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Resources

Emergency Water Guidelines

First-Aid Supplies Checklist

72-Hour Kit Checklist

Evacuation Checklist

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Home Fire Prevention - US Fire Administration (USFA)

US Geological Survey (USGS) - Earthquake Information

US Geological Survey (USGS) - Volcano Information

USDA Food Safety Tips for Emergencies

Home Safe Room - FEMA Publication 320

Protection Against Terrorism - FEMA Publication 453

The Independent Patriot

Emergency Preparedness

 

Emergency preparedness is not a collection of supplies, but a mind set that encourages you to anticipate challenges and avoid potentially negative affects through advanced planning. Developing a pool of knowledge and honing your emergency response skills will make you better able to protect your family when the need arises. Following checklists and purchasing supplies can be a great help in an emergency, but knowing why something is on the list, and how to get the most out of it, can be even more important.

Emergency planning cannot wait. It is something that should have been started yesterday. Today may be too late, and putting it off until tomorrow may cost you your freedom. Waiting until a disaster strikes to make preparations is the surest way to lose control of your life and become dependent on others.

This portion of the web site is dedicated to helping you survive short-term emergencies – anywhere from 72-hours to two weeks. It covers the following topics:

Situation Assessment
Immediate Response
Safe Rooms
Evacuation
Vital Supplies
Emergency Air Filtration/Purification
Emergency Water Supply
Emergency Food Supply
Sanitation
Emergency Shelter
Emergency Lighting
Emergency Communications
Emergency Tools and Equipment
Pets/Animals

Situation Assessment

Know Your Location
Know Your Limitations
Know Your Legal Rights/Obligations
Know Your Resources
Know the Nature of the Emergency/Disaster

Before you make any decisions you must first assess your situation. Part of the assessment should take place before disaster strikes. You should know your location. What is the lay of the land? Are there any man-made hazards in the area? What are your transportation/escape options? You should know your limitations and the limitations of the people with you. You should know your legal rights and obligations during an emergency, and you should know what resources you have at your disposal. Finally, you should know the nature of the emergency or disaster you face.

When disaster strikes you will need to make some quick assessments. In some cases (fire in the house, earthquake/volcanic eruption, nuclear/biological/chemical attack) you will need to respond after the situation has already occurred. In some cases (tornado, tsunami) you will have little or no warning prior to the disaster. In other cases (wildfire, blizzard, ice storm, hurricane, flood) you will have some advanced warning with time to make reasoned decisions.

Know Your Location

Lay of the LandTake note of the geographical features in your area:

Man-Made Hazards - Be aware of potential hazards in your area:

Transportation - Know your options for escape in an emergency:

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Know Your Limitations

Not everyone is able to withstand the physical and emotional demands placed on them in an emergency or disaster.  You need to know not only how much you can handle, but how much the people in your care can handle. If anyone in your home (or your neighbors’ homes) is dependent on you for care, you must consider their limitations first and foremost.

If someone in your care is disabled, injured, or infirm, or if you have infants or children at home, your decisions and actions will need to reflect a concern for their welfare. They will rely on you to keep them safe. They may be overcome with physical or emotional distress. They may not be able to move themselves to a safe location. They may not be able to gather or carry emergency supplies. You must make provisions for these possibilities.

You must also be able to gauge your own abilities to act during an emergency. Are you physically fit enough to handle the tasks that need to be performed? If not, is there someone in the group who is? Can you handle the stress related to the emergency? Are you too fatigued to be of use? Be honest in the assessment of your own limitations and work to the fullest within them.

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Know Your Legal Rights/Obligations

Individual Rights
Second Amendment
Mandatory Evacuations
Mobility Restrictions
Obligation to Perform Emergency Duties

Individual Rights

Your individual civil rights are protected under the Constitution of the United States of America. As long as civil authorities remain intact, the constitution cannot legally be suspended, even in cases of civil unrest or disaster. According to the Supreme Court (Ex Parte Milligan, 1866), “The Constitution of the United States is a law for rulers and people, equally in war and peace, and covers with the shield of its protection all classes of men, at all times, and under all circumstances.” The Court further stated that “Martial  law…destroys every guarantee of the Constitution, and effectively renders the ‘military independent of and superior to the civil power.’” Having laid that foundation the Supreme Court reached the following decision:

“If, in foreign invasion or civil war, the courts are actually closed, and it is impossible to administer criminal justice according to law, then, on the theater of actual military operations, where war really prevails, there is a necessity to furnish a substitute for the civil authority, thus overthrown, to preserve the safety of the army and society; and as no power is left but the military, it is allowed to govern by martial rule, until the laws can have their free course. As necessity creates the rule, so it limits its duration; for, if this government is continued after the courts are reinstated, it is a gross usurpation of power. Martial rule can never exist where the courts are open, and in the proper and unobstructed exercise of their jurisdiction.”

