family readiness education

Family Readiness EducationHazards in New MexicoDavid P. OBrien Ph.DProject SpecialistDepartment of Extension Home [email protected]

Workshop GoalsPossible HazardsBasic ReadinessHazards ResponseInformation Sources

WeatherFlood

WeatherTornadoes & Hail

WeatherWinter storms

Wildland Fire

Earthquake

Radioactive Materials

Dirty Bomb

Facility Attack

Other Hazards in BriefPower Outages

Hazardous MaterialsBiological Threats

Basic Home SafetySmoke Alarms

Carbon Monoxide [CO] Alarms

Have a Fire Extinguisher

Alternate Heat SourceWARNING: Carbon Monoxide danger

Basic ReadinessStructural SecurityRoof Tie DownFrame Bolted to FoundationWind Safe RoomFamily Emergency PlanDisaster Supplies KitVehicle Emergency Kits

Basic ReadinessInformation ReadinessPortable Radio/TVExtra BatteriesNOAA Weather RadioPublic Alert LogoTone Alert S.A.M.E.Battery Backup

FloodDetermine RiskFlood InsuranceRenters InsurancePlan for EvacuationCheck Your InsuranceFloodFireRentersReview Flood Readiness Guide

Tornado and HailDetermine Risk

Review Readiness Guide

Winter StormsDetermine Risk


Wildland FireDetermine Risk


EarthquakeDetermine Risk


Radioactive MaterialsDetermine Risk


Power OutageDetermine Risk


Hazardous MaterialsDetermine Risk


Biological HazardDetermine Risk


Information SourcesLocal AgenciesRed Cross ChapterAsk QuestionsInternet SitesFEMANOAAState of New Mexico

*Created by David OBrien Ph.D., Special Projects, Department of Extension Home Economics, [email protected] Edited by M. Fahzy Abdul-Rahman, [email protected] in November 2009

I want to talk with you today about the first of three things you need to be ready to deal with a disaster. This first step to readiness is to be informed about possible hazards and what to do if the worst happens to you.

There other two things you need are a family disaster plan and a disaster supplies kit. Those are separate workshops that we can offer.

*The first goal of this workshop is to make you aware of the kinds of hazards that could occur in New Mexico.

The second goal is introduce you to the two basic readiness actions every family should take to cope with an emergency.

The third one is to acquaint you with the specific responses you should take for the various hazards covered in this workshop. This covers before, during and after each emergency.

Our final goal is to provide sources where you can obtain information about hazards for your local area and more information about family readiness.

NOTE TO AGENTS: More detailed information about each hazard type is in the Hazards in Brief Information Resource.*Weather can be a source of danger to life and property in New Mexico.

Floods are the most common and widespread natural hazard in the United States. General floods are seldom widespread in New Mexico.

Heavy summer thunderstorms may bring several inches of rain to small areas in a short time. Flash floods can occur with little or no warning and can reach full peak within minutes. This is a picture taken during the June 22, 2006 flash flood in Alamogordo, New Mexico (New Mexico Floodplain Managers Association).

*All 33 counties in New Mexico experience severe thunderstorms producing high winds, large hail, deadly lightning, and heavy rains at some time during the year. Tornadoes have been verified in most counties. For the most part New Mexico experiences weak, short-lived tornadoes. Shown here on the left is a photo just before a tornado at Cimarron, New Mexico in 1996. The photo on the right shows the Post Office after the storm.

Severe storms, including tornadoes, are sometimes accompanied by hail. Most counties across the eastern half of the state will see large hail ranging from golf ball to softball size several times during the spring and summer thunderstorm. Smaller hail is much more frequent and common. Counties in the central and western areas will see damaging hail at least twice each year.

*Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. Even areas which normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major snow storm or extreme cold. The results range from dangerous driving conditions to isolation in rural and suburban areas. (Photo by KOB TV viewer, Jan12-14, 2007 storm dropped about 15 inches in Regina, New Mexico)

*Housing developments have extended into former wildland areas, bringing wildfire danger to more people and property especially when there is a draught. Historically humans cause most wildfires. Once started, nature takes over. Grass fires deserve special mention since they can be deceptive and dangerous. A small increase in wind speed can cause the flame front to jump from waist high to more than twice the height of an adult in a matter of seconds.*The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) lists New Mexico as a high risk state for the occurrence of an earthquake. Earthquakes in New Mexico are not nearly as frequent or as big as those in some other states.

Earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or more can cause significant property damage but are relatively rare events in New Mexico. A magnitude 5.5 earthquake in 1966 caused $200,000 in damage on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation. The most active earthquake area is in the center of the state near Socorro.

This map shows earthquakes in New Mexico with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater during the time period 1869-1998. (http://tremor.nmt.edu/faq/hazard.html taken from Sanford et al. (2002 )). *

Finally, dispersal of radioactive materials could occur from an explosive device packaged with radioactive materials to create what is called a a dirty bomb. Radioactive materials would be expelled and carried by wind. A typical dirty bomb likely will not contain enough radioactive material to create an immediate life-threatening hazard. The hazard comes from extended exposure and the inhalation or ingestion of radioactive materials.

