Harford County Division of Emergency Operations 2220 Ady Rd. Forest Hill, Maryland 21050 Emergency Preparedness in Harford County is a continuous process which involves all of us. There are a variety of hazards that we face every day and there is an extremely dedicated group of people who plan for, and respond to, these hazards. Our County is vulnerable to the effects of a number of natural emergencies such as hurricanes and severe winter storms. In addition, we are also susceptible to a variety of man-made hazards such as hazardous materials incidents on our roads, at fixed sites, nuclear power plant incidents and fires. Families who are prepared can reduce the fear, inconvenience and losses that surround a disaster. They can be ready to evacuate or shelter in their homes, make their stays in public shelters more comfortable and know how to take care of their basic medical needs. They can even save each other’s lives. If disaster threatens, we will try to help you. But you need to be prepared as well, local resources may be overwhelmed after a major disaster, and emergency responders may not be able to reach you right away. What you do to prepare can make a difference. After most disasters, you and your family should be ready to be self-sufficient for at least seven days; this may mean providing for your own shelter, first aid, food, water and sanitation. This pamphlet can help. It was developed by the Harford County Division of Emergency Operations and designed to help you learn basic steps to take in various emergencies or disasters. It gives you information on possible emergencies and what you should do before, during and after it happens. Share this information with your family; it could save your life. The Harford County Division of Emergency Operations also provides Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) to residents and businesses of Harford County. CERT is an 18 hour class that teaches residents how to be prepared during an emergency, basic medical skills, fire safety and light search and rescue. For more information or to schedule a training contact the Harford County Division of Emergency Operations at 410-638-4900. PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS 4 EMERGENCY SUPPLIES 5 TAKING CARE OF EMOTIONAL NEEDS 6 HELPING CHILDREN WITH A DISASTER 7 TAKING SHELTER AND EVACUATING 8 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS 9 CARING FOR YOUR PETS DURING AN EMERGENCY 9 DISASTER TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 10 CALLING 911 11 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL 911 11 CALLING FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL, FIRE AND POLICE SERVICES 11 HARFORD COUNTY HAZARDS 12 SEVERE WEATHER 12 FLOODING 13 WINTER WEATHER 14 TORNADOS 15 HURRICANES 16 TERRORISM 17 NUCLEAR INCIDENT/PEACH BOTTOM 18 PANDEMIC INFLUENZA 19 ADDITIONAL TIPS/INFORMATION 20 LOCATING FUSE BOXES, SHUT OFF VALVES 20 LISTEN TO PUBLIC ALERTS, WARNINGS 20 PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS After a disaster, you and your family should be prepared to be on your own for at least seven days. In some emergencies, such as pandemic influenza, you may need to prepare for a week or more. First Responders will be busy and may not be able to provide immediate care to all who need it. Before disaster strikes Keep all exits clear. • Choose a place for your family to meet • Make sure all family members agree on an after a disaster. emergency plan. Give emergency • Choose a person outside the immediate information to babysitters or other area for family members to contact in case caregivers. you get separated. This person should live far enough away so he or she won’t be During an emergency or disaster involved in the same emergency. • Keep calm and take time to think. Give • Know how to contact your children at assistance where needed. school or daycare, and how to pick them • Listen to your radio or television for official up after a disaster. Let the school know if information and instructions. someone else is authorized to pick them • Use the telephone for emergency calls only. up. Keep your child’s emergency release • If you are ordered to evacuate, take your card up to date. disaster supply kit and follow official • Put together an emergency supply kit for directions to a safe place or temporary your home and workplace. shelter. • Know where the nearest fire and police stations are located. After the emergency or disaster is over • Learn your community’s warning signals, • Use caution in entering damaged buildings what they sound like and what you should and homes. do when your hear them. • Stay away from damaged electrical wires • Learn first aid and CPR. Have a first aid and wet appliances. kit, a first aid manual and extra medicine • Check food and water supplies for for family members. contamination • Learn how to shut off your water, gas, and • Notify your relatives that you are