AMERICAN LEGION

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN GUIDE

for

CALIFORNIA 12TH DISTRICT POSTS

Napa, California Earthquake & Fire August, 2014

Prepared by Becky Crow, 12th District Disaster Coordinator January 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 1

Preparedness & Planning 3

Response 7

Recovery 11

Assisting the Community 12

Family & Personal Preparedness 13

Resources 15

Post Disaster Coordinator Emergency Response Checklist

Standardized Disaster/Emergency Event Responder Checkout Briefing

Post Standardized Emergency Response Report

The American Legion National Emergency Fund

The American Legion Dept. of California Disaster Relief Application

Home Emergency Preparedness

The "Go Bag"

INTRODUCTION

Resolution No. 13-001 - Adoption of the California Department Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan. Department resolved at Convention in June 2013 that they would adopt a disaster plan and "that each District, Post, and Legionnaire within the California Department is encouraged to work diligently to plan, train, equip, and otherwise be prepared to respond to future disasters and emergencies as they occur in their communities, protecting themselves, and assisting their communities in the spirit of The American Legion."

The purpose of this guide is to assist 12th District Post Commanders to plan and prepare for a disaster, train their members on response and recovery and to assist their families and the community in recovering from a disaster. The journey to build the plan is meaningful, and the effort to maintain it, keep it current, and follow it in a disaster is critical. All disasters are local, yet the National American Legion has tasked all Departments to build a plan and provide direction to Districts and Posts to build their own plans. This guide will help you get your Post Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) together. Even though there is a time commitment to get the plan together, it is made easier if many Post members get in the game and perform just a few tasks each to bring it together. That makes the plan truly a short list!

Think of the kinds of things that could impact your members, their families and the community. Depending on the disaster, they might have to do one or more of the following actions:

~ Shelter-in-place for a few hours or several days ~ Evacuate to a local shelter ~ Evacuate the local area altogether ~ Assist nearby neighbors to stand alone until first responders can get to them ~ Assist the community by providing shelter or an emergency meeting place

The American Legion California Department has adopted a "Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan". All District and Post plans are to be considered subordinate to the Department Plan. This guide is designed to follow the direction in the Department Plan and provide more specific guidance for Legion members at the Post level to build their own plan.

The American Legion entered into an agreement with the American Red Cross called "Disaster Relief Understanding ARC 1581". If requested, the Legion has agreed to work to the fullest extent possible to provide its physical facilities (your Post) to the Red Cross for emergency sheltering, feeding, and disaster service centers. Your Post will need to contact your local Red Cross to understand what its needs are and whether or not the resources you have available can reasonably help. You need to fully understand what this means for your Post and what your obligations will be if your Post is called to action in accordance with your agreement with the Red Cross.

The Legion also signed an "affiliation agreement" with Homeland Security in 2005 to support the national Citizen Corps. Our state has California Citizen Corps - California Volunteers, and it gets down to the local level. Through the California Citizen Corps, Posts are encouraged to help

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create and distribute individual emergency kits for children and adults and to help develop community/organizational/church disaster preparedness and response plans. Posts can assist in training individuals and neighborhoods in how to prepare for disasters, withstand them and recover as quickly as possible from them.

Understanding disaster preparedness calls for raising your awareness regarding threats to your safety and changing your mindset altogether to maintain "readiness". The concept is that you don't build the storm cellar after the storm. You've gotta have a plan!

NOTES:

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PREPAREDNESS & PLANNING

The first thing the Post Commander has to do is appoint a Master of Disaster Preparedness or Post Disaster Coordinator. Then assist this leader in building a committee or team to put your plan together. It is easier when you break it down into parts. Your plan will come together faster if each team member takes on specific tasks and goes off and does them and then reports back to the Master of Disaster Preparedness, or Disaster Coordinator. You can call this person whatever you like. Master of Disaster Preparedness or Post Disaster Coordinator are the titles suggested by Department. Use what makes you most comfortable. Department suggests that you call your team "American Legion Emergency Response Team (ALERT)". For consistency in the guide, we will use ALERT for your Post disaster team. Consider meeting with your ALERT more than once a month to get your plan off the ground.

The first thing you need to do is educate your team and your Post on basic disaster preparedness and how to construct your Post plan. It is also important to start with personal/family preparedness. You can use this guide or you can request assistance from the District Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator or District Disaster Coordinator to provide training for you. If you are willing to commit to this upfront time (suggest a 2-hour session), you will be richly rewarded in the time and effort saved in building your plan.

Post Disaster Coordinator: Consider meeting with your ALERT more than once a month to get your plan off the ground. The Disaster Coordinator should document the process you follow in preparing your plan. Keep a simple log of meetings, action items for specific individuals, and check them off when they are done. If you all work together, you will be amazed how much you get done in the first month alone!

Vulnerability Analysis: You can't put a plan together until you know what kind of bad things happen in your local area and specifically at your Post. The best way to get that information for your local area is to check with your County Office of Emergency Services (OES). [Hey, come on-we were all in the military, we get that there are going to be acronyms!] Once you know what bad things they have planned for, you can follow their lead for your Post. For most ofus in District 12, you will likely be planning for things such as flood, wildfire, earthquake, extended power outages, extended heat wave, influenza pandemic, terrorism, etc. Tip: Consider addressing your top 5 most likely events for your plan so you don't take on too much. Order your list by likelihood or probability.

