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

• Power outages• Other natural

disasters

Courtesy of D. Perkins/USGS9

What to Do During an Earthquake (1 of 3)

• If indoors:• Take cover under sturdy table, desk or

bench, against wall• Avoid windows and outside doors• Crouch, cover face• Stay indoors until shaking stops• Beware of aftershocks

What to Do During an Earthquake (2 of 3)

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

buildings.• If in a vehicle, pull over and stay there

with your seatbelt fastened.

What to Do During an Earthquake (3 of 3)

• 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• Can cause run-

off• Can occur even

when water source is miles away.

Courtesy of Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA

What to Do During a Flood• Move to higher ground.• Listen to radio or television.• If flood watch is issued, prepare to

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

abandon car.

Heat Wave (1 of 2)

• In extreme heat and high humidity, it is difficult to cool off the body.

• People in urban areas are at greater risk.

Heat Wave (2 of 2)

Data source: NOAA's National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services (http://www.weather.gov/om/hazstats.shtml).

What to Do During a Heat Wave (1 of 2)

• 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.

What to Do During a Heat Wave (2 of 2)

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

warmest 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

© Photos.com

What to Do During a Hurricane(1 of 3)

• Listen for hurricane watch.• Secure your home.• If not evacuating, prepare for the worst.• If evacuating, prepare backpacks with

disaster supplies.• Fuel your vehicle and review

evacuation routes.

What to Do During a Hurricane(2 of 3)

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

What to Do During a Hurricane(3 of 3)

• 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

What to Do During a Landslide• Stay alert.• Consider evacuating.• Listen for unusual sounds.• Be alert when driving.• If you remain at home, move to

the second level.

Tornado• Violent

windstorm; twisting, funnel-shaped cloud

• Spawned by thunderstorm or hurricane

Courtesy of the National Weather Service Forecast/NOAA

What to Do During a Tornado• 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• Risk of drowning

What to Do During a Tsunami• 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 due to ash, falling rock,

landslides, and floods

What to Do During a Volcano Eruption

• Follow evacuation orders.• If indoors, close all windows and doors.• If outdoors, seek shelter and avoid low-

lying areas.• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.• Use goggles to protect your eyes.• Use a dust mask.• Stay out of volcano area.

Wildfire• Most common

during long, dry, hot spells

• Caused by human carelessness

Courtesy of John Hutmacher/USFS

What to Do During a Wildfire• Listen for emergency information.• Follow evacuation orders.• Choose a route away from fire. • Watch for direction of fire.• Do not block entrance routes.

Winter Storm• Heavy snowfall

and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. © Igumnova Irina/ShutterStock, Inc.

What to Do During a Winter Storm (1 of 3)

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

indoors.

What to Do During a Winter Storm (2 of 3)

• If outdoors:• Dress warmly in layers.• Avoid overexertion.• Be aware of signs of frostbite or

hypothermia.• Change wet clothing.

What to Do During a Winter Storm (3 of 3)

• 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.

What to Do During a Hazardous Materials Incident

( 1 of 2)• Call 9-1-1.• Stay away from the incident site.• If outside, stay upstream, uphill

and upwind.• If in a vehicle, go inside or close

windows and vents.• Follow evacuation instructions.

What to Do During a Hazardous Materials Incident

( 2 of 2)

• If requested to stay indoors:• Close doors and windows.• Shut off air-conditioning and vents.• Seal yourself in above-ground room

with few openings.• Listen to emergency broadcasts.

Nuclear Power Plants• Operate in most states• Produce 20% of power• Unintentional radiation exposures

are possible.

What to Do During a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency

• 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 (1 of 2)

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

Courtesy of Andrea Booher/FEMA

Terrorism (2 of 2)

• Homeland Security Advisory system provides threat levels.

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.

What to Do During a Chemical or Biologic Attack (1 of 2)

• Follow emergency broadcast directions.• If indoors:

• Turn off all ventilation.• Go into room with fewest openings.• Seal doors and windows.

What to Do During a Chemical or Biologic Attack (2 of 2)

• If outdoors:• Remain in protected areas.• Try and get upwind and inside.

Nuclear and Radiologic Weapons

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

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

What to Do During a Nuclear or Radiologic Attack

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