An attack on facilities that use a large quantity of radioactive materials could possibly release a significant amount of radioactive material. The state and counties surrounding a nuclear facility site have established procedures in place to respond to incidences. Sheltering or evacuation would be ordered for a predetermined area, probably prior to the release of any radioactive material.

There are no nuclear power plants in New Mexico. The closest nuclear power plant is approximately 200 miles west of the New Mexico border, near Phoenix, Arizona. The next closest one is southwest of Ft. Worth, Texas, 350 miles from our eastern border. (Public Domain photo of Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant from www.wikipedia.com.)*

Power interruptions happen from time to time. Some outages happen because of extreme weather or other disasters. When the power is out, we lose our primary source of artificial light and many lose their source of heat, water and refrigeration. Safety, including food safety, is a major concern especially during extended outages.

Accidents involving toxic substances have occurred in communities across the country. For instance, chemical spills can occur anywhere chemical substances are stored, manufactured, or transported by road or rail. These accidents sometimes result in evacuation for hours or days.

Biological emergencies can be natural, accidental, negligent or intentional. Natural emergencies could be pandemic influenza. Bio-terrorist health emergencies could include an intentional release of smallpox or anthrax. When such emergencies are experienced, they are dealt with by local public health, emergency medical services and public safety agencies working together to control and contain the disaster.*Every home should have working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms as well as a general purpose fire extinguisher.

Smoke alarms reduce your chances of dying in a home fire by about 50%. For new homes, interconnected smoke alarms are required on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom.

Install CO alarms following the manufacturers instructions. It is especially important to have a CO alarm near sleeping areas. Use only CO alarms with labels showing they meet the requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms (UL 2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01). Test and maintain the smoke and CO alarms according to the manufacturers instructions.

Get training from the fire department in how to use your fire extinguisher (A-B-C type), and show household members where extinguishers are kept. Different extinguishers operate in different ways. Make sure that responsible members of the household know how to use your particular model. There is no time to read directions during an emergency.

Consider having an alternate heating source, such as a fireplace, wood- or coal-burning stove, or space heater. Be sure all heating sources are installed according to local codes and permit requirements and are clean and in working order. WARNING: Burning any fuel in a confined space without proper ventilation will quickly generate Carbon Monoxide that will cause injury or death.*Bolt your house to the foundation to reduce earthquake damage; or take other measures you may find on www.fema.gov (click on Preparation and Prevention). If your area is especially prone to tornadoes, you might increase physical protection with a wind safe room. (see Wind Safe Room)Plan home escape routes. Determine the best escape routes from inside your home in case a fire or other emergency requires you to leave the house quickly. Find two ways out of each room.Check to make sure that access and evacuation are manageable for elderly members of your household or those with disabilities.Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit and stock emergency supplies. Keep readily accessible in a portable container supplies that would meet your needs for at least three days. You can use these if you shelter at home or if you evacuate. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicles. (See Tips for Preparing Your Disaster Supplies Kit, Foods to Stock at Home and in Your Disaster Supplies Kit, and Emergency Supplies for Your Vehicle.)

*

Be information ready by having a portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries in your Disaster Supplies Kit. Maintaining a communication link with the outside is a step that can mean the difference between life and death. Make sure that everyone knows where the portable, battery operated radio or television is located, and always keep a supply of extra, fresh batteries.

Consider buying a NOAA Weather Radio. This is the best way to receive warnings from the National Weather Service. Models which meet the NOAA requirements have a special Public Alert Logo on them and have a tone-alert feature for night-time warning and a Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) feature. The SAME feature automatically alerts you when a watch or warning is issued for your county. A model with battery backup is recommended in case of power failure. [NOAA is the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. We used to call it the Weather Bureau.]*Here are some basic guidelines for protecting your family and property from floods.

Remember that some floods will take hours or even days to develop but flash floods can occur with little warning and reach full peak within minutes.

Check if you have adequate insurance coverage. Homeowners insurance does not cover flood losses. Ask your insurance agent to review your current policies to ensure that they will cover your home and belongings adequately. If you are a renter, your landlord's insurance does not protect your personal property; it protects only the building.Renters' insurance pays if a renter's property is damaged or stolen. Renters' flood insurance costs less than $15 a month in most areas of the country. Contact your insurance agent for more information.

*Here are some basic guidelines for protecting your family and property from floods.
















*To learn about hazards in your area contact local agencies such as your city or county emergency management agency, fire and police agency or the local American Red Cross chapter. They will have details about local dangers and response plans. Ask questions about planning information, literature and training that might be available.

Also, you might ask the Red Cross about first aid and CPR classes for you and other household members. You will learn basic safety measures and skills that can be indispensable in an emergency.

Also, consider looking on on the Internet about various disasters such as storms and wildfire from official sources such as FEMA or NOAA and emergency preparedness at the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

Remember, some hazards will vary by time of year and from year-to-year. What counts is what can happen where you live.

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