Hazard Mitigation: Hazard mitigation is part of the planning process. They built the levees in New Orleans to withstand a Category 3 hurricane, knowing they could experience a Category 4 or 5 there. You saw what happened with Hurricane Katrina. So consider what could befall your Post and plan for it to mitigate the damage or improve your recovery time and cost savings. Example, if you know your building could flood, safeguard your expensive equipment and records from the devastating effects of water. If your building is seismically weak in places and you could be impacted by a big earthquake, shore up those weaker areas so your building has a better chance of withstanding an earthquake. Maybe you have a member who is a structural engineer who could do an analysis for you. Get the idea?

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Build Local Relationships: Think about who could use the help of your Post and what help your Post might need in your preparedness efforts. Is there an Eagle Scout candidate out there who needs a project - like helping to assemble emergency kits for your elderly members? NGOs are Nongovernmental Organizations such as churches (Faith-based organizations play a major role in disaster recovery.), American Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. Include on your list California Citizen Corps - California Volunteers. They are likely in your town. Find out how your Post can help. If your Post decides to enter into an agreement with the Red Cross, discuss this in detail with them and have them come and look your facility over. Find out if you have the authority to offer it as a shelter. If Fire or Police take over your facility or parking lot for emergency operations or staging, that's different from entering into an agreement with Red Cross. This organization is private, and you need to be very clear on the terms and conditions of your agreement. For example, if you agree to let them use your Post as a shelter, are you obligated to keep it open until every last displaced person has another place to go? If there are children being sheltered in the building, what about your bar operations? Make sure you know the rules.

Disaster Service Workers (DSW) have been around since WWII. These are civilians who sign up to help in a disaster (like California Volunteers). Once they are registered and sworn in, they are covered for Workers Compensation insurance if they are injured helping. The United Way organizes this in some counties. Find out how it works in your county, the build it into your plan and educate your members about it. For example, the community may need people to help fill sand bags in a flood crisis. Let them know the American Legion is there for them!

Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) is an integral part of the OES for each county. Do you have interest at your Post to join or set up a Ham Radio Club? Learn what the rules are for getting licensed by the FCC. Could you assist local ARES by installing an antenna that meets their specifications so they could use your facility in an emergency if theirs was destroyed? Would you need to have other equipment to support? Have a member of your ALERT check it out and report back.

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are nationwide. CERT is likely organized through your county. Contact your OES and ask if training and certification is available and funded in your county. CERT started in Southern California several years ago when it became clear that first responders are overwhelmed when a disaster strikes. The thinking was if civilians could be trained to work as a team to take care of some basic survival actions, lives could be saved waiting for first responders to get into each neighborhood. Seniors often go to this training with their neighbors so they can work as a team to perform medical triage of victims, move someone safely as a team, safely perform light search and rescue, perform light fire suppression, perform First Aid/CPR, etc. The more Post members who become a CERT, the better neighbor the Post will be. If your facility can accommodate, consider allowing CERT training for the community to be conducted at your Post. You will be more likely to get Post members in the game. This is fun training usually offered by Fire (department).

Budget: Department suggests that you buy and store emergency supplies and equipment. It is a Post decision, however. If you decide to stock up, Department suggests that you budget for 20% of the cost each year for 5 years. Keep in mind that some things have a shelf life, and you will

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have to assign someone to keep an eye on the inventory and replace/rotate things out as appropriate. You will want to set up a comprehensive inventory sheet. Do you have someone on your ALERT who can take this on? Remember, you do not have to do everything if you make it a short list for everyone on the team!

Post Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP): What are your needs to keep your Post operating after a disaster? Your COOP should include at least the following, and there may be more for your POST:

~ Member education on personal preparedness ~ Redundancy of vital records - what records are important to the running of the Post?

Insurance documents, permits to sell food and alcohol, Post By-Laws, etc. ~ Contingency fund to give you seed money to get the Post back up and running again after

closure ~ If there is an influenza pandemic happening, establish low-stock flags for your

inventoried items so you can get them more often to avoid running out of things ~ References of alternate suppliers/services as appropriate ~ Telephone tree of your ALERT and other members critical to the operation of the Post ~ Emergency Response Operations Plan ~ Recovery Plan ~ Review the Plan and make revisions as necessary

Alternate Location for Post Operations: What if your Post is destroyed? Where would you go to have meetings and start to recover or resume normal operations? If you can't get your Post officers together, you may flounder after a disaster. Is leased space available to you? Do you have any members who are realtors? Could they help to at least make you aware of space that might accommodate your Post activities on a temporary basis? Tip: Consider using your Post newsletter to find out about the "human" resources in your Post.

Training: Here is the way this works. You need to establish with your ALERT a base line of training for your members. Invite your Auxiliary, 40 & 8 and Legion Riders to join you in this general training. The general training could include:

~ General overview of disaster preparedness and response ~ Presentation from the County Fire Warden or Director of Office of Emergency Services

(and don't give him/her only 10 minutes in a meeting to present! Allow 30 - 60 minutes to make it meaningful.)

~ Personal preparedness checklists from WW\¥.readv.gov/family ~ First Aid/CPR/ AED

Remember that the more you raise the general awareness of your members, the more participation you will have. You may have leaders who would like a higher level of training such as the following:

~ Introduction to Incident Command System ( online FEMA course) ~ CERT

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Once you have written your Emergency Operations Plan, you will need to train your members on the direction given in the plan. It is important that you take the time to train them on the plan and then offer refresher training periodically, such as once a year. You may have members who have a specific role to play in the Post response to a disaster. Those members need to be trained on their role and then given a refresher on their role once a year to keep them mindful of what to do.

Exercises: You can't practice on your plan if you haven't trained everyone on what to do. Once everyone is trained you can practice or "exercise the plan". This is important to see if what you said you were going to do in a disaster will actually work. If it doesn't, you need to consider why it didn't. Were people still unsure of themselves? That's fixable with more training and then exercise again. Were there aspects of the plan that were really not practical? If so, re-write those portions of the plan.