This Supreme Court decision cannot guarantee that government officials will always act in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, but it does let us know that any attempt to institute martial law, while civil government remains intact, is not authorized by law.

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Second Amendment

We have a right to keep and bear arms for self defense, for hunting, for sport, and to defend our liberty. That right is God-given and existed before our Constitution was written. Our Constitution does not grant us the right to keep and bear arms, it guarantees that the government will not infringe upon a right that we already possess.

Throughout the years, the Supreme Court has defended the personal right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. In District of Columbia, et al v. Heller (2008), the Supreme Court held that “the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self- defense within the home.”

The right to keep and bear arms for personal and family defense cannot lawfully be suspended during an emergency or disaster. Unfortunately, not all politicians, police chiefs, and sheriffs understand this. Following Hurricane Katrina, orders were given to confiscate all firearms from private citizens in the disaster area under the mistaken premise that confiscating the guns of law-abiding citizens would decrease unlawful activity. Not only were they wrong, they were violating the Second Amendment. (Click Here to see video.)

In response to the unlawful confiscation of firearms during Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. Congress passed the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006. The Act prohibited the confiscation of firearms from law-abiding citizens by federal officers or bay any agency receiving federal funding. In the Act, Congress found that the “confiscations and prohibitions, and the means by which they were carried out, deprived the citizens of Louisiana not only of their right to keep and bear arms, but also of their rights to personal security, personal liberty, and private property, all in violation of the Constitution and laws of the United States.”

Of course, the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited. The Supreme Court has upheld restrictions on concealed carry, and has allowed certain classes of individuals (felons, mentally incompetent persons) to be barred from owning weapons. Gun laws vary from state to state, and you should be familiar with the laws in your state.

Whatever the laws may be in your state, your right to keep and bear arms cannot be suspended because of a disaster or the declaration of a state of emergency.

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Mandatory Evacuations

Voluntary evacuation notices are issued when state and local agencies believe that there is a potential threat to individuals who reside in the affected or neighboring areas. They are issued with the intention of encouraging people to get out of harm’s way before they are in imminent danger.

Mandatory evacuation notices are issued when state and local agencies believe that there is an immediate threat to the lives of those within the affected area. They are issued with the intention of reducing the loss of life and limiting the number of rescues that will need to be attempted (which can place emergency personnel at risk and strain limited resources).

However, not all mandatory evacuations are equal. The laws regarding mandatory evacuations vary from state to state and even from county to county. In some cases (i.e., Texas), it is unlawful to resist a mandatory evacuation order. Failure to comply can result in a fine and land you in jail for up to 180 days. In other states and localities, law enforcement officers can direct you to evacuate, but do not have the legal authority to force you to leave your home.

You should contact your local police or sheriff’s department (prior to an emergency) to find out what regulations apply to your area.

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Mobility Restrictions

Law enforcement officers do have the authority to restrict your movements during an emergency. They can close roads, seal off certain geographical areas, and impose curfews. Attempts to circumvent lawful restrictions on your mobility can result in arrest with criminal charges being filed against you.

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Obligation to Perform Emergency Duties

During a disaster or emergency, all emergency personnel can be called to active duty. The National Guard, fire fighters, paramedics, law enforcement officers, and all other publicly employed emergency personnel are legally obligated to report for duty when called.

Government employees (local, state, federal) who are designated by their agencies as essential personnel during an emergency or disaster are legally obligated to report for duty when called. Public school employees, in most states, are considered disaster service workers and are legally obligated to remain at work to care for the students in their custody. Essential personnel who work for private companies that provide essential services (such as power generation), or that contract with governmental agencies to provide services during emergencies will be required, under the terms of their employment contracts, to report for work. In most cases, doctors, nurses, and other essential health care personnel will be required to report for work.

You should check with your employer ahead of time to see if you will be required to report for work during an emergency or disaster. If so, you will need to make sure that your family is aware of your obligation, and that they are prepared to weather the emergency or disaster without you.

