"LEARN-PREPARE-SURVIVE"

Disaster/Biological Event Planning for Individuals and Families

Marion Thornton, RN, MSN, FNP-C

Patrick M Renfro, RN, MSN, CRC

In response to the many questions we as nurses have been asked by members of the community regarding emergency preparedness, the Colorado Nurses Association has developed the following recommendations. It is our belief that individual/family preparedness is essential to surviving any disaster/biological event. We would like to emphasize the importance of learning about and actually preparing an individual/family emergency plan.

Disasters can take many forms. Disasters like floods, fires and earthquakes may be unpredictable and require advanced planning. In the event of a biological event (anthrax, avian flu pandemic, etc.), it is also paramount that individuals and families be prepared to protect themselves against disease. Good hand washing, barrier protection such as disposable gloves and masks, and avoidance of public places are among the most effective methods of preventing the spread of disease. Pharmaceutical prevention or treatment of a specific infectious disease may take days or even months to reach everyone. The following is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good place to start. We have included at list of resources for more detailed information.

Each individual/family plan needs to address three time frames.

1. If you must leave home immediately (fire, flood, earthquake, etc) monitor emergency communications and announcements. Plan for a means to take what you will need with you. Vehicles may not be usable. Have a plan for an alternative such as carts, wagons and wheeled luggage. Create a family evacuation plan including where to meet.

a. Have a water tight case for important documents such as a copy of birth certificate, passport, and insurance papers for home/auto/health. Have this prepared in advance.

b. Medications: Keep a 30 day supply of prescription medications on-hand, reorder when they get to this level. Keep all meds in a central location for easy pick up. Keep a cold pack in the freezer for any medication needing refrigeration (e.g. insulin). Have a basic first aid kit available.

c. Water: Use non breakable containers. Take at least 2 quarts of water per day per individual for drinking.

d. Food: Have a supply of light weight, compact foods available. This should include dehydrated, ready-to-eat meals, emergency ration bars, energy bars, dried fruit, and nuts. Have manual can and bottle openers.

e. Clothing: 2-3 sets of underwear and socks, 1 pair pants, 1 long sleeve shirt, rain gear, hat and coat. Durable clothing like jeans and sweat shirts are best.

f. Light weight sleeping bags, or tarps and blanket or small, light-weight tent.

g. Fire starting supplies like water proof matches. Flash light, battery operated radio, and extra batteries.

h. Animal transporter and pet food and a small plastic bowl for water.

i. Store supplies in a waterproof "stow and go" container with a lid, or use a wheeled plastic trash can, backpacks or duffle bag.

2. If you must stay home for 72 hours plan to do so without utilities like electricity, gas, water, or sanitation. In addition to the "leave home" supplies above, include:

a. Water: 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking, food preparation and sanitation. Use water in your water heater; fill bathtubs after sealing the drain or use non-degradable containers intended for water use only.

b. Food: 3 days of non-perishable food per person, at least one well balanced meal per day per person. Dehydrated and ready-to-eat meals, ration bars, canned meals, dried fruit, canned fruit and vegetables, spices. Manual can and bottle openers. Include a baby food grinder, strainer and powdered formula, if necessary.

c. Battery operated radio, flash light and extra batteries. 36 hour emergency candles-provides light and some heat. Use in enclosed candle holder.

d. Plastic sheeting and duct tape.

e. Shut off wrench for utilities (gas or water).

f. Map with the location of the nearest emergency shelter marked. Have a list of emergency phone numbers (cell phones may work). Laminate papers and lists or keep in "zip" plastic bags.

g. Signal devices like flashlight, flares or mirror.

h. Medication and first aid supplies. Keep a 30 day supply of prescription medications on-hand, reorder when they get to this level. Have a basic first aid kit and instruction book (such at Red Cross basic first aid) on hand.

(See the Red Cross Home Disaster Kit - http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_91_,00.html)

3. If you must stay home for 2-3 weeks. Listen to emergency communications for information and instructions. Plan to have limited public services, such as power, water and communications. In an urban setting do not expect everyone to behave in a civil manner. Make sure you and your family stay in a safe shelter at night. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not make yourself a target. Keep valuables out of sight. Do not stress community emergency services by needing to be rescued. You are responsible for your self, your family and your neighbor; make sure you know who and where they are. Encourage them to be prepared as well. In addition to the preparations for 72 hours add the following:

a. Food: Enough for at least one well balanced meal per day per person. Emphasize dehydrated, ready-to-eat meals and canned foods. Include spices. Use perishables first.

b. Water: Make sure your water supply is safe. Conserve water for consumption, be prepared to boil or sanitize water. Store water in non-degradable plastic containers. This web site from the CDC provides guidelines for purifying water (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/pdf/bleach.pdf)

c. Avoid contact with the public if the disaster is biological. If going outside is necessary, stay at a distance from others if possible. You should wear a mask if going to a public place. Wash hands frequently and keep a supply of "waterless" hand cleanser.

d. School/Work: In declared emergencies only first responders may need to go to work after seeing to the security of their own families. Schools and offices are recognized as highly contagious environments. Monitor emergency and public service announcements.

e. Sanitation: Public sewer and water services may be limited. Flush only when necessary and have an alternative waste disposal plan. Keep water use to a minimum. Have other sanitation and personal hygiene supplies available.

f. Have adequate animal supplies, plan for your pets.