Plan Review: Plan on reviewing your plan once a year. Check to make sure that the phone numbers in your telephone tree are still current. Have members moved around in their roles? Make sure you document those changes. Tip: The more you use names in your basic plan, the faster you obsolete it. Try to keep names in specific lists in your plan and use titles in the general plan.

Training and exercises and subsequent review of the plan will keep your plan dynamic and very useful for your Post in a disaster. You've gotta have a plan!

NOTES:

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RESPONSE

Where do you want me to go? What do you want me to do? Those two questions are all anyone wants to know when the chaos of a disaster starts to happen. Leadership with a plan will be able to answer those questions. As New York Mayor Rudy Guliani said in an interview after the World Trade Center towers went down on September 11, 2001, "By having prepared for everything else, we were intuitively prepared for the unexpected." You've gotta have a plan!

The key to having a functional emergency operations plan is in developing a simple, "short" list for lots of different members, rather than a comprehensive manual for only a few leaders. When the bad thing happens, everyone needs to know his role. And everyone's role needs to be so simple that it can be easily practiced from time to time so that when a disaster develops, the steps are easy to remember, even under stress. Let's take a look at some possible roles for your Post response operations.

Incident Commander: There can only be one Incident Commander (sound like the military?). So who at your Post is going to be in charge when the bad thing happens? Who will activate your response plan? Well, we tend to defer to our Post Commander, but what if the Post Commander is not there? You decide how you will handle your succession of command. If the event happens when there is no one at the Post, you will likely have your Post Commander provide direction. If the event happens when members are at the Post, it pays to educate everyone on your response protocols so they can quickly decide who will be in charge.

Response Operations: The Incident Commander_ determines the overall objectives of the response. They should be broadly described such as

~ Life safety ~ Incident stabilization ~ Preservation of property and the environment

The Incident Commander will work with responding Police and Fire as appropriate. The safety of Post members responding is a top priority; the Post Commander will be responsible to make sure people are following safe operations during the emergency response. Untrained people tend to panic or freak out when a scary bad thing is happening and need someone to remind them of the safe way to do things. When members come on scene, they should be briefed of hazards; e.g. downed power lines, partial roof collapse, etc. Consider developing a checklist for the things that will be checked immediately upon arrival at the Post after a disaster.

Post Disaster Coordinator: This member is not just part of the planning process. The Post Disaster Coordinator also has a response role. There is a handy checklist at the end of this guide, but generally speaking, the Post Disaster Coordinator is responsible for staying close to the Commander to make sure that appropriate notifications are made and that documentation is done. This person is the communicator who pulls all the other position assignments together for the Commander. The Post Disaster Coordinator should have more advanced Incident Command System training to understand the big picture of the Police and Fire response to the scene.

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The Post Disaster Coordinator should tell the story of the disaster both in writing and with pictures. It is best if you have taken detailed pictures of your Post prior to the incident and put them somewhere safe away from the Post. Then when you take pictures after the incident, you will clearly be able to show that it is different from how it was before. For example, if the sidewalk is buckled after an earthquake but there is a mature tree nearby, how will you prove that the buckle in the sidewalk was caused by the earthquake and not the tree roots? Tip: Do you have a member who is skilled at photography?

Security: When you arrive on scene determine if your Post so damaged that you will have difficulty securing it before you can leave it for the day. Will you need to control access? Think of the liability of people picking through your building when there is no one there. Remember that when Police and Fire complete their response to the incident, they will be gone. Here are some things for you to consider:

~ Will you require some kind of identification for people to pass through your perimeter of security? How will it be set up?

~ Will you be able to simply lock the door and go home overnight, or will you need physical security (plywood on windows?) to keep people out?

~ Will you require people to sign in and out when accessing the property? What does the insurance company require?

~ If you have an alarm system for your Post, is it still working? Who will monitor it?

Logistics: The people in Logistics support the operational response. You need to pick a primary and alternate or even a team to handle maintenance and recovery of your facility after a disaster. This could be someone from your ALERT or someone else. Here are some ideas to consider for your Logistics Team:

~ Provide a single point of ordering for resources. ~ Conduct a structural safety survey of the Post facilities to establish habitability, assess the

need for repair, and determine procedures to mitigate damage. ~ Operate Post equipment, tools and utilities to safeguard life, property, and the

environment and to enable the continuation of Post operations.

~ Obtain resources to support the operational response. ~ If you have any safety hazards, this team would make sure that a hazard assessment is

done to keep people safe. ~ Provide food for those working on the operational response. ~ Coordinate with the Finance Officer to locate the Post somewhere else for temporary use

while the existing uninhabitable facility is under repair. ~ Restore phone service. ~ Provide all documentation of purchases to the Finance Officer and all documentation of

activities to the Post Commander and Disaster Coordinator.

Finance Officer: Your Finance Officer is going to want a full accounting of all response and recovery activities, including everyone's time spent in the effort. Was anyone injured? How was

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it handled? If the vet was working as a Disaster Service Worker, the Finance Officer will make sure that a Workers Compensation claim is filed with the State. The Finance Officer may need to assist by finding other facilities for the Post and bring that information to the Incident Commander. Documentation is critical. The Finance Officer may also involve an attorney (through your Judge Advocate?) if your Post is vulnerable to a lawsuit as a result of the incident.