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Know Your Resources

Wherever you are when disaster strikes, you must be aware of the resources available to you. Check to see if you have sufficient:

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Know the Nature of the Emergency/Disaster

Structure Fires
Earthquakes
Volcanic Eruptions
Terrorist Attacks
Nuclear/Biological/Chemical (NBC) Attacks/Accidents
Tornadoes
Tsunamis
Wildfires
Blizzards
Ice Storms
Hurricanes
Floods

Disasters can be classified in many different ways. For the purpose of emergency response, they will be classified into three categories: Immediate danger with no warning; immediate danger very little warning; impending danger with some advanced warning.

Disasters With Immediate Danger With No Warning

Structure Fires – Structure fires can spread rapidly, giving occupants little or no time to respond. Both the fire and the smoke can be deadly. Depending on the design and age of the structure, the construction materials used, the fire suppression methods in use in the building, your location in the building, and the time that has elapsed since the fire started, the amount of time you have to respond could range anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

Fires require both fuel and oxygen to burn. Fuel can be supplied by the structure itself, the building’s contents, flammable liquids, and natural or propane gas lines. Oxygen is supplied through open doors and windows, hollow spaces in the walls, elevator shafts, stairwells, air vents, and breaches in the walls or roof of the building. The more oxygen the fire has, the faster it spreads.

In rooms starved of oxygen, fires can continue to smolder. If oxygen is suddenly re-introduced to the room (for instance, by the opening of a door or window), the fire can re-ignite in an explosive manner. You should always feel a door with the back of your hand before you open it. If the door is hot. Do not open it.

Fire walls, fire doors, fire blocks in the walls and other structural elements can slow the progress of a fire. Solid core doors can withstand flames for a fairly long period of time, but even a closed hollow core door will slow the spread of a fire. In many newer high-rise and commercial buildings and hotels, fire doors will automatically close when a fire is detected. If you escape through a fire door, make sure the door is closed behind you, to slow the spread of the fire.

Heat and smoke rise and will fill the room from the ceiling downward. Smoke from modern fires can be very toxic, due to the synthetic fabrics and plastics in the furnishings, appliances, and equipment. The safest and coolest air to breathe will be near the floor.

Earthquakes - Earthquakes strike without warning. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes and are usually followed by aftershocks that can be as great as, or greater than, the initial earthquake. If you are near the epicenter of a major earthquake, you may experience violent shaking and the possible destruction of buildings and other structures such as roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, power lines, gas lines, water lines, and other infrastructure components. Earthquakes can trigger landslides, avalanches, and tsunamis.

Earthquakes occur along fault lines where tectonic plates meet. When an earthquake occurs the shock waves move outward from the epicenter, decreasing in strength with distance. Earthquakes cause different motions, depending on whether the slippage is vertical or horizontal. Horizontal slippage (one plate past another) will cause a lateral shaking. Vertical slippage will cause both lateral and vertical shaking and may cause a rolling sensation. Areas of dense rock will suffer less damage than areas in a large basin or alluvial fan. The soil in a basin or alluvial fan can lose its integrity and liquefy during a major earthquake.

Older buildings and unreinforced stone or brick buildings may collapse during a strong earthquake. Newer buildings may hold together better (depending on the magnitude), but could be damaged to the point where they cannot be occupied. In major earthquakes, glass will shatter and large furniture, equipment, and appliances will be thrown to the ground. In urban areas, falling glass from high-rise buildings can be deadly. Even if a building remains standing, it may have damaged electrical wiring or gas lines that can cause a fire after the earthquake has subsided.

For more information on earthquakes, visit the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards web site.

Volcanic Eruptions - Volcanic eruptions are usually accompanied by a violent shaking of the ground, but present their own unique hazards in addition to the hazards associated with earthquakes. The six main hazards associated with volcanic eruptions are:

Terrorist Attacks - Terrorist attacks will most likely occur when you are in a public place, away from your home. They can range from small encounters (mall shootings, car bombs) to medium-sized attacks (plane bombings, poisonous gas attacks in subways), to large scale attacks (suit case nukes, biological agents). Unlike natural disasters, these attacks are intended to do harm to people and will be engineered to cause the greatest possible damage to humans. Once the initial attack has ended, you will need to be aware of potential follow-up attacks.

Nuclear/Biological/Chemical (NBC) Attacks/Accidents – NBC attacks or accidents may or may not give you time to react, depending on the magnitude of the event and your proximity to it.

