Disasters come in all sorts and sizes. There is no one size fits all when it comes to disasters. Everyone will be affected differently, yet will experience the same disaster. Preparedness is very much a personal endeavor because of this. It is important to know what can happen in your area and what protective actions you should take during different types of emergencies. Below is a list of various events that might be
experienced. Read through all the events and protective actions even if you think those kinds of things don’t happen locally, remember that you travel to different areas that might have different types of events. It is always better to know what to expect. Know which the types of disasters that may affect your family: (Don’t forget to think about the disasters you might encounter as you travel) Natural
Disasters Human Caused or Technological Disasters
Part 2- Know how to communicate with family and othersA communications plan with your neighbors and local leaders is also part of being informed. Local Warning Systems
Regional Warning Systems
Part 3- Know what protective actions to take before, during, and after an emergencyProtective ActionsA. Evacuation
If you go to a shelter, notify staff of any special needs you may have. They will try to accommodate you as much as possible, but be aware that they have limited supplies and are not equipped to deal with special needs right away. Be prepared to leave your home if: Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Hundreds of times each year transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes for unspecified amounts of time. Fires and floods cause evacuations even more frequently. B. Shelter-In-Place
Create a shelter-in-place kit: • Battery-operated AM/FM radio • Precut and labeled plastic for doors and windows of your shelter area • Duct tape and scissors • Towels or rags • Water bottles and granola bars or non-perishable, no-cook food (enough for everyone sheltering). There may be a reason to shelter in place that doesn’t involve a chemical or hazardous materials incident. Authorities may ask you
to stay in your house while they are dealing with high tense events or searching for someone. Always follow their direction for your safety. C. Stand-by This protective action is to stand-by for more information. At the onset of an emergency or disaster you and your family may not be involved in the initial evacuation or shelter-in-place orders. However, emergencies and disasters can escalate, at which time emergency officials may announce additional evacuation or shelter-in-place orders. To be alerted to the potential changes in conditions you should always monitor Tooele County’s warning systems. This is called standing by for more information. Keep your TV or radio on and tuned to an Emergency Alert System station. (KSL 1160 AM or 102.7 FM) It is wise to also monitor social media from reputable sources such as Emergency Management or Police, Fire, and Health Agencies. Coping with Disasters
Physical and emotional reactions often occur as a result of a natural emergency, such as a car wreck, disaster, or traumatic event, such as a terrorist attack. These reactions may happen immediately, or weeks to months after an event. Traumatic stress reactions can happen to people of any age and can change a person’s behavior, thoughts, and physical health. Common ResponsesThe physical effects caused by a traumatic event include:
Seek medical attention if any of these symptoms persist. Thoughts, behaviors and emotions may also change. These changes include:
What You Can Do for Your ChildDisasters can leave children feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Whether a child has personally experienced trauma, has merely seen the event on television, or has heard it discussed by adults, it is important for parents and teachers to be informed and ready to help if reactions to stress begin to
occur. ➤ Let your child know that it is okay to feel upset when something bad or scary happens Talk truthfully about the facts of the event according to the child’s age What You Can Do for YourselfThere are many things you can do to cope with traumatic events: Preparation helps; when people feel prepared, they cope better, and so do children.Children & DisastersChildren experience trauma and fear during a natural disaster. If they know what to do during a disaster, because they have practiced family disaster drills, they will be better able to handle the experience. When parents are calm, children calm down more quickly. After a disaster, children are most afraid the disaster will happen again, someone will be hurt or killed, and they will be separated from family and left alone. Parents can help minimize their children’s fears by: Elderly / Special Needs Populations & DisastersPeople with disabilities or special needs should take extra precautions when preparing for a disaster. One of the most important things you can do is have a buddy, someone who can help you evacuate and take care of you. During an emergency, your usual care giver may not be able to help you. Make sure your buddy
knows how to operate any medical equipment you use and knows what medication you may need. 1. Prescription medications with a record of when and how much of the medication they should receive Animals & DisastersYour animals need to be included in your family disaster plan since they depend on you for their wellbeing. Your disaster plan should include a list of emergency phone numbers for local agencies that can assist you if disaster strikes – including your veterinarian, state veterinarian, local animal shelter, animal care and control, county extension service, local agricultural schools, and the Health Department. These numbers should be kept with
your disaster supply kit in a secure, but easily accessible place. Livestock➤ Evacuate livestock whenever possible.
Prepare in advance by having transportation and an evacuation destination prearranged. Alternate routes should be mapped out in case the planned route is inaccessible WildlifeWild or stray domestic animals can pose a danger during many types of disasters. Do not corner an animal, they may feel threatened and may endanger themselves or you. If an animal must be removed, contact your local animal control authorities Cyber AttackInformation coming soon… Active ShooterInformation coming soon… Pandemic PreparednessInformation coming soon… What happens on Wednesday at 4pm in Tooele County?The Tooele County Emergency Management Department tests the sirens at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays to ensure that they would work during a large scale emergency.
Does Utah have sirens?The 16-year old has even mapped out every single emergency warning siren in Utah. He said there are about 220, spread across the state. Outside of Tristan's home, a few other sirens sit in the backyard, including his newest, biggest purchase. “It was my first chance to really get a siren that's like this,” he said.
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