Emergency Building Coordinator: This is an assigned position that should have a term of duty for 2 years. These are members who could educate members on safe evacuation of the Post, location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits, how to shelter-in-place, etc. You need to establish your primary and alternate building evacuation assembly points. The alternate evacuation assembly point should be established at right angle from the primary in case prevailing winds make it unsafe to go to the primary. Practice a building evacuation twice a year at a regular meeting and dinner. It is best to do it when it is light outside. Be considerate of the mobility impaired and ask them to stand by near the building when you are doing exercises. Here are a few things to remember:

>-- Establish evacuation assembly points that will be away from the traffic of first responders

>-- Evacuate at least 300 feet from the building (a football field) >-- Assist mobility and sight impaired >-- If the meeting is on the second floor and there is someone in a wheelchair, the elevator

should not work (The elevator shaft works like a chimney in a fire.). Send them to the top of the steps in the stairwell and have someone stay with them. As people are evacuating, tell responding fire fighters that there is someone at the top of the steps. They will go there first. Do NOT try to carry them and their wheelchair yourselves!!! This could endanger all of you and cause a domino effect knocking over other evacuees during the evacuation if you falter or dump the person out of the wheelchair accidentally. IF FIRE IS IMINENT, LEAVE THE WHEELCHAIR.AND TRY A FOUR-MAN CARRY TO CARRY THE PERSON TO SAFETY. THIS IS A LAST RESORT EFFORT!

>-- Conduct building evacuation exercise twice a year: once to the primary and once to the alternate.

>-- Always evacuate to the primary unless it is unsafe to do so, as determined by the Building Coordinator or leader in charge

>-- Encourage people to stay at the building evacuation assembly point until given other directions. The purpose of the assembly point is to have them all in one place so responders/officials can communicate with them.

>-- Sound the "all clear" when the exercise or threat is over.

Shelter-in-place: You shelter in place at home or at the Post because it is unsafe to go out. It is that simple. Below are some tips on sheltering for different events:

>-- Severe Weather: • Move away from exterior doors and windows to the core of the building.

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• Make sure that Building Coordinators have flashlights.

• Promote calm.

• Remain there until it is safe to go out.

• You can listen to a portable radio for updates on conditions. );;> Hazardous Dispersal ( example, overturned train car leaking chemicals)

• Move away from exterior doors and windows.

• Promote calm.

• Secure exterior doors if possible.

• Tape operable windows and doors with duct tape or stuff materials around the doors and windows to prevent leakage.

• Ensure that the HV AC system is turned off so no outside air is pulled into the building.

• Do Not open an exterior door under any circumstances until the "all clear" has been sounded and you are safe to go outdoors.

• When it is safe, evacuate and air out the building of any trace elements of the hazard before resuming normal operations.

);;> Active Shooter (Think survival mode.)

NOTES:

• Get out! Call out! Hide out! • If you hear gunshots, immediately get away if you are able (Get out!).

• Call 911 if you are able (Call out!)

• If the shooter is outside and you cannot flee, lock all doors and windows. Turn off the lights, and get down low. Turn off cell phone. Be very, very still (Hide out!).

• Do not come out until Police or other authorities tell you it is okay. Follow the directions of the Police when they direct you out of the building.

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RECOVERY

Recovery is what goes on after the immediate response. You are now working on timely resumption of normal operations. What will it take to get your Post up and running again, and who needs to know what happened? Your ALERT will still have responsibilities to take care of.

Demobilization: It is important that you release your members as soon as possible after the response to the disaster has stabilized the scene or situation. Make sure that your Finance Officer and Disaster Coordinator have all the information from them that will be needed for reports and claims. The "Standardized Disaster/Emergency Event Responder Checkout Briefing" will have to be completed. You will find one at the end of this guide.

After Action Report: You should debrief the response as soon as possible with all the key players. What in your Emergency Operations Plan worked and what didn't? What improvements to the plan need to be made? Make notifications to the District Commander and Area Vice Commander to give them a quick debriefing.

Post Disaster Coordinator: The Disaster Coordinator is responsible for completing a report to District Commander and Department Commander. It is called "Post Standardized Emergency Report". A copy of it is at the end of this guide. In this report, you will indicate what emergency supplies and equipment that need replacing and their value. Include hours and miles donated by members/ volunteers.

Other Considerations: You may have members that were seriously traumatized by the incident at the Post. How you can you get them help? Some members may just need to talk about it. Others may need professional care. Make sure you ask if anyone could use some assistance and direct them to appropriate support services.

Families may need support if the disaster was region-wide. Refer families to the American Legion National Emergency Fund. The instructions and form are at the end of this guide.

Update the Post Emergency Operations Plan.

NOTES:

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ASSISTING THE COMMUNITY

Keeping in mind that the American Legion is all about assisting the community, your members will likely want to help out in the community where ever they can after the immediate response to the Post. Encourage those that are interested to register as Disaster Service Workers (DSW) so they are covered for Workers Compensation in the event they are injured assisting in the disaster recovery. Members may be able to assist with clearing debris or repairing homes, distributing food and recovery supplies. Your members and Auxiliary members may be able to assemble emergency kits for elderly Post members that will help them shelter-in-place while it is less safe to go out.

American Red Cross Shelter: Your Post may have entered into an agreement with the Red Cross to provide shelter for displaced members of the community. First make sure that your Post is safe, then notify your contact at the Red Cross to let them know your facility is available if they need it.

What other support services can your Post provide to your community?

NOTES:

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FAMILY & PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS

An unprepared member is not an asset to your Post. A member who has done nothing to prepare his family will not be able assist with response/recovery operations at the Post. Leaders, starting with the Disaster Coordinator, should show the other members how easy it is to prepare at home so they will be motivated to do this for their own families. There are lots of great websites out there, but the FEMA website is the granddaddy of them all:

http://www.ready.gov/home

And for your members who do not have Internet access, there are some excellent emergency supplies checklists that can be used. You will find two examples provided by the American Legion at the end of this guide: (1) Home Emergency Preparedness and (2) The "Go-Bag".