Nuclear explosions can range in size from large, military grade weapons to small, suit case bombs. If detonated at ground level, the fireball will be more intense, but not as large (up to 0.9 mile radius for 1 MT bomb). Air burst detonations will have a slightly broader fireball radius (up to 1.2 mile radius for 1 MT bomb), but with less intensity at ground level. Suit case bombs will have a fireball less than 0.2 miles in diameter.

The thermal radiation and pressure blast will destroy or seriously damage people and buildings up to three times the distance of the fireball. Beyond that, fires may be started by secondary actions related to the blast and damaged infrastructure. Neutron and Gamma radiation would be released in extremely large amounts upon detonation and would reach outward up to one mile from ground zero (for larger explosions). Gamma radiation fallout would be spread in significant amounts up to 100 miles downwind of ground zero. The most intense fallout radiation would occur within the first 24 hours, diminishing to safe levels within a week, ten miles downwind.

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Disasters With Immediate Danger With Very Little Warning

Tornadoes - Tornadoes can form quickly, but generally provide some warning before striking. They are usually connected with thunderstorms, and are caused by dry warm air mixing with the cool moist air in the thunderstorm. Winds associated with tornadoes can reach up to 250 miles per hour and the path of destruction can be up to one mile wide and 50 miles long. The majority of tornadoes have winds less than 100 miles per hour and last less than ten minutes. Most of the damage from tornadoes is the result of a combination of high winds and flying debris.

Tornadoes occur most frequently east of the Rocky Mountains, on the Great Plains, but they can occur almost anywhere. Telltale signs can be a greenish sky, wall clouds, or large hail. Once a funnel has formed, they can make a sound like a freight train. Tornadoes are not limited to flat open areas. They can form in valleys and mountains, as well.

The National Weather Service closely monitors the conditions that can lead to tornadoes. They issue watches and warnings, depending on the severity of the conditions. Their weather alerts can be picked up by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radios. Midland WR300 Weather Radio.

For more information on Tornadoes, visit the National Severe Storms Laboratory's Tornado Page.

Tsunamis - Tsunamis are a series of waves generated by undersea landslides that can be triggered by volcanoes or earthquakes. Depending on the magnitude and type of the earthquake or volcanic action and the amount of vertical movement generated by the landslide, the waves can vary from a few inches high to several yards. Major earthquakes can generate waves that reach 30 feet above sea level.

Not all earthquakes generate tsunamis, but all tsunamis are associated with undersea land shifts. A strong earthquake near the coastline can be the first warning sign. If a tsunami is generated, you may have as little as ten minutes to respond, or up to several hours, depending on your proximity. At the shoreline as a tsunami approaches, you may notice the water receding, revealing the ocean floor. This will be followed by a rush of water that will push past the shoreline to the inundation line, which could be several hundred feet to several miles inland, depending on the elevation of the terrain.

The National Weather Service has two tsunami warning centers that monitor oceanic floor movement and wave generation, with tsunami sensors located throughout the Pacific Ocean. If a serious threat exists, they will issue a watch or a warning. Their tsunami alerts can be picked up by NOAA Weather Radios.

For more information on tsunamis, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's tsunami web page.

Also check out this tsunami page (scroll down to the "Surviving a Tsunami" link for some good preparedness tips).

Disasters With Impending Danger With Some Advanced Warning

Wildfires - Wildfires need fuel, dry conditions, and an ignition source to propagate. Fuel can be supplied by dry grass, brush, or trees. Drought can contribute to adverse conditions, leaving the fuel more susceptible to ignition. Low humidity and wind can create the driving force behind a wildfire. When these dangerous conditions converge, any source of ignition can start the fire. Unfortunately, 4 out of 5 wildfires can be contributed to human causes (campfires, cigarettes, sparks from machinery).

Once wildfires are started, they can create their own weather with swirling winds that move the fire into new areas and across natural and manmade barriers. Wildfires typically spread outward and downwind from the point of origin. Shifting winds can cause wildfires to turn into areas of new fuel. Wildfires move more swiftly uphill and in canyons, where the winds created by the fire propel the flames upward. Severe wildfires cannot be outrun. Depending on your proximity to the fire and the warning system in place in your area, you may or may not have a lot of time to respond.

