Disaster Emergency Management
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Prepare your family to take care of yourself in the event of a disaster
Five steps to family disaster preparedness:
- Talk with your family about disasters that could happen in the Pacific Northwest, such as home fires, wildfire, severe winter weather, flooding, earthquakes, and hazardous materials accidents.
- Train all family members. Take first aid classes. Learn to use a fire extinguisher. Locate your utility shutoff valves and know when and how to turn off your gas, electricity and water. Make sure several people in your household have this knowledge or training. Pick two places to meet - right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire; outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood. Everyone must know the address and phone number of your meeting locations.
- Take stock of supplies you may already have on hand that would be helpful in a disaster. Put together a disaster supplies kit. Involve the whole family in collecting and assembling supplies of food, water, and emergency tools.
- Tell everyone in the household where emergency contact information will be kept. Post a copy on your refrigerator and keep another with your emergency supplies. Complete an emergency contact list as found on the American Red Cross website. Make sure you have included an out of state contact. You may be able to reach them when local phone lines are down.
- Test your readiness on a regular basis. Review your family disaster plan and go through supplies at least once a year. Commit to a day or weekend to update phone numbers, hold family fire and earthquake drills and check supplies.
Make sure to include the six basics in your family disaster kit:
- Water
- Food
- First Aid Supplies
- Clothing and Bedding
- Emergency Supplies
- Special Items
For more information about preparing a disaster kit and other ways to prepare, follow the links to the following websites. Please do not find yourself unprepared.
In addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.
Find Your Local American Red Cross
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA is challenged to provide increasingly accurate and reliable environmental and ecological information and services to meet the demands of society. These information services and stewardship responsibilities must recognize the connectivity that exists across various social and economic scales from local to global, and between the atmosphere, the oceans, and land.
National Disaster Medical System
It is the mission of the National Disaster Medical System to design, develop, and maintain a national capability to deliver quality medical care to the victims of - and responders to - a domestic disaster. NDMS provides state of the art medical care under any conditions at a disaster site, in transit from the impacted area, and into participating definitive care facilities.
The American Civil Defense Association(TACDA)
The mission of The American Civil Defense Association (TACDA) is to provide information, tools and resources that empower American Citizens with a comprehensive understanding of reasonable preparedness strategies and techniques; promoting a self-reliant, pro-active approach to protecting themselves, their families and their communities in the event of Nuclear, Biological, Chemical or other manmade and natural disasters.
United States Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Preparedness
Getting back to business after a disaster depends on preparedness planning done today. Small business owners invest a tremendous amount of time, money and resources to make their ventures successful, and yet, while the importance of emergency planning may seem self-evident, it may get put on the back-burner in the face of more immediate concerns. For small business owners, being prepared can mean staying in business following a disaster. An estimated 25 percent of businesses do not reopen following a major disaster, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety.
The National Response Center (NRC) is the sole federal point of contact for reporting oil and chemical spills.
The U.S. National Response Team Website provides technical assistance, resources and coordination on preparedness, planning, response and recovery activities for emergencies involving hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminants, hazmat, oil, and weapons of mass destruction in natural and technological disasters and other environmental incidents of national significance.
As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security, the mission of the USFA is to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination, and support. We serve the Nation independently, in coordination with other Federal agencies, and in partnership with fire protection and emergency service communities. With a commitment to excellence, we provide public education, training, technology and data initiatives.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
U.S. DOT serves the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
NHTSA provides leadership to the motor vehicle and highway safety community through the development of innovative approaches to reducing motor vehicle crashes and injuries.
The U.S. Government’s Official Web Portal
The Hurricane Safety Zone will guide you through the most intense hurricanes with its helpful guides and tips.