House: Now what about your house? Do you live in a two-story house? Have you devised an alternative way to get down from the second floor if your normal path down the stairs is blocked in a fire? Have you determined where your family will meet if you have to quickly evacuate the house in a fire? Make sure it is 300 feet from your home. Practicing evacuation from your home is as important as it is at the Post. Make sure you call 911 from a safe place. Don't forget to check/change your smoke detectors twice a year.

If there is an earthquake, do you have a way to get your utilities shut off (gas) if you cannot get to your toolbox? Why not put a box wrench in a plastic bag and hang it on or near your utilities shut off. By the way, once you shut off your utilities, do not attempt to turn them back on yourself. And for heaven's sake do not use candles for light after an earthquake! Gas comes in rigid pipe and there could be a leak that you do not detect. Keep good shoes and a whistle next to your bed in case there is rubble or you are trapped under it.

Neighborhood: Devise an alternate way to come and go from your home. Now what if you couldn't get back home and everyone in your family is scattered all over during the day? How will you get together? Consider planning a place to go if you can't get home. It might be a 24-hour restaurant, church, friend/relative across town.

Evacuation: If authorities tell you to evacuate your neighborhood, be prepared to go. Do not stay there with your garden hose trying to fight a forest fire. Part of your preparedness is to make sure you have adequate insurance. When you acquire things for years, it is interesting to see what is truly important when you can only take a few of them with you. Make sure that you have your vital family records in something you can grab and go. Keep duplicates in a safe deposit box. Keep gas in your car.

Emergency Notifications: Whenever a region-wide disaster happens, communications capability is always one of the first things to break down. One planning safeguard is to have an out-of-town contact that you all carry in your wallet. Long distance calls may be operational a little longer than local calls. Also, use text messaging. Because texting uses a smaller bandwidth, you may be able to communicate by texting.

Shelter-in-place: What if you have to stay home for awhile? This is where those checklists come in handy so you can prepare your emergency supplies. Make sure that you have batteries for power outages. Do not use candles. In fact, bring out all that camping survival gear. You will have so much more fun with your kids. Remember that all of your supplies have some kind of shelf life; so rotate them and replace them according to directions for each item. Make sure that you stay on top of your medicines and

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not let them get too low. Have a stash of cash because ATMS will be out ifthere is a region-wide power outage. Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.

Public Shelters: What if you have to go into a public shelter? I you have large animals, such as horses, have an alternate place to stable them in case you have to leave your home. In this part of California, Cooling Centers may come in to play if we are in a heat wave and the power goes out. Once again, check on the elderly. The body cannot properly cool off at night if the nighttime temps are too high.

As you can see, the preparedness story permeates everything. It is everywhere. Whether your members are at home or at the Post when the bad thing happens, they will survive best if they have prepared their families to withstand a dramatic loss of goods and services. You've gotta have a plan!

NOTES:

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RESOURCES

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POST DISASTER COORDINATOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE CHECKLIST

D Notify District and Area Vice Commanders of the emergency, level of declaration, type, general location, and approximate number of people affected (see standard report format)

D Initiate the ALERT responder group notification process

D Initiate the Amateur Radio Club member notification process.

D Open the emergency supply and equipment locker I facility.

D Prepare a basic briefing of the emergency for all responding Legionnaires. The Post Emergency Response Checklist can be used as a guide.

D Assign responding ALERT members and other Legionnaires to specific tasks, including a temporary "Post Manager'' to set up, operate, and supervise Post maintenance, etc.

D Prepare a master list of all Legionnaires and others responding, including time in, time out, task and location assigned, and emergency contact information.

D Dispatch the pre-trained volunteer photographer to Post responder work sites as necessary.

D Notify the Post's insurance company I agent of any Post I building damages.

D Conduct periodic reviews of Legionnaire activities to ensure strategic objectives are appropriate and are being met.

D Assemble data I information and prepare periodic briefings for the District Commander and Area Vice Commander, news reporters, emergency responders and local officials.

1:1 Be prepared to report the current Post situation (including any areas evacuated) and support needs to the local emergency responders, county EOC, and NGO's such as Red Cross and Salvation Army as necessary.

1:1 Be prepared to brief your shift change, ensuring that ongoing activities and members responding are identified, and follow-up requirements are known.

D Ensure that coffee and other refreshments are prepared and available.

1:1 Ensure a rest area is prepared, and cots, chairs, and other support items are ready for use. Ensure restroom is equipped (TP, soaps, paper towels, trash container, plunger, etc.)

1:1 Ensure all areas are kept neat, clean, dry, ventilated, and safe. NOTE: Do not operate generators or BBQs or other carbon dioxide producing equipment indoors.

After an Emergency O Release personnel from the Post and Amateur Radio Club when crisis diminishes

O Receive final signed briefings I updates from personnel before they are released.

O Have debris in and around the Post cleaned up as soon as possible

O Prepare an inventory of Post supplies and equipment.

O Ensure all unused Post emergency supplies and equipment are properly stored and secured, and all items supplied by others are returned as appropriate.

O Contact the District and Area Vice Commander and verbally debrief as necessary

O Document all Post damage with both pictures and written descriptions, and be prepared to provide the documentation to the Post's insurance agent I company

O Prepare a final written report to the Post Commander, District Commander and Department Commander on the overall emergency, the Post's response, and final results, including an inventory of emergency supplies and equipment that need replacing and estimated costs (see Standardized Post Report form). Include hours and funds donated, total miles driven.

O Re-check this checklist.