Blizzards
- Blizzards are extreme snowstorms characterized by low temperatures, heavy snowfall, and sustained winds of 35 miles per hour or greater for periods lasting more than three hours. Blizzards can create near white-out conditions, making it nearly impossible to drive. Strong winds can topple trees and power lines. Blizzards can last several days, and the affects of the storms can linger for weeks. Power outages associated with blizzards can leave people without heat and light. Sometimes, blizzards are severe enough to block doors and windows, leaving people snowed in for days. With modern forecasting, potential blizzards can be identified early, giving at least 24 hours of advanced notice.

Ice Storms - Ice storms are caused by super-cooled rain falling on objects that are colder than 32 degrees fahrenheit. Depending on the severity of the storm, the heavy ice can break limbs off trees and down power lines. The conditions leading to ice storms are generally known in advance.

Hurricanes - Hurricanes are large, spiraling tropical storms with sustained winds greater than 74 miles per hour and up to 190 miles per hour. They are classified in 5 categories, depending on the speed of the wind they generate. At the center of each hurricane, there is an area of extremely low pressure, known as the eye, where there are no clouds and no wind. The strongest winds are located in the area closest to the eye. Hurricanes draw their moisture from warm ocean water, and dissipate when they make landfall or head over cooler water.

Hurricanes bring with them large amounts of rainfall, strong winds, and a storm surge that can reach 20 feet above average and be spread out over 100 miles of coastline. Most hurricane damage is caused by the storm surge, but flooding and string winds can cause considerable damage as well.

With modern technology, hurricanes can be identified early and tracked accurately. It is difficult to predict the exact path they will follow, due to the many variables at play, but landfall predictions can be made within 24 hours of the event. Hurricane watches are issued to communities that may be at risk, and hurricane warnings are issued to communities where landfall is eminent.

Floods - Floods can be caused in many different ways, and each type has its own set of unique hazards. Some floods are the result of sustained rains, leading to the gradual swelling of streams and rivers. Flash floods can occur with very little warning and are usually the result of extremely heavy rains upstream that send a wall of water and debris into areas not necessarily affected by the rains. Overland flooding can be the result of breached levees and can extend over large areas of fairly flat terrain. Dam breaches can cause floods similar to flash floods and can devastate the area downstream of the dam.

With the exception of flash floods and dam/levee breaches, most floods provide advance warning. Sustained rains or short periods of heavy rain are an indication that floods may follow. Even with flash floods and dam breaches, heavy rainfall can indicate the need to be on the watch. Overtopping is the number one cause of dam failure. The National Weather Service issues flood watches if flooding is possible and flood warnings if flooding is eminent.

FEMA has prepared flood maps that show areas of regular flooding, as well as the 100-year and 500-year flood levels. Most counties and cities have copies of these maps on file. Some municipalities have made their FEMA maps available online. Flood maps can also be purchased directly from FEMA - Click Here. State and county emergency management agencies can provide information on dams and their flood zones.

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Immediate Response

Structure Fires
Earthquakes
Volcanic Eruptions
Terrorist Attacks
Nuclear/Biological/Chemical (NBC) Attacks/Accidents
Tornadoes
Tsunamis
Wildfires
Blizzards
Ice Storms
Hurricanes
Floods

Structure Fires

- Exit the building as soon as possible, using a route that avoids smoke and fire
- Do not waste time gathering valuables
- Do not use elevators
- Cover your mouth and nose with a damp rag
- Stay low to the ground to avoid smoke inhalation
- Before opening a closed door, feel the door with the back of your hand
- If the door is hot, find another exit
- If you must escape through a window, do not break the glass
- If you are escaping from a second or third story window, use a fire ladder
- If you are trapped, stuff rags under the door and signal from your window
- Use your phone to direct emergency personnel to your location
- Allow fire doors to close behind you
- Once you exit the building, call 9-1-1
- Go to your pre-arranged meeting location and take attendance
- Do not re-enter a burning building

Earthquakes

If you are indoors:
- Do not exit the building until the shaking stops
- Take cover under heavy tables or next to low dressers or cabinets
- Protect you head from falling objects
- Avoid windows, book cases, china cabinets, tall furniture

If the earthquake has caused structural damage:
- Exit the building as soon as the shaking has stopped
- If you are barefoot, put on shoes to avoid broken glass and sharp debris
- Do not use the elevators
- Once outside, move away from damaged buildings
- Avoid downed power lines
- If the quake has ruptured gas lines, turn off the gas at the meter, if safe
- Do not re-enter the building until it has been declared safe

