Terrorism - preparing for ...

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Terrorism
Preparing for
the Unexpected
www.redcross.org
A1366
Oct. 2001
An American Red Cross mobile service center stationed
at the Pentagon Sept. 18 shows one small part of the
ongoing response you can expect from the Red Cross
in the advent of any disaster.
evastating acts, such as the terrorist
attacks on the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon, have left many concerned
about the possibility of future incidents in
the United States and their potential impact.
They have raised uncertainty about what
might happen next, increasing stress levels.
Nevertheless, there are things you can do
to prepare for the unexpected and reduce
the stress that you may feel now and later
should another emergency arise. Taking
preparatory action can reassure you and
your children that you can exert a measure
of control even in the face of such events.
© 2001 by the American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
D
e-mail. Many people flood the telephone
lines when emergencies happen but e-mail
can sometimes get through when calls don’t.
Children need to know their family members’ phone
numbers and e-mail addresses. The information should be
carried with them to school and easy for them to find at
home.
2. E
STABLISH A MEETING PLACE
.
Having a predetermined meeting place away
from your home will save time and minimize
confusion should your home be affected or
the area evacuated. You may even want to
make arrangements to stay with a family
member or friend in case of an emergency.
Be sure to include any pets in these plans,
since pets are not permitted in shelters and
some hotels will not accept them.
What You Can Do
to Prepare
Finding out what can happen is the first
step. Once you have determined the events
possible and their potential in your commu-
nity, it is important that you discuss them
with your family or household. Develop a
disaster plan together.
3. A
SSEMBLE A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT
.
If you need to evacuate your home or are
asked to “shelter in place,” having some
essential supplies on hand will make you
and your family more comfortable—
Prepare a disaster supplies kit in an easy-
to-carry container such as a duffel bag or
small plastic trash can.
Include “special needs” items for any
household member (infant formula or
items for people with disabilities or older
people), first aid supplies (including
prescription medications), a change of
clothing for each person, a sleeping bag or
bedroll for each, a battery powered radio
or television and extra batteries, food,
bottled water and tools.
It is also a good idea to include some cash
and copies of important family documents
(birth certificates, passports and licenses)
in your kit.
1. C
REATE AN EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
.
Choose an out-of-town contact your family
or household will call or e-mail to check on
each other should a disaster occur. Your
selected contact should live far enough away
that they would be unlikely to be directly
affected by the same event, and they should
know they are the chosen contact. Make
sure every household member has that con-
tact’s, and each other’s, e-mail addresses and
telephone numbers (home, work, pager and
cell). Leave these contact numbers at your
children’s schools, if you have children, and
at your workplace. Your family should know
that if telephones are not working, they need
to be patient and try again later or try
Copies of essential documents—like powers
of attorney, birth and marriage certificates,
insurance policies, life insurance beneficiary
designations and a copy of your will—
should also be kept in a safe location outside
your home. A safe deposit box or the home
of a friend or family member who lives out
of town is a good choice.
For more complete instructions, ask your
local Red Cross chapter for the brochure
titled
Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit
(stock number A4463).
4. C
HECK ON THE SCHOOL EMERGENCY
PLAN OF ANY SCHOOL
-
AGE CHILDREN YOU
MAY HAVE
.
You need to know if they will keep children
at school until a parent or designated adult
can pick them up or send them home on
their own. Be sure that the school has
updated information about how to reach
parents and responsible caregivers to arrange
for pickup. And, ask what type of authoriza-
tion the school may require to release a child
to someone you designate, if you are not
able to picup your child. During times of
emergency the school telephones may be
overwhelmed with calls.
On Sept. 14 in New York City, a Red Cross worker comforts
a woman shaken by the World Trade Center attack.
If Disaster Strikes
Remain calm and be patient.
Follow the advice of local emergency
officials.
Listen to your radio or television for news
and instructions.
If the disaster occurs near you, check for
injuries. Give first aid and get help for
seriously injured people.
If the disaster occurs near your home
while you are there, check for damage
using a flashlight. Do not light matches
or candles or turn on electrical switches.
Check for fires, fire hazards and other
household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks,
starting at the water heater. If you smell
gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas
valve, open windows, and get everyone
outside quickly.
Shut off any other damaged utilities.
Confine or secure your pets.
Call your family contact—do not use the
telephone again unless it is a life-
threatening emergency.
Check on your neighbors, especially those
who are elderly or disabled.
For more information on putting together a
disaster plan, request a copy of the brochure
titled
Your Family Disaster Plan
(A4466)
from your local American Red Cross chap-
ter. You may also want to request a copy of
Before Disaster Strikes... How to Make Sure
You’re Financially Prepared
(A5075) for spe-
cific information on what you can do now to
protect your assets. These documents are
also available at
www.redcross.org
.
A W
ORD ON
W
HAT
C
OULD
H
APPEN
As we learned from the events of September
11, 2001, the following things can happen
after a terrorist attack:
There can be significant numbers of casual-
ties and/or damage to buildings and the
infrastructure. So employers need up-to-
date information about any medical needs
you may have and on how to contact your
designated beneficiaries.
Heavy law enforcement involvement at
local, state and federal levels follows a
terrorist attack due to the event’s criminal
nature.
Health and mental health resources in the
affected communities can be strained to
their limits, maybe even overwhelmed.
Extensive media coverage, strong public
fear and international implications and
consequences can continue for a prolonged
period.
Workplaces and schools may be closed,
and there may be restrictions on domestic
and international travel.
You and your family or household may
have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads
blocked for your safety.
Clean-up may take many months.
Take your disaster supplies kit.
Take your pets with you; do not leave
them behind. Because pets are not
permitted in public shelters, follow your
plan to go to a relative or friend’s home,
or find a “pet-friendly” hotel.
Lock your home.
Use travel routes specified by local authori-
ties—don’t use shortcuts because certain
areas may be impassable or dangerous.
Stay away from downed power lines.
Listen to local authorities. They will provide
you with the most accurate information spe-
cific to an event in your area. Staying tuned
to local radio and television, and following
their instructions is your safest choice.
If you’re sure you have time:
Call your family contact to tell them where
you are going and when you expect to
arrive.
Shut off water and electricity before leav-
ing, if instructed to do so. Leave natural
gas service ON unless local officials advise
you otherwise. You may need gas for heat-
ing and cooking, and only a professional
can restore gas service in your home once
it’s been turned off. In a disaster situation
it could take weeks for a professional to
respond.
E
VACUATION
If local authorities ask you to leave your
home, they have a good reason to make this
request, and you should heed the advice
immediately. Listen to your radio or TV,
follow the instructions of local emergency
officials and keep these simple tips in mind—
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and
sturdy shoes so you can be protected as
much as possible.
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