The American Legion Department of California Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Response Pian

STANDARDIZED DISASTER I EMERGENCY EVENT

RESPONDER CHECKOUT BRIEFING

Date I Time of Briefing: ________ Prepared by: __________ _ Contact Information: Phone: email: -----------

Filed With: D Post Commander D Post Disaster Coordinator D Other: -----POST INFORMATION

Cl Post Number: Location: District: Area: ---a Post Commander: --------------------------1:l Post Disaster Preparedness and Response Coordinator:

RESPONDER BRIEFING Cl Method contacted: CJ Telephone D Email D In Person D Other: ___ _

Cl Time I Date In: Time I Date Out: --------- -----------Cl Total Time Donated this period: ____ hrs

Cl Please list any injuries sustained during this shift: --------------

1:l Were injuries reported? CJ Yes D No Injury treated: D Yes D No

Cl Estimated value of supplies/equipment expended /used up/lost this shift: $ ____ _

Cl Estimated mileage driven this shift (include miles to and from home, etc.) ____ _

Cl Total estimated value of items or funds donated during this shift: $ _______ _

Cl List tasks assigned to you this shift:

Cl List any difficulties you experienced during this shift: ___________ _

Cl Do you feel you could benefit from personal one-on-one counseling if offered ? __ _

Cl Please provide your recommendations on future supplies and equipment needs, and improvements in task assignments, communications, training, support and housing that should be considered: ------------------------

_______________________ ,(attach a separate sheet of paper ifnecessary)

CJ I hereby give permission for my photographic image to be used by the American Legion in future public relations materials:

This Responder Checkout Briefing is true and complete: ___________ _ (Attach additional narrative pages to this form as necessary)

The American Legion Department of California Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Response Plan

POST STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORT

Date I Time of Report: ________ Prepared by: __________ _ Contact Information: Phone: email: ----------

Filed With: D Post Commander D District Commander D Area Vice Commander

O What exactly happened and when: --------------------

O Where did it happen ------------------------

O What was the cause -------------------------O What city I area I population was affected ----------------­

O How long will they be I were they affected ----------------

O Local Media Report: How many dead I injured I missing __________ _

O What is the extent of the damage --------------------O How did we learn of the incident --------------------O When did we respond ------------------------O How many Legionnaires responded -------------------

D What has been done so far ---------------------~

O Is the Post being utilized by Red Cross or other NGO? D Yes D No

D What is the long-term situation -------------------~ O What is the short-term situation --------------------O What decisions are needed at District Level ----------------D What decisions are needed at Area Level -----------'----------D Damage to the Post (interior, exterior) and estimated repair costs ---------D Equipment that needs replacement and estimated cost -------------

D Emergency Supplies that need replacement and estimated cost _________ _

(Attach additional narrative and inventory sheets as necessary) The American Legion Department of California Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Response Plan

THE AMERICAN LEGION NATIONAL EMERGENCY FUND ,

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS.VERY CAREFULLY NOT FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS COULD DELAY PROCESSING

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER GRANTS: Grants from this fund provide emergency assistance to The American Legion or Sons of The American Legion current members in areas devastated by a declared natural disaster, to include floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and related adverse weather events. You must have been displaced or evacuated from primary residence and had out-of-pocket expenses to provide for food, clothing and shelter. These funds are not designed for insurance · compensation or to cover monetary losses from a business, structures on your property (barns, tool sheds), equipment or vehicles. Individual members may apply for assistance. Only one grant per household (up to $1,500.00) will be approved. ·

POST GRANTS: Same criteria apply. Post Grants (up to $5,000.00) must derive from a declared natural disaster. Substantiating information must provide that The American Legion Post will cease to perform the duties and activities in the community due to losses sustaine~ A written report from a Post, District or Department officer outlining losses and the impact on community should be provided with the Grant Application. The NEF is not a replacement for insurance. It is the responsibility of each Post to have necessary insurance to sustain operations in the event of damage.

. .

REQUIRED APPLICATION INFORMATION: Department and National Headquarters must have sufficient, documented information to justify the need. The application must be filled out completely and accurately. Ifneeded, .attach additional sheet(s) for supporting data (photos, receipts for temporary lodging and food, work estimates, etc.). NOTE: Grant requests must be submitted through the proper channels and reach National Headquarters within 90 days of the date of the disaster.

DISTRIBUTION OF COPIES: Applicant will forward original and all supporting documentation to Department Headquarters for processing. Keep a copy of all everything for your records. All grant requests must be reviewed and signed by the Department Commander or Department Adjutant before being sent to National Headquarters. Make sure you have included ALL proper documentation and photos of hardship to help justify the grant request.

RECOMMENDATION/SIGNATURE OF NEF GRANT APPLICATION: After reviewed by Department, if additional information is.needed, the Department will either call or return the application to the individual member or local Post for resubmission. If the application is properly completed, a recommendation will be made and si~ed by either the Department Commander or Adjutant with the recommended_ amount, then forwarded to the National Emergency Fund Coordinator for action. When approved by the National Adjutant, a check will be issued and forwarded to Department Headquarters for issuance to the applicant. ·

If any of the above criteria has not been met, the application will be rejected and returned to Department Headquarters for amendment or further clarification. If the application is disapproved, it will be returned to Department Headquarters who will notify the applicant.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE COMPLETION OF THIS APPLICATION, CONTACT YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS FOR HELP.