If you are trapped by debris:
- Use a flashlight or whistle to signal rescuers
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth or mask
- If you cannot be seen, tap on pipes or walls
- If there is dust in the air, avoid shouting, if possible, to keep your lungs clean

If you are outside:
- Stay outside
- Move away from buildings and power lines
- If you are near tall buildings, take cover from falling glass and debris
- Do not enter damage buildings

Volcanic Eruptions

If you see an eruption or hear an official warning:
- Evacuate the area as soon as possible
- Stay on higher ground, if possible
- Watch for mud flows in low-lying areas
- Do not cross bridges or dams if mud flows are eminent

If you are not in an evacuation zone, but experience heavy ash fall:
- Stay indoors, unless there is a danger of roof collapse
- Remove contact lenses
- Close all windows, doors, vents, chimneys, etc.
- Do not run the air conditioner or furnace
- Remove accumulated ash from flat or low-pitched roofs, if necessary
- If you go outside, use goggles and a dust mask, and wear a long-sleeve shirt
- Avoid driving in heavy ash fall, as it will damage you vehicle
- If you must drive, drive slowly to avoid kicking up ash

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Terrorist Attacks (exposives, small arms, vehicles)

During an explosion or small arms attack:
- Take cover behind or under solid objects
- Retreat from the area as soon as it is safe to do so

If your building is damaged or on fire:
- Exit away from the damaged area immediately
- Watch for falling glass and debris
- Do not use elevators
- Avoid streets needed for emergency vehicles

If you are trapped by debris:
- Use a flashlight or whistle to signal rescuers
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth or mask
- If you cannot be seen, tap on pipes or walls
- If there is dust in the air, avoid shouting, if possible, to keep your lungs clean

If your building is intact and you cannot retreat:
- Move to a secure room
- Lock and barricade the doors in your safe room and turn out the lights
- Call 9-1-1 and let authorities know your position and who is with you
- Do not open the door unless you are sure it is safe
- If your position is breached and the assailant is shooting, rush the assailant

Nucelar/Biological/Chemical (NBC) Attacks/Accidents

If an NBC agent is released inside your building:
- Put on personal protective gear
- Exit the building immediately
- Once outside, move at a right angle away from the downwind area
- Take direction from emergency personnel
- Leave the area as soon as possible

If an NBC agent is released outside of your building:
- Take shelter immediately, wherever you are
- If you are away from home, do not attempt to return home
- If family members are away from home, they should shelter where they are
- If you survived a blast, but your building did not, find shelter immediately
- If you are outside of the blast zone, shelter in place immediately
- Close and seal all windows and doors
- Close and seal all vents and flues
- Move to a basement, if possible, and seal the entrance
- If you do not have a basement, move to an interior room and seal the door
- Start NBC-rated HEPA filter ventilation to provide an adequate air supply*
- Take food, water, and sanitation supplies with you to last up to 21 days
- Do not go outside until authorities tell you it is safe

* CAUTION - If you do not have an NBC-rated HEPA filter ventilation system, and you have sealed all doors, windows, and vents, you may be at risk of oxygen deprivation or carbon dioxide poisoning, leading to suffocation and death. Your ability to breath safely in a sealed environment will be limited by the volume of air in the room and the number of people occupying the space.

(For example, 2 people in a sealed 10'x10'x8' room would succumb to carbon dioxide poisoning in less than 14 hours. 4 people in the same space would succumb to carbon dioxide poisoning in less than 7 hours.)

If you do not have an NBC-rated HEPA filter ventilation system, and you do not seal the doors, windows, and vents, contaminants will enter your space as the room "breathes". The amount of infiltration will depend on the the type and concentration of the contaminant, the effectiveness of your "breathable" barriers, local weather conditions, and the amount of time that has transpired since the disbursement of the contaminant.

It is YOUR responsibility to erect sufficient barriers to keep out the contaminants, while maintaining an atmosphere that provides sufficient oxygen and does not allow for the buildup of dangerous levels of carbon dioxide.

