Delta Police Department
Objectives To understand the importance of personal preparedness. Provide information for the creation of an emergency plan for you, your family and home. Provide information for creating a personal family and home emergency kit.
There are 3 basic steps to getting prepared as outlined by the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
Step 1 - Know the risks in your community - Where do you live? - What are some of the hazards in your community. - Look at the list of B.C hazards and determine which one s s may affect your community. -
Identified hazards in South West B.C - Landslides - Debris flows - Localized flooding - Fraser river freshet - Storm surges - Earthquake
Identified hazards in South west B.C (cont.) - Interface fire - Hazmat spills - Train derailment
Can you imagine being affected by a disaster like this?
Possible hazards in these communities? - Delta - West Vancouver - Richmond - Mission
Step 2 - Make a plan for your home and family.
Your plan should include all possible scenarios- no matter your family location: - Everyone at home - Parents at work and children at school - Pets - Elderly or disabled parents in your care or in a care home
Evacuation or escape plans - Start with a floor diagram - Evacuation plan(s) ) should include at least 2 different exits from each room if possible - Select an outside meeting place
- Floor plan Personal Preparedness
Exercise - Draw your home s s floor plan - Can you identify 2 exits from each room? - Can you identify a meeting location nearby your home?
Choose 2 meeting places that everyone knows and are easy to find - 1 st meeting place should be a location outside of the home - 2 nd meeting place should be in an open area like a park
Earthquake preparedness Provincial Emergency Programs advise: - Be prepared to avoid injury - Be prepared to minimize damage to your home - Be prepared to survive afterwards for at least 72 hours without help
Earthquake preparedness Before: - Know the safe spots in each room against inside walls, under sturdy tables, desks and archways - Know the danger spots in each room like windows, mirrors, hanging objects, fireplaces and tall furniture - Practice family drills get to the safe location include children in the drills
Earthquake preparedness During: - If indoors, stay there - Drop, cover and hold get under a desk or table and hold on - Protect your head as much as possible - If outdoors get in an open area away from trees, buildings and power lines
Earthquake preparedness After: - Stay calm and check for injuries - Apply first aid - Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger - Check for fires, gas and power leaks and damaged electrical wiring or sewer lines
Children Personal Preparedness
Children - What are the policies at your child s s school or daycare in case of an emergency? - Does the daycare have updated contact information for you or another relative?
Some schools have implemented comfort kits for elementary school aged children and generally include: - Family photo s - Letter or note from parent - Food and water - Toy, book or a game
Elderly or disabled relatives
If they are residents in a care home or facility what are the policies in case of an emergency? Are their medical conditions, prescriptions and special needs documented.
Pets - Water and food for your pet - A kennel or crate and a collar and leash - Any medications and a favorite toy
Emergency contact information - Non emergency contact information - Police - Fire - Health clinic - Other contact numbers
Out of town contact information - Name: - Home phone - Work phone - Cell phone - E-Mail - Home address
Family contacts - Ensure all family members know when to call the out of area contact
Home safety - Keep home maintenance up to date faulty wiring, chimney cleaning or repairs - Keep insurance up to date
Do you have: - A working carbon monoxide detector? - A smoke detector? - Fire extinguisher? - Fire safe?
DO you know how to: - Shut of the electricity? - Water? - Gas? - Are the shut off s s marked clearly?
Electrical Panel
Water main shut off
Gas shut off
Evacuation orders - Be prepared to evacuate if orders to do so by public safety officials - Put your emergency plan into action
Sheltering-in in-place - Go in doors and stay there - Close all the windows and doors - Turn off the furnace, air conditioners and exhaust systems - Listen to your radio or TV for more information
Home Safety - Think about your home and it s s contents - Are there any home hazards that you can think of which may impact your family s safety? - What can you do to minimize the potential hazards?
Home hazards - Windows - Furniture on wheels - Tall furniture - Blocked exits - Heavy objects - Mirrors and pictures - Major appliances - Electronic appliances
Windows Personal Preparedness
Windows - Place beds away from windows - Consider safety glass or protective film - Hanging plants and fixtures too close to windows should be secured
Furniture in wheels
Furniture on wheels - Items such as stereo stands could become large projectiles - These items should be secured
Tall furniture
Tall furniture - Look for top heavy, free standing furniture such as book cases that could topple - Any furniture 3ft or higher could be a problem and should be secured with commercially available devices
Blocked Exits
Blocked Exits - Move large furniture away from exits or secure firmly to prevent them from moving during an earthquake
Heavy Objects
Heavy Objects - Look out for heavy or breakable objects on high shelves or in cabinets - These should be secured or moved to a lower location
Mirrors & Pictures
Mirrors & Pictures - Look for mirrors, heavy framed pictures, etc, which are placed over beds, couches or chairs - Relocate these or secure them properly
Major Appliances
Major Appliances - Look for heavy appliances which could move enough to rupture gas lines or damage electrical cable, these can be securely fastened - Longer flexible gas connectors and electrical cords long enough to allow for movement should be installed Only by qualified persons
Electronic Appliances
Electronic Appliances - Look for electronic appliances like stereos, computers and televisions that may slide from shelves or cabinets - Secure these items using double sided tape, velcro fasteners
Are you prepared to live without the services you have come to rely on everyday?
What would you do if you were unable to utilize: - 911 service - Telephone - Water - Gas - Electricity - Grocery store - Garbage service
Step 3 - Prepare an Emergency kit
Emergency kits - What do I need? - Commercially produced kits - Do-it it-yourself kits What else do you need to add?
Emergency Kits - What do I need in a kit for my home and family? - Your family will need to be self-sufficient sufficient for at least 72 hours - Every family is unique so plan carefully and consider needs such as allergies, medication ect
Emergency Kits - Consider keeping your emergency kit in a closet close to the door or in a outside shed, carport or garage - Your emergency kit should be easily accessible to all family members - Remember to replenish and or re-supply twice a year
A basic 3 day kit should provide: - 4 litre s of water per person per day - Non-perishable food - First aid supplies and first aid manual - Pet supplies
A basic 3 day kit should provide: - Battery operated radio - Flashlight with extra batteries - Clothing, blankets, medication and toiletries - Out of area contact information and meeting place if separated.
Emergency kits - Keep a pair of sturdy shoes under your bed - Consider keeping a pair of sturdy shoes at work and in your car - Consider a car kit
Commercially prepared kits are available at: - A variety of retail stores - Emergency supply stores in the Yellow Pages - Police association
Do it yourself kits - Break it down into manageable pieces - 26 weeks to emergency preparedness will provide you with a step by step guide - Get your family involved with preparing the kit
What else do I need to add? - Garbage bags for personal sanitation including toilet paper and other personal care supplies
What else do I need to add? - Extra keys for your house and car - Cash in smaller bills and change for a pay phone - Photocopies of important documents - Extra medication - Extra phone with a phone jack directly into the wall - Whistle
Step 4 -Practice
What else do you need to do? - Practice your evacuation plan and get your family involved - Practice and review your emergency plans and make it part of your families regular routine - Practice time will not be given during a real emergency!!!
Information sources - Public safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada - Provincial Emergency Program Individual & neighborhood ALL-HAZARD Emergency Preparedness Workbook - 26 weeks to Personal Preparedness - B.C Hydro
Web-sites www.getprepared.ca www.pep.bc.ca www.bchydro.com