safe. But electricity. Know where to find shut-off don’t tie up phone lines; they may be needed valves and switches. for emergency calls. • Keep a small amount of cash available. If • If government disaster assistance is the power is out, ATM machines won’t available, the news media will announce work. where to go to apply. • If you have family members who don’t speak English, prepare emergency cards in English with their name, address and information about medications or allergies. Make sure they can find their cards at all times. • Make copies of your vital records and store them in your disaster supply kit. • Make sure family members know all the possible ways to get out of your home. 4 Emergency Supplies Government agencies will respond to community disasters, but citizens may be on their own for hours, even days, after a disaster strikes. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least three days. In some emergencies, such as pandemic influenza, you may need to be prepared for a week or more. Disaster Supply Kit • One gallon of water per person per day • Ready to eat canned meat, fruit and vegetables, canned/boxed juices, milk and soup, food for infants and adults with special diets, and high emergency snacks • Photocopies of licenses, insurance polices, birth certificates, credit cards in a waterproof bag. • Can opener • First aid supplies and manual • Special needs items such as eye glasses and medications • A change of clothing for each person • Sleeping bags or blankets • Battery powered radio or television • Flashlight with extra batteries • Harford County Emergency Public Information Calendar • Waterproof matches • Toys, books, puzzles, and games • Extra house keys and car keys • List of contact names and phone numbers • Food, water and supplies for pets • Small tool kit • Cash • Personal care items • Whistle Harford County has joined with Baltimore City and County along with Howard, Carroll and Anne Arundel counties in an emergency preparedness awareness campaign entitled Ready? Set? Good. The campaign is designed to help all residents know what’s most important when it comes to home preparedness. For more information: Contact the Harford County Division of Emergency Operations at 410-638-4900. 5 Taking Care of Emotional Needs It is natural to be upset when you think your health or the health of your loved ones is threatened. Pay attention to your own feelings and take care of your emotional needs, then you can better help friends and family members handle their concerns. Coping with uncertainty If you notice a big change in a loved one, Anxiety can be related to fear of the friend or co-worker, reach out to them. unknown. It is normal to feel anxious and Make some time to talk. Watching out for worried during an emergency. others shows you care and it can be Everyone reacts differently to an comforting to both of you. emergency People often experience changes in their If you or someone you know is having a physical, emotional or mental state, during hard time managing their emotions, seek and after emergencies. For example, they help from a medical or mental health may have trouble sleeping, experience anger professional. or depression, or have problems at work or school. If these reactions seem extreme or Get reliable information last a long time, you should seek help. When an emergency happens, it is important to keep things in perspective. Get Here are some ways you can cope with information about the event from: stress and anxiety • Limit your exposure to graphic news • Newspaper, radio, and television. stories. • Your health care provider. • Get accurate, timely information from • Your local health department. reliable sources. • Harford County Government. • Maintain your normal routine as much as • Harford County Division of Emergency possible. Operations. • Avoid drugs and excessive drinking. • Exercise, eat well and get enough sleep. • Stay active physically and mentally. If you or a loved one needs help during • Stay in touch with family and friends. a crisis, please contact the Mobile • If you can, help others. Crisis Team. • Keep a sense of humor. • Share your concerns with others. Stay connected Ask for help if you need it. If your anxiety about a disaster gets in the way of your daily life, talk to someone you trust. This may be your doctor, a family member, teacher, or mental health professional. 6 Source: Emergency Resource Guide 2007 published by Washington State Department of Health. Helping Children after a Disaster It is important to remember some children may never show distress, while others may not give evidence of being upset for several weeks or even months after an emergency. Other children may not show a change in behavior, but may still need your help. Children may exhibit the following behaviors after a disaster: • Go back to former routines as soon as • Be upset over the loss of a favorite toy or possible.