If you have been exposed to fallout:
- Change your clothes and shoes
- Seal contaminated clothing in a plastic bag and set it as far away as possible
- Take a shower and wash thoroughly

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Tornadoes

If you are indoors in a permanent structure:
- Go to a basement, storm cellar, or safe room
- If there is no basement, move to the lowest floor in the center of the building
- Avoid rooms at the corners or with windows
- Move to a closet or interior hallway, keeping away from outside walls
- Do not open windows

If you are in a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home:
- Exit immediately and find a sturdy structure or storm cellar to take cover in

If you are outside or in a vehicle with no nearby shelter:
- Do not attempt to outrun the tornado
- Exit your vehicle and lie flat in a ditch or depression
- Watch for potential flooding
- Do not take shelter in an underpass - you are safer in a ditch
- Protect your head from flying debris

Tsunamis

If you receive a tsunami warning or see water rapidly receding at the shoreline:
- Do not go near the shore to watch the wave
- Move inland to high ground immediately
- Do not leave high ground until the danger has passed
- Be aware that there may be more than one wave in the tsunami

If you are located in a sturdy multi-story building when the tsunami hits:
- Move to the top floor immediately
- Do not leave high ground until the danger has passed

Wildfires

If a wildfire has reached your home without warning:
- Evacuate everyone immediately
- Take pets only if they are readily accessible
(If you die, you can't help them anyway)
- Do not stop to collect valuables
- Do not take a road that will put you in the path of the fire

If your escape route is cut off:
- Do not attempt to drive through the fire
- Move your car as far as possible from the fire's leading edge
- Park in a large expanse of grass, dirt, or pavement, if possible
- Keep the windows rolled up
- Do not park near buildings, trees, or power lines
- Cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth
- If a pool or pond is accessible, leave the vehicle and get in the water

If a wildfire is in the area, but you are not in immediate danger:
- Gather information on the location, direction, strength, and speed of the fire
- Assess the overall situation (see previous section)
- Close all doors, windows, and vents
- Prepare for evacuation (see Evacuation Checklist)
- Pull the manual release cord on the automatic garage door opener
- Keep the car in the garage, facing out, with the door closed
- Keep keys in the ignition
- Contact relatives immediately and explain your plans
- Stay off the phones until you evacuate
- When you leave, contact a relative and let them know where you are going
- Know when to evacuate - it's your call to make

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Blizzards

- Seek shelter immediately, and stay where you are
- Do not drive
- Wear multiple layers of clothing
- Remove layers if you overheat to avoid sweating
- Drink plenty of water and eat food to give your body energy to keep warm
- If burning wood or other fuel, be safe and ensure proper ventilation
- Prepare for power outage

If you do not have a source of heat in your shelter:
- Move to an interior room
- Close all doors to other rooms
- Insulate the room from the cold as much as possible

If you are caught in your vehicle, away from home:
- Pull to the side of the road, but stay on the pavement
- Tie a red (or bright colored) cloth to your antenna
- Stay in your vehicle
- Run your engine 10 minutes every hour to heat the vehicle
- Crack your window and keep the tailpipe clear to avoid carbon monoxide
- Turn on the dome light while the engine is running to attract attention
- Once the snow stops, raise your hood

If you are caught outside and cannot reach your vehicle or other shelter:
- Protect yourself from the wind
- Construct a lean-to or snow cave to provide insulation
- If possible, build a fire (place stones near the fire to absorb the heat)
- Do not eat snow for hydration

Ice Storms

- Seek shelter immediately, and stay where you are
- Do not drive
- If you are on the road, get to shelter before black ice forms
- Wear multiple layers of clothing
- Remove layers if you overheat to avoid sweating
- Drink plenty of water and eat food to give your body energy to keep warm
- If burning wood or other fuel, be safe and ensure proper ventilation
- Prepare for power outage

If you do not have a source of heat in your shelter:
- Move to an interior room
- Close all doors to other rooms
- Insulate the room from the cold as much as possible

Hurricanes

- Cover windows with storm shutters or pre-cut plywood
- Bring patio furniture, trash cans, and other loose items indoors
- Set your refrigerator on the lowest setting and keep the doors closed
- Fill empty containers, bathtubs, and sinks with water
- Prepare for evacuation (see Evacuation Checklist)
- If you evacuate, turn off natural gas and propane

Evacuation during a hurricane can be difficult. If you wait too long to make the call, you will get caught in heavy traffic and may have to deal with flooded roads. If you plan to evacuate, do not wait until the authorities give the order. Try to leave before everyone else does.

