaust. 24-Hour Emergency line ..........528-4465 Customer Care Center .....544-MLGW (6549) For more safety tips, visit Start, Stop, Transfer Service .......820-7878 www.mlgw.com or download Claims.......................528-4621 a preparedness manual: MLGWWebsite............ www.mlgw.com www.mlgw.com/stormprep.pdf 11 06 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS What’s inside 08 R E A DYS H E L BY.O RGR E A DYS H E L BY.O Taking care of basics: Emergency numbers Do n ’t flirt with disaster 4 and more THE MAYORS OF MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY, along with the mayors of the county’s other municipalities, have identified emergency preparedness as a How to plan for winter and driving in some critical focus for their respective communities and constituencies. 6 extreme conditions Their objective is to protect and equip the residents for emergency situations and natural disasters. The mayors came together in March and jointly signed a proclamation to Earthquake safety and the research efforts work collaboratively to accomplish the following goals: 7 at the U of M Educate Shelby County residents on how to prepare for an emergency, with specific attention given to the first 72 hours after an emergency. Flash-flood risks, Partner with public, private, faith-based and nonprofit sectors to share the prevention and driving precepts and overall importance of emergency preparedness with Shelby County 8 tips re s i d e n t s . This month, a cohesive, coordinated public awareness and education campaign Preparing for on preparedness will launch. tornadoes and 9 severe weather The goal of the campaign is to provide a response in an emergency or disaster. rallying cry to inspire individuals to take This guide is part of the overall campaign. positive, simple steps toward being In December, a 12-month preparedness Keeping cool in the prepared. This countywide campaign calendar will be distributed in the Dec. 28 sweltering heat, plus provides quick tips individuals can do to edition of The Commercial Appeal. It will 10 water-safety tips better prepare themselves, their homes, contain month-by-month tips on their families, their cars, workplaces and preparedness related to different emergency even pets for all kinds of emergencies. and disaster situations. In addition, local This preparedness guide is the first step television and radio stations will begin Fire education and toward the goal of better preparedness for airing spots with these preparedness tips. 11 safety tips, especially all residents of Shelby County. These easy, simple tips are also available for children The guide examines the five major on the county’s preparedness Web site, natural disasters that affect Shelby County ReadyS helby.org. and the Mid-South (winter storms, The overarching goal of the campaign is Getting involved in tornados, flooding, severe heat and to make Shelby County a role model for a local emergency- earthquakes), offering preparedness tips the country on how a community can work 12 response team for each event as well as fire safety tips for together to say: children and families. We talked with Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division crew leader Power-outage tips Earnest Holliday about his and a Q&A with an experiences in the field 13 MLGW crew leader during power-restoration Appeal The Commercial efforts and offer tips on what to do when the lights go out. And we highlight writer Sara Hoover’s experience in a two-day Community Emergency Response Team course, where she learned tips on putting out a fire, first aid and other skills related to Cover illustration by Shane McDermott The Commercial Appeal 3 11 READINESS 101 easy things you can 06 do to get ready 08 5 For your kit … Plan to take care of basics Assemble an emergency kit By Sara Hoover DIALING 911 FROM 1 containing a three-day Special to The Commercial Appeal YOUR CELL PHONE supply of water (one gallon If you are driving and per family member per day) When basics like power, communication witness an accident or and nonperishable food, a and transportation fail, the situation can emergency situation, R E A DYS H E L BY.O RGR E A DYS H E L BY.O battery-powered or hand-crank seem scary and chaotic. pull over to a safe radio, a flashlight with extra Preparation is the most important step. A location and dial 911. batteries and a first aid kit. disaster kit is essential to having the appropriate resources on hand. It should Calmly tell the Additional items for your include enough food for each family member operator which emergency kit include and a gallon of water per person for at least emergency agency 2 prescription medication, three days. you need: police, fire or eyeglasses, infant formula, Some other basics to store are blankets, a an ambulance. diapers and important documents. NOAA weather radio and batteries, multiple Clearly state where flashlights, cash, books and extra medication. you are. Give your Keep a kit in your car that In case communication fails, families address AND the 3 contains food, water, first should have a way to get in touch if they are nearest intersecting aid supplies, flares and separated. Family disaster plans should street, which is very jumper cables. include a meeting place and an out-of-state important for verifying contact everyone can check in with. the address. If an Have an emergency kit in a When the power goes out, you should use Ben Fant/Special to the Commercial Appeal address is not available, 4 container at your office flashlights and avoid using candles since they The Memphis and Shelby County use landmarks such as that would be easy to grab are fire hazards. Turn off all major appliances Emergency Management Agency billboards, mile if you had to evacuate. since they could overload electric lines when offers instruction on the proper use markers, buildings, etc., the power is restored, causing a second of fire extinguishers during a two- to describe the location. Have plenty of pet food and out age. day CERT course. extra water for each pet in Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed Clearly state what 5 your family’s emergency as much as possible since food can be kept your emergency is. cold for a day or two if the doors remain CALLING 911 supply kit. Stay on the line. Do not closed. Food can be cooked in the fireplace or Nonemergency calls placed to 911 waste hang up until the in a charcoal grill or camp stove outdoors. time and money and risk delaying help People with special needs should provide operator has all the to someone who might really need it. the power company with a list of all power- information. The The Shelby County Emergency dependant life support equipment at their operator or emergency Communications District offers the home. dispatcher may ask following tips on when and when not to A chaotic time can also have a questions regarding the dial 911. psychological impact on a person. emergency or provide Assistance numbers Some of the physical and mental symptoms Call 911 only in emergencies, when you you with instructions for include: depression, headaches, fear, shock, or someone else is seriously hurt or is stabilizing a patient Bartlett Police: 385-5555 confusion, anger, exhaustion and insomnia. experiencing life-threatening conditions. before an ambulance Collierville Police: 8 5 3 -3 207 a r r i v es . Germantown Police: 75 4 -72 2 2 There are some ways to lessen that impact. An emergency is any situation that Memphis Fire: 458-8281 According to Dr. Richard James, professor of requires immediate assistance of a Be patient and calm. Memphis Police: 5 4 5 - 2 67 7 counseling, educational psychology and Cellular calls are often Millington Police: 872 -3 3 3 3 police officer, firefighter or emergency Shelby County Fire: 379 -7070 research at the University of Memphis, who medical services. not automatically has written books on stress and coping routed to the proper Shelby County Sheriff: 379 -76 2 5 Examples of emergencies include a District 11 Homeland Security Office: during crises, there are several steps to help public safety answering 379 -7 13 3 individuals during disasters. crime in progress, fire, breathing point because the Memphis/Shelby County Emergency problems, choking, unconsciousness, The first thing is to take care of the basic wireless signals travel Management Agency: 4 5 8 -1 5 1 5 poisoning, drowning, stabbing, gunshot needs. It is important to rest, sleep, eat and beyond municipal City of Memphis, Mayor’s Assistance wounds, someone struck by a vehicle Center: 576 - 6 5 0 0 drink water so you can function. boundary lines. Often and a child locked in a vehicle. Shelby County, Mayor’s Assistance It’s OK to cry, swear and let off steam, but you may need to be Center: 545-4584 don’t focus to the exclusion of the crisis.