Fri, 2015-10-02

Preparing for Hurricane Joaquin – Being ready and staying safe…

The Executive members of the Emergency Measures Organization held a meeting at 12 noon today to discuss the potential impact of Hurricane ‎’Joaquin’ on Bermuda, and assess Government’s and other relevant agencies’ preparedness. The overall situation will be reassessed following the 12 noon weather advisory tomorrow Saturday 3rd October 2015.

The Bermuda Weather Service has advised that they are likely to release a Hurricane Watch at 6pm this evening – hurricane watch means that within 48 hours possible onset of Tropical Force Winds (34 to 64knots) The EMO executive will meet again if this is upgraded to a Hurricane Warning. As of noon today, Hurricane ‘Joaquin’ was still a Category 4 storm and has battered the Bahamas with significant wind and rain.

Employee/Family Disaster Preparedness
Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, and generally without warning.
No one is exempt from the effects of a disaster. You and your family may be victims.
Families can, and do, cope with disasters by preparing in advance and knowing what to do when an emergency does occur. This information has been developed to provide knowledge and information for employees and their families on how to prepare for, and respond to, a disaster or emergency.
FAMILY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN FIVE EASY STEPS
1. DISCUSS the disasters most likely to happen in Bermuda and their impact on your family's safety. Hazards in our area include home fires, storms, flooding, and hazardous materials threats.
2. TRAIN all family members. Take first aid classes. Learn to use a fire extinguisher and how to shut off utilities. Do not take the chance that the only person who knows first aid or how to turn off the utilities will be at home when needed.
3. ASSEMBLE your disaster supplies into a personal 72 hour emergency preparedness kit. This would include food, water, clothing and medications to last you at least 72 hours. You need a kit for EACH family member.
4. IDENTIFY on and off Island emergency names and numbers and provide copies to each family member. Post a copy near your phone and put copies in your 72 hour kit. When local phone service is out, family members can use this contact list to relay messages. Using text messaging has proved to be more effective after a storm as cell sites become overloaded for voice.
5. MAINTAIN your readiness. Review your disaster preparedness plan with your family at least once a year. Identify what new training, equipment or supplies you may need. Conduct fire evacuation drills with your family.

CREATE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
Meet with your family.
• Discuss the types of disasters that could occur.
• Explain how to prepare and respond.
• Discuss what to do if advised to evacuate.
• Discuss what to do with pets.
• Practice what you have discussed.

Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by a disaster.
• Pick two meeting places:

* A location a safe distance from your home in case of fire.
* A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
• Choose an out of state friend or relative as a "check in contact" for everyone to call.

Complete these steps.
• Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone.
• Show responsible family members how and when to shut off the utilities at main switches.
• Install a smoke detector on every level of your home. Test monthly and change the batteries at least twice a year.
• Learn first aid and CPR.
• Meet with your neighbors and plan how you could work together after a disaster.
• Make plans for child care in case parents cannot get home.
• Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons.
• Consider whether you will make use of a government shelter.

INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT
WATER
A normally active person requires a minimum of 2 quarts of water per day. Our hot environment or intensely stressful activities can double that amount. Nursing mothers, children and ill people will need more.
• Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day.
• Store in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. DO NOT use plastic milk cartons or glass containers that will break.

FOOD
Store at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable food per person. Foods should require no refrigeration, little preparation, preferably no cooking and little or no water. Food items should be compact and lightweight. Suggestions include:
• Ready to eat canned meat, fruits and vegetables
• Canned juices, milk, soup
• Staples: sugar, salt, pepper
• High energy foods: peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
• Vitamins
• Foods for infants, elderly persons, or those on special diets, if appropriate
• Comfort/stress food: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
• Prepackaged foods
• Non-electric can opener
• Keep an emergency preparedness kit in your car
• Keep an emergency preparedness kit in your home
• Consider keeping a kit near your desk at work

FIRST AID KIT
You should assemble a standard first aid kit for your home, for each individual disaster preparedness kit, and for each vehicle. These can be put together at home, or purchased.

TOOLS and SUPPLIES
• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery operated radio and batteries
• Shut off wrench for household utilities
• Pliers
• Sanitation and personal hygiene supplies
• Small sewing kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Small portable camping stove
• Whistle
• Paper, pencil
• Plastic bags for human and household waste

CLOTHING and BEDDING
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Foul weather clothing
• Blankets or sleeping bag
• Sun hat and work gloves
• Sunglasses

PERSONAL VEHICLE
• Gas tank full
• Tool box (tow cable, jumper cables)
• Extra oil, coolant
• Emergency flares and distress flag/signal
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable radio and extra batteries
• Tow chain or rope
• Traction devices, bag of sand and shovel
• First aid kit
• Necessary prescriptions
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Bottled water
• Canned fruit/nuts and non-electric can opener

SPECIAL ITEMS
Remember family members with special needs such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. Pack their kits accordingly. Include diapers and formula, or prescription medications. Keep important documents in a waterproof container.
• Insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, will.
• Passport, social security cards, immunization records.
• Bank account and credit card numbers, company contacts.
• Inventory of household goods.
• Family records (birth, marriage and death certificates).
• Important telephone numbers.
• Have travellers’ cheques, cash and change on hand for when ATM machines are down.
• Copies of prescriptions and extra medication.
• Spare pair of eyeglasses.
• Anything else you think you might need.

ELECTRICITY
• Electricity should be shut off if wires are broken or sparking.
• To shut off your electricity, turn all circuit breaker switches to the "off" position.

WATER
• Locate the main water valve for your home.
• Earthquakes and hurricanes can rupture water pipes causing flooding if not turned off quickly.
• To turn off the water, turn the valve handle clockwise until it stops.

Be prepared for the utility companies to cut off supplies as a hurricane approaches. Listen to the radio FM 100.1 for details.
If you have a generator follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, death or serious injury will occur if you ignore them.
This is your personal preparedness kit. Customize it to meet your individual needs. Don't forget to plan for pets, too. Remember, you will need to make arrangements for the care of your animals.

Review kit contents every three to six months and update as needed. Rotate water, food and medical supplies. Update important papers and emergency contact numbers. Teach all responsible family members how to shut off utilities in case the lines are damaged. Refer to the telephone book for utility numbers.

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