Chapter 26Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Preparedness

• Disasters are a fact of life.• Disaster training is essential.

Earthquake

• A sudden, rapid shaking of the earth

• Results in– Collapse of

buildings and bridges

– Utility disruptions– Other natural

disasters

Courtesy of D. Perkins/USGS9.

Earthquake: What to Do

• If indoors– Take cover or crouch next to a large, sturdy

object or against a wall.– Avoid windows and outside doors.– Crouch, and cover face.– Stay indoors until shaking stops.– Beware of aftershocks.

Earthquake: What to Do

• If in bed, stay there.• If in high-rise building, use stairs.• If outdoors, lie in a spot clear of buildings,

trees, power lines.• If in a vehicle, pull over and stay there with

your seat belt fastened.

Earthquake: What to Do

• If you are trapped in debris, do not panic.– Cover mouth and nose with cloth.– Tap on wall or pipe.

• Learn to turn off your gas supply.

Flood

• Common natural disaster

• Rains can cause run-off

• Can occur even when water source is miles away

Courtesy of Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA.

Flood: What to Do

• Move to higher ground.• Check radio, television, and social media.• If flood watch is issued, prepare to

evacuate.• Do not walk through moving water.• Do not drive into flooded areas.• If flood water rises, abandon car.

Heat Wave

• In extreme heat and high humidity, it is difficult for the body to maintain normal temperature.

Data from NOAA’s National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services

(http://www.weather.gov/om/hazstats.shtml).

Heat Wave: What to Do

• Stay in the coolest location.• Drink plenty of water; avoid alcohol.• Never leave children or pets in vehicles.• Dress in loose-fitting clothes.• Protect your face and head from sun.

Heat Wave: What to Do

• Avoid too much sunshine.• Avoid strenuous work during the hottest

part of the day.• Spend at least 2 hours in air-conditioning.• Check on family and friends.

Hurricane

• A tropical storm with winds greater than 74 miles per hour

• Torrential rains, high winds, storm surges © John Lund/Blend Images/Alamy.

Hurricane: What to Do

• Check for hurricane watch.• Secure your home.• If not evacuating, prepare for the worst.• If evacuating:

– Prepare backpacks with disaster supplies.– Fuel your vehicle; review evacuation routes.

Hurricane: What to Do

• Evacuate early if:– Authorities announce evacuation.– You live in mobile home or high-rise.– You live near water.– You think you are in danger.

Hurricane: What to Do

• If local authorities order an evacuation– Leave immediately.– Follow evacuation routes.

• If not evacuating, protect from strong wind.• Avoid using phone.

Landslides

• Masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope.

• Occur in every state• Small or large, fast or slow• Associated with heavy rainfall or rapid

snowmelt

Landslide: What to Do

• Stay alert.• Consider evacuating.• Listen for unusual sounds.• Watch for changes in water flow.• Be alert when driving.• If at home, move to second level.

Tornado

• Violent windstorm; twisting, funnel-shaped cloud

• Spawned by thunderstorm or hurricane

Courtesy of the National Weather Service Forecast/NOAA.

Tornado: What to Do

• Go to windowless interior or below-ground room.

• Get under sturdy furniture.• If outdoors, get indoors or lie in a ditch.• If at work, go to designated shelter.• If you are in a vehicle, get out and take

shelter in a nearby building.

Tsunami

• Series of waves generated by an undersea disturbance

• Most waves are less than 18 feet.• Risk areas are less than 50 feet

above sea level and less than 1 mile from shore.

Tsunami: What to Do

• Listen for emergency information.• Stay away until told it is safe to return.• Do not go to the shoreline.• Do not assume tsunami is over after first

wave.

Volcano Eruption

• Volcano: mountain that opens to reservoir of molten rock

• Danger from ash, falling rock, landslides, and floods

Volcano Eruption: What to Do

• Follow evacuation orders.• If indoors, close all windows and doors.• If outdoors, seek shelter.• Protect yourself.• Stay out of volcano area.

Wildfire

• Most common during long, dry, hot spells• Caused by human carelessness

Courtesy of John Hutmacher/USFS.

Wildfire: What to Do

• Listen for emergency information.• Follow evacuation orders.

– Choose a route away from fire.– Watch for direction of fire.– Do not block firefighting entrance routes.

Winter Storm

• Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region.

© Igumnova Irina/ShutterStock.

Winter Storm: What to Do

• Listen for emergency information.• Conserve fuel.• Eat and drink regularly.• Never use outside heat sources indoors.

Winter Storm: What to Do

• If outdoors:– Dress warmly in layers.– Avoid overexertion.– Be aware of signs of frostbite or hypothermia.– Change out of wet clothing.

Winter Storm: What to Do

• If trapped in a vehicle:– Pull over, turn on hazards, stay in vehicle.– Run the engine and heater 10 minutes per

hour to keep warm.– Exercise.– Take turns sleeping.– Avoid dehydration.– Conserve battery power.

Hazardous Materials Incidents

• Chemicals can become hazardous during production, transportation, storage, and disposal.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Hazardous Materials Incident: What to Do

• Call 9-1-1.• Stay away from the incident site.• Stay upstream, uphill, and upwind.• If in a vehicle, go inside or close windows

and vents.• Follow evacuation instructions.

• If requested to stay indoors– Close doors and windows.– Shut off air-conditioning and vents.– Seal yourself in above-ground room.– Listen to emergency broadcasts.– When danger has passed, flush out air.

Hazardous Materials Incident: What to Do

Nuclear Power Plants

• Operate in most states• Produce 20% of power • Unintentional radiation exposures are

possible.

Nuclear Power Plant Emergency: What to Do

• Tune in to radio and television.• Follow evacuation orders.• Remain indoors.• Do not use phone unless necessary.• If you suspect exposure, take a shower.

– Seal clothes in a plastic bag.– Seek medical treatment.

Terrorism

• Use of force or violence for intimidation, coercion, or ransom

Courtesy of Andrea Booher/FEMA.

Terrorism

• Homeland Security Advisory system provides threat levels.

© Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Chemical and Biologic Agents

• Chemical warfare agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids, or solids.

• Biologic agents are organisms or toxins that can kill or incapacitate people, livestock, and crops.

Chemical or Biologic Attack:What to Do

• Follow emergency broadcast directions.• If indoors

– Turn off all ventilation.– Go into room with fewest openings.– Seal doors and windows.– Avoid furnace or utility room.– Do not use major appliances.

Chemical or Biologic Attack:What to Do

• If outdoors– Remain in protected areas.– Try and get upwind and indoors.

Nuclear and Radiologic Weapons

• Nuclear explosions cause blinding light, intense heat, radiation, and fires.

• A radiologic dispersion device (dirty bomb) is designed to scatter sublethal radiation.

Nuclear or Radiologic Attack:What to Do

• Avoid looking at the flash or fireball.• Take cover as soon as warned.• If outside, lie on ground and cover head.• Beware of blast waves.• Protect from fallout.• Keep a battery-powered radio with you.