Emergency Preparedness

at HomeNew Mexico State University

Cooporative Extension

DISASTERS HAPPENAre you prepared?

Hatch Flood, August 2006

Hatch Flood

Floodwaters breached an arroyoHatch and other Dona Ana County floods

•Costs: $20 billion•Including county’s dams and stormwater facilities repair costs

USDA Designates Seven Counties in New Mexico as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

 

• Counties with primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by drought and high winds that occurred after October 1, 2008:– Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, Roosevelt, DeBaca, Lea, and Otero

• Farm operators in the these counties in New Mexico also qualify for natural disaster benefits due to their neighboring status:– Curry, Guadalupe, Sierra, Torrence, Dona Ana, Quay, and Socorro

August 14, 2009

Gila National Forest, July 3, 2006

The Bear Fire

•Two-week fire • Burned 51,307 acres of mixed conifer

Emergency Preparedness at Home

1. Find Out What Disasters Could Happen to You

2. Create a Disaster Plan3. Put Your Plan into Action4. Keeping Your Plan Current

1. Possible Disasters

• Research what types of disasters are most likely to happen in your area.

• Find out about your community’s warning signals– what they sound like – what you should do when you hear them.

• Learn which radio stations will provide emergency information for your area.

Possible Disasters

• Earthquake• Extreme Heat• Fire• Flood• Hazardous Materials• Household Hazardous Waste

Emergency• Terrorism

– Explosions, Biological Threats, Nuclear Blast, Chemical Threats, Radioactive Fallout, Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), Radiological Dispersion Device.

• Thunderstorms and Lightning

• Tornado• Wildfire• Winter Storms and

Extreme Cold• Pandemic Influenza• Other: Landslide and

Volcanoes

Types of disasters and preparations:

Explain basic plan to all?

2. Create a Disaster Plan• Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare

for disaster. Discuss – The types of disasters that could happen – Explain what to do in each case

• Make two evacuation plans 1. Specific to your home 2. If your entire neighborhood is affected

• Have an action plan for your pets• Contact an out of area relative or friend to be your “family

contact.” – Explain to them their responsibility

3. Put Your Plan into Action• Post emergency telephone numbers by all telephones• Teach children how and when to call 911 for help• Create your home emergency supply kit• Find safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.• Determine the best escape routes from your home – find two

ways out of each room• Ensure smoke detectors on each level of your home• Keep NFPA approved general purpose dry chemical type

household fire extinguisher• Check for adequate insurance coverage• Take photos or videotape your home and belongings• Take a first aid and CPR class

Emergency Supply Kit• Water: Drinking and sanitation.

– 1 gallon/person/day• Food

– Lasts for a long time– Manual can opener– Eating & drinking utensils.

• Medication – 1 year• Warmth – a sleeping bag or

warm blanket for each person.• Special Items

– Pack infant formula, bottles, diapers, baby food, pet food, feminine hygiene supplies, comfort items, books, paper, pens, and other forms of entertainment.

• Battery-powered radio• Flashlight • Batteries: for radio and flashlight• First Aid kit• Whistle• Dust mask• Moist towelettes. E.g. baby wipes• Basic tools: Wrench or pliers• Plastic sheeting and duct tape• Good walking shoes• Garbage bags• Plastic sheeting and duct tape

Important Family Documents

• Will, Insurance Policies,• Contracts, Deeds,

Stocks and Bonds• Bank Account Numbers• Inventory of Valuable

Goods• Important Telephone

Numbers

• Passports, Social Security Cards, Immunization Records

• Credit Card Account Numbers and Companies

• Family Records (birth, marriage, and death certificates)

Keep these records in a fireproof & waterproof container:

4. Keeping Your Plan Current• Practice, practice, practice – review your plan

once a month.• Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.• Test and recharge your fire extinguishers

according to manufacturer’s instructions.• Test your smoke detectors monthly – change the

batteries every six months, when the time changes.• Replace emergency supply kit stored water and

food every six months.