Following is a list of disaster preparedness references and resources that can be found on the World Wide Web. They contain a great deal of additional information and suggestions for individuals and families.

If you do not have a computer or access to the internet, visit your local library or ask a friend with internet access or your employer to let you access them.

If you have questions, internet or other resources and references that you would like to share please send them via email to cna@nurses-co.org or by regular mail to Colorado Nurses Association, ATTN: Survive, 1221 South Clarkson, Suite 205 Denver, CO80210

Emergency Preparedness References and Resources for Individuals and Families

Red Cross Getting Ready at Home ( http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_77_,00.html)

Red Cross Disaster Services ( http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_500_,00.html)

Red Cross Disaster Preparation for People with Disabilities ( http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_603_,00.html)

Red Cross Home Disaster Kit ( http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_91_,00.html)

Red Cross emergency Preparedness Kits ( http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_217_,00.html)

Red Cross - En espanol ( http://www.cruzrojaamericana.org/index.asp)

Red Cross Children & Disasters ( http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_602_,00.html)

Red Cross materials for children ( http://www.redcross.org/pubs/dspubs/childmatls.html)

Red Cross family disaster planning ( http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_601_,00.html)

Red Cross Disaster Planning for Seniors ( http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_9_,00.html)

Red Cross - Picking up the Pieces ( http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_23_,00.html)

Red Cross Food Safety in a Power Outage ( http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_564_,00.html)

FEMA ( http://www.fema.gov/)

FEMA en Espanol ( http://www.fema.gov/spanish/index_spa.shtm)

FEMA "Are you ready?" ( http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/)

FEMA "¿Está listo?" ( http://www.fema.gov/spanish/areyouready/index_spa.shtm)

FEMA for kids ( http://www.fema.gov/kids/)

FEMA Creating a Family Plan ( http://www.fema.gov/rrr/famplan.shtm)

FEMA Assisting People with Disabilities ( http://www.fema.gov/rrr/assistf.shtm)

FEMA Food and Water in an Emergency ( http://www.fema.gov/rrr/foodwtr.shtm)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ( http://www.bt.cdc.gov/)

CDC Injuries and Mass Casualties ( http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masstrauma/injuriespub.asp)

CDC Keeping Food and Water Safe in an Emergency ( http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater.asp)

CDC Protecting your Pets in an Emergency ( http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/petprotect.asp)

Dept of Homeland Security, ReadyAmerica "Get a Kit" ( http://www.ready.gov/america/get_a_kit.html)

Dept of Homeland Security, ReadyAmerica "Make a Plan"

( http://www.ready.gov/america/make_a_plan.html)

Dept of Homeland Security, ReadyAmerica "Be Informed"

( http://www.ready.gov/america/be_informed.html)

Dept of Homeland Security, ReadyAmerica - Resouces by State

( http://www.ready.gov/america/states/index.html)

HHS Pandemic Flu Fact Sheet ( http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/factsheet.html)

HHS Pandemic Flu Plan ( http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/pdf/HHSPandemicInfluenzaPlan.pdf)

HHS State and Local Planning for Pandemic Flu ( http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/part2.html)

Disaster and Emergency Preparedness for Women ( http://womenshealth.gov/tools/disaster.htm)

American Vet Med Assoc - Saving the Whole Family ( http://www.avma.org/disaster/)

EPA Methods of Disinfecting Water (also En espanol) ( http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html)

Medication Preparedness ( http://www.ashp.org/emergency/consumerbulletin.cfm)

Family Preparedness Pocket Card ( http://intranet.nctsnet.org/sites/katrina/Shared%20Documents/Family%20Preparedness%20Wallet%20Card.pdf)

Building Evacuation in an Emergency ( http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=811&itemID=20771&URL=Research%20&%20Reports/Fact%20sheets/Safety%20in%20other%20occupancies/High-rise%20buildings/FAQs%20about%20building%20evacuation&cookie%5Ftest=1)

USDA Insulin Storage in an Emergency ( http://www.fda.gov/cder/emergency/insulin.htm)

Ready for Crisis Newsletter ( http://readyforcrisis.com/)

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