The American Legion National Emergency Fund

Application For (Check Only One):

D Individual Member Grant (Circle One) Legion Auxiliary SAL O Post Grant - Must be Completed by Authorized Post Officer

PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS ON COVER PAGE PRIOR TO COMPLETING FORM

DATE OF DISASTER: --------­(MUST Be Wzthin Past 90 Days)

TYPE OF DISASTER: ----------­(Must Be Declared Natural County, State Or Federal Disast~)

LOCATION OF DISASTER: CITY COUNTY STATE Name ___________________ _

(Last) (First) (Ml) American Legion Membership ID# -c---..,....,..-,------,-­

(Must Be Current At Date Of Disaster .And Application)

Post# ____ _ Dept.------ Post Office Held ---:::--c=----c::.-:--.----------­(For Post Grants Only)

How Long Were You Evacuated/Displaced? ---------------------------­(Note: Must Have Been Evacuated Or Displaced To Apply For Funds. See Instructions.)

Damaged/EvacuatedAddress _______________________________ _

Physical Address (Street Address) (City) (State) (Zip)

Current/Temp.Address:---------------------------------CurrentPhone# ______ ~-- CellPhone# ________ email Address __________ _

Damages I Description Of Loss (Include Supporting Documentation: i.e., Photographs, Repair Estimates, Written StaJements, etc.):

List Out-Of-Pocket Expenses Due To Evacuation I Displacement (Must Only Cover Food, Oothing, Shelter, Gas, etc. See Instructions):

Repair I ~eplacement Estimate:$ ----- Other Sources Of Reimbursement: ------------­(Insurance, Donations, State/Federal Aid, Other Disaster Funds)

Amount: S --------

Applicant Signature: Date:

FOR DEPARTMENT AND NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS USE:

DEPARTMENT: Approve or Disapprove Recommended Amount: S --------

Signature: Date: ------

NEF ADMINISTRATOR: Approve or Disapprove Recommended Amount: S -------

Signature:---------------- Date: ------

NATIONAL ADJUTANT: Approve or Disapprove Amount: S --------

Signature: --------------­

Comments:

Date: ----------

-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-::--~~~~~~~~~~~~

30-076 (Revised 10/07) NATIONAL COPY

THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA

DISASTER RELIEF APPLICATION

Please Print or Type

401 Van Ness Ave., Suite H 7 San Francisco, CA. 94102-4587 Phone: (415) 431-2400 FAX: (415) 255-1571 FAX TO DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS

1. ----------------~----~-----~ (First) (Middle) (Last)

2. Membership#: _______ _

3. Address:-------------------------(Street or P.O. Box#) (City) (State) (Zip)

4. Phone: L) ____ 5. SIGNATURE: ------------

6. Description of Loss ---------------------­(Attach any and all supporting documents, i.e. photographs, repair estimates, etc.)

7. Repair/ReplacementEstimates: $ ________________ _

8. I have reviewed the above information and certify that the information given is true to the best of niy knowledge. I also certify that the above names person is a member in good standing of The American Legion, Department of California. ·

Recommended Ammmt: $ -------------__ APPROVE

__ APPROVE

__ DISAPPROVE . Signature: ----------(Post/District Commander)

__ DISAPPROVE Signature: --------­(Area Disaster & Relief Commissioner)

NOTE: All signatures (Applicant, Post/District Commander, and Area Disaster & Relief Commissioner) must accompany this form before processing.

Form ALDC-AF1 (Revised 10/24/07)

B

B

Home Emergency Preparedness After a major disaster, the usual services we take for granted such as running water, refrigeration, electricity, and telephones, may be unavailable. Experts recommend that you should be prepared to be self-sufficient, sheltering in place, for at least three days. That means being able to cook foods, wash, and do other things for 3 days or longer. Ten days worth of supplies is recommended. Recent disastrous storms on the east coast and the giant earthquake in Japan show that a 30-day supply is not unreasonable.

Once you begin to gather your home disaster I emergency items, they should be stored in an easily accessible, dry, and safe location. One idea is to put the items in a large, watertight container (e.g. a large plastic garbage can with a lid and wheels) that will protect the items and allow you to move them to another location easily if necessary.

Your basic home emergency supplies should include: Water - one gallon per person per day Food - at least a 10-day supply of ready to eat or requiring minimal water such as:

• Canned meats (tuna I chicken I spam I beef) and vegetables • Canned soups & stews • Dehydrated Meals (provided water is available) • Packaged products like power bars, granola bars, pop-tarts, etc. • Canned milk (dry milk is also suggested, provided water is available) • Hard candies • Drink mix, instant coffee, tea bags

Manual can opener and other cooking supplies (pan, large spoon, dish soap, etc.) Portable stove with fuel (cooking outside with such a stove is highly recommended):

• Multi-fuel "Coleman" type 2-burner stove (i.e. white gas & unleaded gas) • Propane Stove • Sterno collapsible stove

Disposable plates, utensils and other eating items Well-equipped First Aid kit with extra supplies such as elastic bandages, gauze

Compresses, etc. and instructions, mosquito repellent 2-week supply of prescriptions and multi-vitamins Extra sets of prescription glasses & sunglasses Solar I hand crank I battery- powered AM I FM I Weather radio Solar powered lights (4) I battery powered LED lantern I Cyalume glow sticks (8)

( emergency candles not recommended but can be used for temporary light if extreme care is used to locate on I in fireproof locations)

A copy of important documents & phone numbers Warm clothes, extra boots I shoes, and rain gear for each family member. Heavy work gloves I safety goggles I dust masks Disposable I Digital camera

Matches Unscented liquid household bleach and an eyedropper for water purification Personal hygiene items including extra toilet paper, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer

and antibacterial soap Clear plastic sheeting, duct tape and utility knife for covering broken windows Tools such as a crowbar, hammer & nails, staple gun, adjustable wrench, fiberglass

handled shovel & rake, rope, bungee cords, screw drivers, nails, screws, tree saw, plastic cable ties, stainless steel wire, electrical tape

Firewood for heat, including kindling Blanket or sleeping bag for each person in the family (30 degree rating recommended) Zip locking freezer-size bags Large heavy duty plastic bags for trash, and a plastic bucket with plastic bags for waste

and sanitation (not recommended, but in an emergency, a small amount of waste can be directly buried - not in a container or bag - in a 12" deep hole at least 25 feet from any IMng or water areas).