Floods

If a flash flood, or dam breach is imminent:
- Do not waste time preparing your home
- Evacuate to higher ground immediately (see Evacuation Checklist)

If flood waters are steadily rising:
- Move valuable items to upper floors or onto counter tops
- Prepare for evacuation (see Evacuation Checklist)
- Make the call to evacuate before flood waters cut off your escape routes
- If you evacuate, turn off gas, propane, and electrical power
- Do not attempt to walk through flood waters
- Do not attempt to drive your vehicle through fast-flowing water
- Do not attempt to drive your vehicle through water deeper than 6 inches

If your food comes in contact with flood waters:
- Do not eat any food that has come in contact with flood waters
- Discard all food that is not in water-proof containers
- Do not trust screw lids, pop tops, or snap tops
- Discard cardboard juice, milk, or formula boxes
- Discard damaged canned goods
- All-metal cans and retort pouches must be sanitized before opening
- Follow USDA methods for food salvage (Click Here)

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Safe Rooms

A safe room is an area in your home that is protected against natural or man-made disasters and/or terrorist attacks. The criteria for the shelter's design is dependent on the purpose for which the shelter is intended, and the geographical conditions in your area. Safe rooms should be able to protect the inhabitants, even if the home is damaged or destroyed in the disaster or attack.

Tornadoes - A tornado shelter is intended to protect people for a short period of time against 250 mph winds and flying debris. A tornado shelter can be smaller than a hurricane shelter and does not require accomodations for sleeping. The best location for a tornado shelter is below grade. If a tornado safe room is built within the home, it should be secured to the foundation and should have walls and a ceiling that are not attached to the walls of the home. The construction materials should be strong enough to withstand the impact of a 2"x4" stud flying at 250 mph.

Hurricanes - A hurricane shelter is intended to protect people for longer periods of time against 150 mph winds and flying debris, as well as rain and flooding. Safe rooms should not be built in homes located within a storm surge area or flood zone, and residents of homes in these areas should not attempt to shelter in place. Hurricane shelters should follow the same general guidelines as tornado shelters, but they should be larger, since the occupants will need to eat, drink, sleep, and use sanitation facilities.

Terrorist or NBC Attacks/Accidents - A terrorism safe room is intended to protect people for up to 7 days against small arms, explosives, nuclear fallout, and/or chemical/biological agents. Safe rooms of this type work best if located below grade, and can be very expensive to build. To be effective, terroism safe rooms must have a secure entrance and must provide the occupants with a filtered and safe air supply. These safe rooms must have an independent energy source that is protected from electro-magnetic pulse (EMP). Provisions must be made for food, water, and sanitation. Sufficient space should be allotted for sleeping.

FEMA has developed safe room plans for homes and small businesses. Click Here to view FEMA Publication 320: "Taking Shelter From the Storm: Building a Safe Room For Your Home or Small Business."

FEMA has also developed a strategy for keeping employees in large companies safe against terrorist attacks. Click Here to view FEMA Publication 453: "Risk Management Series - Safe Rooms and Shelters - Protecting People Against Terrorist Attacks."

For more information on long-term survival shelters, visit the Long-Term Survival page.

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Evacuation

Your decision to make

Prepare for evacuation ahead of time

Know when to make the call

Exercise good judgment

Do not stay if you are not prepared

If you stay:

Load up supplies for evacuation immediately
Have a worst-case scenario backup plan that ensures survival
Do not hamper or burden emergency response personnel
Help your neighbors

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Vital Supplies

Automobile kit

First-Aid kit

72-hour kit

Disaster-specific items
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Emergency Air Filtration/Purification

Disposable masks

Respirators

Emergency escape hoods

NBC masks
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Emergency Water Supply

Portable storage

Emergency filtration

Purification
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Emergency Food Supply

Meals Ready-To-Eat (MREs)

High-protein foods

Dehydrated foods

Comfort items
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Sanitation

Personal hygiene items

Communal waste disposal
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Emergency Shelter

Shelter-in-place

Personal/portable

Privacy

Tornado

NBC

Warmth
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Emergency Lighting

Glow sticks

Flashlights

Batteries

Power interruption backup

Candles

Lanterns

Solar outdoor lights
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Emergency Communications

Direct plug-in telephone

Battery/wind-up radio

Walkie-talkies

Citizens-band radio

HAM radio

Morse code/semaphore

Encryption/ciphers
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Emergency Tools and Equipment

General

Cooking Gear

Volcano Stove

Fire

NBC

Flood
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Pets/Animals

Food

Medications

Travel kennel/cage

Muzzle
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