Board of Health: Good time to review emergency preparedness plans

By Canton Citizen

One cannot turn on the television lately without seeing and hearing of the sad aftermath of the natural and man-made string of disasters that have transpired recently in Japan. The ongoing events resulting from the 9.0 earthquake, followed by a devastating tsunami, and the ensuing meltdown of multiple nuclear facilities in Japan on March 11, 2011, took most people by surprise. In reflecting on this destructive sequence of events, any reasonable person would agree that now would be a very good time to review our individual emergency preparedness plans that we should already have made to prepare for a similarly unexpected, albeit unlikely scenario.

If we have learned nothing else from the Japanese experience – one of the most prepared countries in the world for earthquakes and tsunamis – it has become increasingly obvious that households will need to be prepared to face the aftermath of such disasters and emergencies unaided until such time as help can arrive from first responders, relief workers, and governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Given the size and scope of such large catastrophic events, it may be several days before relief aid can arrive for people who will need it. Accordingly, it may be necessary for citizens to care for themselves for a period of time until assistance comes.

Reasons for Family Preparedness

As we have seen, in large natural and made-made disasters, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and communications may be cut off for prolonged periods of time. To survive, individual households may need to rely on themselves in the immediate aftermath of such events for their own supply of water, food and emergency supplies for a period ranging anywhere from a few days to possibly several weeks. Other scenarios may require evacuation at a moment’s notice. As we have seen happen in Japan, we probably will not have the opportunity to shop or search for the supplies needed to survive. Assembling these supplies and forming emergency preparedness plans now may be the key to our comfort or even our survival.

Have a Disaster Supply Kit

Before a disaster occurs is the time when we should prepare our disaster plans and supply kits. At a minimum, emergency supply kits should include:

* Water – The average person needs at least one gallon of water per day for drinking and sanitation.

* Food – Emergency food supplies should include enough non-perishable, high calorie, high energy foods to feed a family for up to three days or more. Emergency food supplies should require no refrigeration, little or no preparation or cooking, and little or no water. Be sure to have a method of opening food containers with such items as a can opener.

* Medications – It is very important to keep an adequate supply of any medications that may be needed by family members. If you are stranded in your home or asked to go to a public shelter, you need to take your medicines with you.

* Dry Clothing – Clothing kept for emergency purposes should be rugged and, if possible, appropriate for all seasons and all weather conditions. Use reasonable judgment when packing footwear.

* Pet Supplies – It is very important to remember the needs of your pets when planning your family’s emergency needs. Have adequate pet food available.

* Children’s Needs – If planning for a family, it may be advisable to have on hand non-energy-using distractions (e.g. books, cards, board games) and small toys for any children.

* Contact Information – Be sure to have contact numbers and information on hand in the event the need arises.

Of course, this is only a very abbreviated list. Other items and considerations are required in a good emergency preparedness plan.

Most importantly, HAVE A PLAN!

In anticipation of the need to prepare for unforeseen emergencies, in 2007 the Canton Board of Health published and distributed to all households with mailing addresses in Canton a “Canton Citizens’ Handbook for Emergency Preparedness,” which laid out the basic necessities and planning suggestions that would be needed for each family to be prepared for multiple types of large-scale disasters. In addition and in conjunction with volunteers from the Canton unit of the Norfolk County-7 Medical Reserve Corps, the Board of Health has been planning, training and purchasing all-hazards emergency preparedness equipment through governmental and NGO grants in order to meet any challenges it may face during a large-scale disaster in Canton in order to help keep the residents of the town safe and prepared for the worst.

If anyone would like to read or download an online copy of the “Canton Citizens’ Handbook for Emergency Preparedness,” the web address is www.town.canton.ma.us/health/Guide-Emergency_Preparedness.pdf. The link is also available on the Board of Health’s web page at www.town.canton.ma.us/health/health.htm.

It is hoped that we will never, ever need to use the information in our emergency preparedness handbook, but having our emergency plans and supplies ready should the time come that we are faced with a large-scale disaster or emergency, we know that we will be prepared.

Submitted by John L. Ciccotelli, RS, CHO, director of public health, Canton Board of Health

Share This Post

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=3901