Any special-needs items for babies, children, seniors, or people with disabilities. Pet food, water, medications and supplies, including leash and portable carrier Deck of cards, paperback books, board games and other personal entertainment items

Optional Items may include:

0 0 0 0 0

§ 0

Solar battery I cell phone chargers Solar stove I oven Bicycle with spare tubes and tire repair kit Electrical generator with 1 week's fuel and oil 100 ft. 12-guage all-weather extension cord Gas powered chain saw with fuel & oil, safety gear, and chain sharpener HD plastic sheeting sufficient to cover all windows and roof HD stapler and staples or sheetrock nails Measuring tape (25')

NOTES:

• Water heaters typically hold up to 40 gallons of water that can be drained and used if necessary. Bathtubs can also be filled and used as extra water resource.

• Water can be treated with 8-16 drops (1/4 teaspoon) of non-scented chlorine bleach to kill bacteria. Let stand for 30 minutes. Double for cloudy water.

• All canned foods should be rotated at their expiration date. • Never use a BBQ indoors. • Solar stove I oven plans are available on-line, are easy to create, and cost

almost nothing to build. Daytime sun can create temperatures up to 140 deg. • Non-sparking natural gas shutoff wrenches are recommended • Generators must be run outdoors, but under a porch or canopy during rain or

snow

Get Pre2are_d __ ~ . .:,,

The "Go-Bag"

One component of disaster preparedness is your "Go-Bag". A Go-Bag is a backpack or other easy-to-carry container that you keep close by in case you must deal with a disaster or other emergency, and have to evacuate to a safe place quickly. Since you might have to be away from home for several days, your "Go-Bag" contents should include not only foods, water and support equipment, but personal comfort items as well.

Many folks keep their "Go-Bag0 in the trunk of their car. This is highly practical, as long as you park your car outside and away from structures that could collapse in an earthquake; and provided nothing in it is affected by heat. The items listed are individually very light weight. However, combined, the bag can weigh as much as 20 lbs.- primarily due to weight of liquids.

You should prepare one "Go-Bag" for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. Remember, you may not need to evacuate your home, but be required to stay there for several days without utilities, and unable to get any

support by anyone for some time. So you should also have emergency supplies in your home to last at least 10 days (a separate recommended list is available).

Also remember that you might be at work when an emergency or disaster strikes, and you may not be able to get home. So it would be prudent to keep some supplies in a small container at work. Those items should be based on what you would need at work for your immediate safety and comfort until the emergency subsides. Remember, it is far better to have the items and never need them, than to the items in an emergency and not have them. Advance preparedness is key.

Go-Bag Contents: D Flashlight (waterproof) (LED recommended) with fresh batteries and backup batteries D AM I FM I Weather radio - battery, solar or windup operated, with earphones (note: a

radio that includes shortwave bands is even better) O Extra Radio Batteries D Whistle (USCG approved water I storm proof ) D Dust masks & heavy work gloves D Folding knife (larger blade) D Emergency survival blanket (metalized polyester "space blanket") or survival bag D Emergency I votive I t-light candles with holder D Matches (windproof/waterproof) in a waterproof container, butane lighter, or other fire

starter (hint: a baggie with dryer lint makes excellent kindling) D Cup, bowl, plate (polyvinyl), knit~, fork, spoon (lexan), and water bottle

..

D Can opener (military fold-up type recommended) D One climbing-rated spring-gated carabinier and several "mini-biners" D Stainless steel or polymer mirror D Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls D Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes (including underwear), and hat D Local map D Compass D Some emergency foods and water:

El D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

D D D

• several small bottles of water • power bars I granola bars I nutrition bars @ 1200 calories/day/person • powdered gatorade, tea bags, coffee bags, sugar packets, salt packets, etc. • hard candies & gum

Reflector arm band or waist band First Aid Kit with alcohol wipes, band-aids, anti-bacterial ointment, tweezers, etc. Hand sanitizer Water purification tablets Permanent marker, pen, paper and tape Parachute cord (Military Spec) or other strong lightweight rope Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes List of emergency point-of-contact addresses, phone numbers, email, etc. List of drug and food allergies ( especially antibiotics) Copy of health insurance and identification cards Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items Prescription medications, aspirin, ibuprofin, mosquito repellent, etc. Feminine items as required Small personal rolls I packets of toilet paper Toothbrush I toothpaste, safety razor, soap, and shampoo Antibacterial soap & container Sun screen Deck of plastic coated playing cards, paperback book, or other personal entertainment

items Extra keys to your house, mailbox, and vehicle Bandana I hat Viscose (quick drying) towel

In-Car Preparedness Items Some folks keep their Go Bag inside their home with a plan to take it with them if a disaster strikes and they have to leave quickly. Others keep one Go Bag in their home and another in their car. Regardless, your car should also have the following items:

D Flashlight (waterproof) LED r~commended, with batteries D Granola Bars I Power Bars D Wrecking bar or crow bar D Folding shovel D Short-stroke hand saw D Light weight tarp (10'X10') D 50 foot rope D Sleeping bag or polyester blankets (in waterproof bag) D Tool box with standard hand tools (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, adjustable

wrench, wire, box I open end wrenches, etc.)