Emergency Preparedness Plan
Emergency Preparedness
Learning what threats you and your family may be exposed to is the first step in emergency planning.The following list identifies the hazards that are present in Hooksett NH. Because we live, work, go to school and play throughout our geographical area, we need to be aware of what can happen all around us. Once you know what can happen, it is important to discuss it with your family so you can begin to develop your Emergency Plan.
There’s so much to do . . . so get some help!
To do it right, preparing for emergencies can be a full-time job with a hefty price tag, but it doesn’t have to be that way when you make it a collaborative effort among your neighbors. Many of the skills and equipment you will need in an emergency may already exist in your neighborhood. Search them out, and then work with your neighbors on a plan to use them to everyone’s best advantage. Getting an agreement ahead of time can save valuable time when it is needed most. Does it still seem like an overwhelming task? Then break it down into these smaller, manageable tasks:
- Air Pollution, Fuel Shortage, Flooding, Arson, Hail Storms, Sabotage,
- Business Interruption, Hazardous Materials, Severe Thunderstorms,
- Civil Unrest, High Winds, Special Events, Communication Failure, Ice Storms, Strikes, Drought, Lightning Storms, Structural/Chemical Fires
There’s so much to do . . . so get some help!
To do it right, preparing for emergencies can be a full-time job with a hefty price tag, but it doesn’t have to be that way when you make it a collaborative effort among your neighbors. Many of the skills and equipment you will need in an emergency may already exist in your neighborhood. Search them out, and then work with your neighbors on a plan to use them to everyone’s best advantage. Getting an agreement ahead of time can save valuable time when it is needed most. Does it still seem like an overwhelming task? Then break it down into these smaller, manageable tasks:
- Start with what you already have: Canvas your neighbors for disaster skills and equipment. Make it a social event. Invite your neighbors out for a block party - if you feed them, they will come. Put neighborhood preparedness as the only thing on your agenda. Most of all, have fun.
- Build on your strengths: Integrate this approach into a Neighborhood Watch Program or your Neighborhood Association.
- Don’t reinvent the organizational “wheel”; use what you already have in place and working.
- Invite knowledgeable neighbors to teach disaster skills at a Neighborhood Watch or Association meeting.
- Invite guest speakers from your emergency management office, fire/police department or the American Red Cross. For further information on the Neighborhood Watch Program contact the coordinator at the Hooksett Police Department (603)624-1230
An Evacuation Kit for Your Home and Car
A fire, flood or other emergency may require the immediate evacuation of your home. The following items should be assembled and placed into a small portable container, readily accessible so that it can be grabbed as you flee your home.
Keep your car equipped with emergency supplies. Never allow the gas tank to drop below half full. If warnings of an impending emergency are being broadcast, fill up because gas stations may be affected by the emergency. Keep these items stored in a portable container.
A fire, flood or other emergency may require the immediate evacuation of your home. The following items should be assembled and placed into a small portable container, readily accessible so that it can be grabbed as you flee your home.
- A small battery powered radio (AM/FM) and extra batteries
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- A small amount of cash and change, and a credit card
- An extra set of car and house keys
- Eyeglasses
- Have Critical family documents, in a portable, fireproof container
- Social Security Cards
- Insurance policies
- Wills
- Deeds
- Savings and checking account numbers
- Birth and Marriage Certificates
- Inventory of household property and valuables/assets (video of your homes contents or pictures are extremely beneficial)
Keep your car equipped with emergency supplies. Never allow the gas tank to drop below half full. If warnings of an impending emergency are being broadcast, fill up because gas stations may be affected by the emergency. Keep these items stored in a portable container.
- A small battery powered radio (AM/FM) and extra batteries
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Cellular phone and charger
- Blanket
- Jumper Cables
- Fire Extinguisher
- Maps
- Shovel
- Flares
- Bottled Water
- Tire repair kit and pump
- Nonperishable, high-energy foods (granola bars, canned nuts, hard candy, trail mix, peanut butter & crackers)
Hundreds of times each year, people are forced to leave their homes because of natural disasters, transportation or industrial accidents, fires or floods. You may have only minutes to escape to safety and you should be prepared to leave immediately when notified. Evacuation periods may last for hours or days, dependent on the emergency, so you should be ready to care for yourself and your family for a minimum of three days.
If you are told to evacuate, please follow these simple tips:
Sheltering in place is what you do when you take cover during a tornado warning, severe weather warning or hazardous material threat that is determined to be an irritant rather than a poison and the risk to health is greater from evacuation than just staying put. Follow these tips for in-place sheltering:
If you are told to evacuate, please follow these simple tips:
- Turn on your radio or television and be prepared to follow all instructions by emergency authorities
- Take your Disaster Supply Kit
- Lock your home as you leave
- Post a note on your door telling others where you have gone. Local police will be patrolling the neighborhoods
- Use only the travel routes established by the authorities. Keep your car radio on for updates
- Select a safe place to go prior to an evacuation if there is time, try to accomplish these helpful tasks: shut off all utilities before leaving (only if you know how to do so safely). Contact your Gas Company when you return for service resumption
- Tie a white ribbon or cloth on the front door knob. This will alert emergency authorities that this home has been evacuated.
Sheltering in place is what you do when you take cover during a tornado warning, severe weather warning or hazardous material threat that is determined to be an irritant rather than a poison and the risk to health is greater from evacuation than just staying put. Follow these tips for in-place sheltering:
- Close and lock all windows and doors
- Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems
- Close the fireplace damper
- Turn off all the electrical power if you know the proper procedure
- Go to your basement for a storm, or the most interior room without windows with a chemical threat, an above ground location is better because most chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into the basement
- Turn on your battery powered radio and listen for further instructions
- Make sure you have an evacuation plan in place in case an evacuation is ordered
Family Preparedness Questionnaire
Answer these 8 questions. If you have answered “no” to any of them, you need to develop or update your Family Emergency Plan.
Answer these 8 questions. If you have answered “no” to any of them, you need to develop or update your Family Emergency Plan.
- Do you believe that your community is prepared for emergencies?
- Do you believe that your family is well prepared to handle most emergencies?
- Have you discussed emergency planning issues with your family?
- Do you have a Family Emergency Supplies Kit including:
- A three-day supply of water per person (1 gallon per-person, per-day)
- One change of clothing per person
- One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
- First aid kit with current prescription medication enough for four days
- Battery powered radio & flashlight, w/extra batteries.
- Extra set of car keys
- A credit card and a small amount of cash
- Sanitation supplies
- Does your house have operational smoke detectors on every level?
- Do you have a charged ABC fire extinguisher?
- Have you trained your family on the proper techniques of fire extinguisher use?
- Do you know how to turn off your utilities?
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