Dear fellow Hanoverians:
\nThe following is Part Two of our Hurricane Preparedness Series from
\nChief Jeffrey Blanchard of the HFD. In this e-mail, the chief passes
\nalong some information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management
\nAgency. Thanks, again, Jeff!<\/p>\n
For many of the citizens in Massachusetts who have physical, medical,
\nsensory or cognitive disabilities, as well as the elderly and others
\nrequiring additional assistance, emergencies such as hurricanes
\npresent real challenges. Therefore, the Massachusetts Emergency
\nManagement Agency (MEMA) offers a number of important steps to help
\nensure the safety of yourself and all of our friends, neighbors, and
\nfamily members.
\n\u201cMEMA has listed a number of tips, covering a variety of issues
\nwhich those individuals who require additional assistance should
\nconsider, as they prepare for the hurricane season,\u201d stated MEMA
\nDirector Kurt Schwartz. \u201cThis planning is important, not just in
\npreparation for hurricanes, but year-round, for any type of
\nemergency.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Create a \u2018Personal Support Network\u2019 or \u2018Self-Help Team\u2019.
\nThey can help you identify and acquire resources; as well as assist
\nyou before, during and after the hurricane has passed. Your Team
\nshould include roommates, relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers
\nbecause disasters might strike at any time, when you are at home,
\nschool, the workplace, a volunteer site, or wherever you spend a lot
\nof time. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Complete a Personal Assessment of what you can do for yourself and
\nwhat assistance you may need to respond to the challenges of a
\nhurricane, based on the environment during and after the storm, your
\ncapabilities, and your limitations.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Become informed. From your local Emergency Management Director,
\nlearn your area\u2019s vulnerabilities in a hurricane, as well as your
\ncommunity\u2019s Emergency Management Plans, including potential
\nevacuation routes and shelter locations. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Find out about your community\u2019s Alerting\/Warning Systems. Learn
\nwhat methods are utilized in your community. They could include:
\noutdoor sirens or horns, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) which
\nprovides information over the radio and television, the NOAA Weather
\nAlert Radio, one of a number of automated telephoning system for
\nsending recorded messages such as \u2018All Call\u2019, \u2018Reverse 911\u2019 or
\n\u2018Code Red\u2019, commercial News Media, Residential Route Alerting,
\nwhich dispatches Public Safety vehicles through neighborhoods
\nannouncing messages with public address systems or literally
\n\u2018knocking on doors\u2019, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Broadcast, and
\nTeletypewriters (TTY). <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Contact your local Emergency Management Director to learn of
\npotential \u2018Special Needs\u2019 Notification, Transportation and\/or
\nAssistance Programs in your community. Your specific information will
\nbe treated with confidentiality. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Develop the standard Disaster Supply Kit for your home, with
\nsupplies to accommodate you for up to 3-5 days. Also, from that you
\ncan pull key items for a \u2018Portable Kit\u2019 if asked to evacuate.
\nDepending upon your needs, you may want to include extra eyeglasses,
\nhearing aid batteries, wheel chair batteries, oxygen, the style and
\nserial number of your medical devices, a list of your medications
\nincluding dosage, a list of your allergies, medical insurance
\ninformation and medical cards, and if you utilize a wheelchair include
\nheavy gloves to help make your way over glass and debris. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Make an Emergency Plan. As part of your overall planning, include a
\nFamily Communication Plan to best inform others of your condition and
\nwhereabouts. If you receive regular services, make a plan with each
\nprovider about their disaster plans and how to contact them. Work with
\nthem to identify back-up services. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to help identify your
\ndisability. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Teach others on your Team to operate any special equipment you
\nmight utilize, as well as where you keep your emergency supplies.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Label with your contact information any special equipment including
\nwheel chairs, walkers or canes. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 If asked to evacuate, inform your Team where you are staying,
\nbecause it may not always be the first choice in your Plan. (a public
\nshelter, relative, friend, hotel) <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Find the location of the main utility cutoff valves and switches in
\nyour home, and how and when to safely disconnect them during an
\nemergency, either by yourself or a Team member. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Prepare an Emergency Kit for your service animal and pets; include
\ncollars & leashes, a three-day supply of food, a manual can opener,
\nplenty of water, bowls, litter boxes, photographs, and a week\u2019s
\nsupply of your pets\u2019 medications and instructions in case you and
\nyour animals are separated. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Service animals may become frightened or confused during or after a
\nhurricane. Be prepared to calm your animal and keep it confined or on
\na leash or harness. Make sure your service animal is familiar with
\nyour Team members, who may be asked to help care for them following
\nthe storm. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Keep pictures of you with your pets or service animals for
\nidentification purposes, in case you are separated. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 In case your service animal is unable to assist you, be prepared to
\nuse alternative ways to negotiate your environment. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 Most people should be able to function well at a regular public
\nshelter, although people with more serious needs might be directed to
\nan \u2018additional assistance\u2019 shelter where medical issues can
\nreceive appropriate attention. <\/p>\n
\u00b7 When needed, be sure to ask for an accommodation from disaster
\npersonnel.<\/p>\n
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state
\nagency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary
\nand private resources during emergencies and disasters in the
\nCommonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop
\nplans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats;
\ntrain emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information
\nto the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and
\ncommunities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and
\nrecover from emergencies, both natural and manmade. For additional
\ninformation about MEMA and Hurricane Preparedness, go to
\nhttp:\/\/www.mass.gov\/mema
\n. Also, follow MEMA on \/Facebook\/ and \/Twitter.\/<\/p>\n
For “Around Town on the Web”,
\nCathy H-B<\/p>\n
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\nof 2004.
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Dear fellow Hanoverians: The following is Part Two of our Hurricane Preparedness Series from Chief Jeffrey Blanchard of the HFD. In this e-mail, the chief passes along some information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Thanks, again, Jeff! For many … Continue reading