One City...One Plan...Our Preparedness DISASTER! A IT’S IT’SIT’S AA DISASTER!DISASTER! Is your family or business really prepared for ...and what are YOU gonna do about it? a disaster or emergency? Look inside to see how to ... • Protect your family and property from natural disasters A Disaster Preparedness, Prevention and • Prepare for chemical, biological or nuclear threats First Aid Manual • Make a Family Emergency Plan with tips for kids, elderly and special needs family members, and pets • Assemble "Grab & Go" kits for home, car and office Compliments of • Plan for shelter, water purification, food preparation, and sanitation District of Columbia 5th Edition • Apply basic first aid if help is not readily available Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency • Join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) • Develop a Business Continuity Plan U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency ... plus resources and much more! GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA District of Columbia VINCENT C. GRAY, MAYOR Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency 2720 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE HSEMA Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-727-6161 / TDD/TYY: 202-727-3323 http://hsema.dc.gov http://facebook.com/dchsema http://twitter.com/dc_hsema MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Dear Residents: The District of Columbia Government prepares for emergencies and disasters, as “One City…with One Plan”. As we work together to ensure that every resident from every quandrant of the city is prepared, the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency will provide tools, training and resources on an ongoing basis through- out the year. These tools will help to guide your planning and serve as the foundation for your overall readiness efforts. There are so many things that we can do together to ensure the city’s resilience before, during and in the immediate aftermath of emergencies. Join us as a partner in preparedness with city leadership, DC government agencies, infrastructure partners, the private sector and first responders. Your personal, family, and business preparedness is a critical component of our overall readiness. Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to prepare: Assemble an Emergency Go-Kit, Make a Family Disaster Plan, Register for DC Alert and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in your neighborhood! The Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) developed this guide to assist you in reducing hazards, preventing injuries and reducing property damage. I hope that you find it helpful. Sincerely, Vincent C. Gray Mayor MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear Residents: The District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) is the lead organiza- tion for coordinating emergency disaster response in the Nation’s Capital. HSEMA has primary responsibility for ensuring the city is safe from natural and manmade hazards of all types by utiliz- ing a community-based, all-hazards approach to disaster management. HSEMA partners with the “whole community” to ensure the District is more resilient and resistant to the impacts of disaster. As “One City…with One Plan” we prepare, plan and collaborate with our residents; and District, Federal, State and National Capital Region partners to ensure full coordination and cooperation toward building a safe community by continuing to improve our emergency management capabilities. To develop a culture of preparedness in the District of Columbia, we need your personal commitment to be ready! Be familiar with the hazards and ways to protect your family; register to receive emergency messages on Alert DC for the most current emergency updates; check on your neighbors, especially senior citizens to ensure they are informed and safe. Learn more by using this guide to ensure you are personally prepared before disasters strike. Millicent W. West Director dc-2 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY The Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) provides coordination and support of the city's response to emergencies and disasters of all types, both natural and manmade. The mission of the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency is to support and coordinate homeland security and emergency management efforts, ensuring that the District of Columbia’s all-hazards emergency operations are prepared to protect against, plan for, respond to, and recover from natural and man-made hazards. This is accomplished by: • Developing plans and procedures to ensure emergency response and recovery capabilities for all emergencies and disasters; • Coordinating emergency resources for emergencies and disaster incidents; • Providing training for all emergency first responders, city employees, and the public; • Conducting exercises; and • Coordinating all major special events and street closings. In addition, in furtherance of its mission, HSEMA also: • Serves as the central communications point during regional emergencies; • Conducts an assessment of resources and capabilities for emergencies; • Provides public awareness and outreach programs, and • Provides 24-hour emergency operations center capabilities. In carrying out its mission the agency works closely with other emergency response agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department, the District of Columbia Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the District of Columbia Department of Health and other District and fed- eral agencies, as well as with the major utility companies and non-profit and volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. You and your community can be better prepared by learning how to prevent disasters before they strike. Contact HSEMA at 202-727-6161 or visit the website at http://72hours.dc.gov District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency 2720 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20032 dc-3 EVACUATION The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has installed numerous emergency evacuation (E-Route) signs throughout the city. The E-Route signs clearly identify the primary emergency evacuation routes, directing motorists to I-495 or the Mall. Citizens can easily identify the E-Routes by the Blue Evacuation signs on top of the street sign as well as District stars and bars emblem located on the street signs. During an emergency, stay tuned to your local emergency station or listen to emergency officials for instructions on which route to follow. The HSEMA website -- http://hsema.dc.gov -- contains preparedness information, including the District Response Plan (DRP) and other materials. The DDOT website -- http://ddot.dc.gov -- contains additional evacuation information. And, for general information or to report signal outages, call DDOT’s 24-hour Hotline: 202-671-DDOT (3368) EVACUATION MAP The map shown on the next page highlights the primary corridors radiating from downtown Washington, DC that have been identified as emergency event/evacuation routes (in red). Each of the routes extends to the Capital Beltway (I-495) and beyond. During a major event or emergency situation, radial evacuation routes featuring traffic signals will be retimed. Selected traffic signals on each radial corridor will be recalibrated to operate on a cycle length of 240 seconds (4 minutes) with maximum green time allocated to the main street. Signalized intersections between these selected traffic signals will be operated on flash with yellow for the main street and red for the side street. In addition, 20 intersections on the event/evacuation routes within Washington, DC will be manned with uniformed police officers to expedite the flow of traffic and to prevent bottlenecks. Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between Rock Creek Park and the U.S. Capitol serves as the dividing line for event/evacuation routes. When evacuation is ordered, motorists north of Pennsylvania Avenue will be directed North, East, and West on radial event/evacuation routes; motorists south of Pennsylvania Avenue will be directed South, East, and West on radial event/evacuation routes. None of the routes cross and no vehicles will be permitted to cross Pennsylvania Avenue during an emergency evacuation. dc-4 HSEMA http://hsema.dc.gov N Event/Evacuation Routes WASHINGTON DC AREA HSEMA http://hsema.dc.gov dc-5 DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT NATURAL RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION WATERSHED PROTECTION DIVISION TECHNICAL SERVICES BRANCH The District Floodplain Management Program The mission of the Technical Services Branch is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of District residents by managing land disturbing activities to prevent accelerated soil erosion and sediment deposition in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers and their tributaries. The Branch develops and implements programs in storm water management, erosion and sediment control, and floodplain management in support of the regulation of land disturbing activities. The major functions of the Branch are: • Review construction and grading plans for stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and floodplain management; • Coordinate the permit review process with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), and the D.C. Water; • Review environmental impact screening forms (EISFs) and environ- mental impact studies; • Develop and upgrade storm water management, erosion and sediment control, and floodplain management regulations, and guidance manuals; • Provide information on flood zones in support of the National Flood Insurance