Scituate Coastal Coalition

Scituate Coastal Coalition
Scituate, MA 02066
mzran@comcast.net

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Hope for the Best ~ Plan for the Worst ~ Before Help Arrives!

The Scituate Fire Department, Police Department, and Department of Public Works plan and prepare for everyday emergencies. However, these emergency responders can be overwhelmed during a major disaster. Emergency preparedness helps individuals become self-reliant during the first hours of a disaster. This guide demonstrates how to prepare your family and your neighborhood association in the event of an emergency or major catastrophe.

Blizzard of '78

Personal and Family Preparedness
In the event of a disaster, local officials will not be able to get to everyone immediately. You may need to survive on your own for hours, possibly days. The possibilities are that you may have no electricity, gas, heat, sewage treatment or telephones for a period of time immediately after a disaster strikes.
Use common sense in making the decision to stay or evacuate. In an emer-gency, local authorities may not be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. You should watch TV, listen to the radio, check the internet for information. You might hear a special siren, get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door.
Learn about emergency plans at your place of work, daycare, or your children's school. Talk to your neigh-bors about how you can work together in an emergency.
Create a Plan and update at least once a year. What role will each family member take during an emergency?
Do you....
- know where the shut offs are for your utilities? Do you know how to shut them off?
- know exactly where your flashlights are if the lights go out in the middle of the night?
- have your emergency supply kit, first aid kit, car emergency kit ready to go with items for each family member? The kit should meet the needs of family members for 72 hours or more.
- have a contact list of utility companies, schools, an out of town contact (it may be easier to call long distance than across town) to communicate among separated family members? NOTE: Text messaging can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
- have a meeting place for your family to gather in the event you must leave your home?
- have pets? Do you have emergency supplies for them? A plan for where they can be kept if you are displaced and unable to return to your home?
If You Must Shut Down Power to Your Home...
If your lights are dimming and/or going bright or there is the possibility that your breaker box will be affected by water, please adhere to the following – upon the advice of the Scituate Fire Department.

When shutting down power to your home, the individual breakers should be shut off and THEN the main switch. When turning them back on, you reverse the order. Turn on the main breaker and then the individual breakers.
Personal Emergency First Aid Kit
- first aid handbook
- assorted cloth bandaids
- 4x4” sterile gauze dresing
- 2x2” steril dressing
- 4” kling bandage
- 2” kling bandage
- 5”x 9” sterile dressing
- Kerlex bandage rolls
- Triangular bandages
- Elastic bandages
- Betadine Preps
- Iodine
- First Aid Spray
- Ipecac
- Activated charcoal
- bandage scissors
- Para-Medic Scissors
- Tweezers
- Safety Pins
- Sewing Needles
- Thermometer
- Adhesive tape
- Ice & heat packs
- Tylenol & baby Tylenol or aspirin
- Diarrhea medication, laxatives & antacids
- Eye Wash
- Sunscreen
- Protective Max
- Non-Latex Gloves
- Personal and/or medical items or prescriptions
Pet Emergency Kit
- Leash and pet carrier
- Pet food & dish
- Water & dish
- Towel/ blanket for bedding
- Daily medications
- Toys & treats
- Copy of pet medical records

HELPFUL SITES TO EXPLORE:

http://www.ready.gov

American Red Cross (ARC) http://www.redcross.org

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

http://www.fema.gov

Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division

PREPARE IN A YEAR

It may seem overwhelming to create a plan for emergencies. Click on the link above where a plan is broken down to 12 sections, some might find this an easy way to involve the entire family in preparation for major catastrophe or emergency.

Choose one hour each month to complete the designated activity and write it on your planning calendar.

Prepare in a Year Booklet

for download and printing

Do you know the Mariner's Rule of 12th's?

Tidal range covers a period of approx. six hours. Assuming a low tide, in the first hour,

the tide would rise 1/12th of the range,

in the second hour 2/12ths,

in the third hour 3/12ths,

in the fourth hour 3/12ths,

in the fifth hour 2/12ths,

and in the last hour 1/12th.

Total 12/12ths or 1:2:3:3:2:1

When the waves begin coming over the seawall hours before the tide is high, it still may have 3 or more feet to rise before it is at it's peak. Plan accordingly.

Do you have a disability?

Your emergency plan should include what would be required in the event of an actual emergency.

Create a support network to help you plan for an emergency.
Contact the Health Department and work with them to use their emergency planning resources. Consider a neighbor or family member to assist you.
Tell them where you keep your emergency supplies, and give this person a key to your home.
Show others how to operate your wheelchair or other assistive devices.
If you have a motorized wheelchair, also have a lightweight manual chair for emergencies.
If possible, extra medications, oxygen, insulin, catheters, or other medical supplies you use regularly
Develop back up plans for personal assistance services, hospice, or other forms of in-home assistance.
During an emergency, you may need to explain to first responders that you need to evacuate and shelter with your family, service animal, caregiver, or personal assistance provider so they may provide you the support you need to maintain your health, safety and independence.

Emergency Preparedness Kit

Wrench to turn off utilities
Cell phone with chargers
1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days (for drinking & sanitation)
Extra clothing for each person (including shoes, hats, gloves, etc.,)
Ready to eat prepackaged non-perishable foods for 3 days (crackers, peanut butter, tuna, juice, etc.)
Can opener
Flashlight & extra batteries
Whistle (to call for help)
Toilet paper
Feminine hygiene needs
Disposable diapers if necessary
Plastic bags & ties
Unscented chlorine bleach and medicine dropper (9 parts water to 1 part bleach = disinfectant. You can treat water by using 16 drops liquid bleach per gallon of water)
Important documents (insurance policies, identification, bank account information, etc) in waterproof container

Emergency Car Kit

First aid kit and manual
Class ABC fire extinguisher
Radio & batteries
Bottled water
Non perishable food stored in water resistant container
Sundry kit (paper pencil, maps, tissues, handi-wipes, plastic bags, medications)
Blankets or sleeping bags
Reflectors/flares
Bag of sand
Shovel & tools for minor auto repairs jumper cables
Short rubber hose for siphoning
Keep minimum 1/2 tank of gas in vehicle at all times
Individual personal items

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Scituate Coastal Coalition
Scituate, MA 02066
mzran@comcast.net