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Civil Preparedness

Fire Chief William H. Seward III, is appointed as the Civil Preparedness director. The emergency center for the Town is located in the Police Department. The Local Emergency Plan Committee meets regularly throughout the year to ensure that the plan is updated. Members of this committee include the Fire Chief, Police Chief and Town Manager and representatives from the local utilities and other Town agencies that might be called into service during weather or other Town emergencies.

TOWN OF NORTH BRANFORD

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Disaster Preparedness:
Be Prepared In Case of an Emergency!

Emergencies can happen anywhere at anytime. Would you know what to do if you or a loved one needed help? Here's a quick checklist to see if you and your home are safe:

·  Keep a well-stocked first aid kit. Store medication in a locked cabinet so kids can't access it. Keep cleaning agents and dangerous chemicals out of reach. Keep all substances in their original containers.

·  Fire extinguishers are affordable. Keep one near the furnace, in the garage, and anywhere else a fire may start. Make sure everyone knows how to use them.

·  Never leave a burning candle unattended or sleep while a candle is burning.

·  Space heaters can be dangerous if not used correctly. Make sure yours will shut off if accidentally tipped over.

·  Install smoke, gas and carbon monoxide detectors outside each sleeping area in your home, and change batteries regularly.

·  Make sure family members know how to shut off utilities, and post the phone numbers for gas, water and electricity providers.

·  Create and practice a home emergency/escape plan. Determine a meeting place where your family can go if forced to leave the home; post a note on your door telling others the date and time you left, and where you’re going.

·  Keep a bag stocked with cash, nonperishable food and water (3 days' worth for each family member), battery-powered radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, extra eyeglasses and prescription drugs, change of clothes and sturdy shoes, keys, pet supplies, and blanket or sleeping bag. Make sure all family members know where the bag is kept.

·  Keep a radio, blanket, flashlight, first-aid kit, and fresh batteries in every vehicle.

·  Keep a phone list of emergency contacts in your vehicle and wallet or purse.

·  Children should know their street address and last name, and how to dial 911.

Disaster Preparedness

If a local disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency. Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. This checklist will help you get started. Discuss these ideas with your family, then prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone will see it--on the refrigerator or bulletin board. For additional information about how to prepare for hazards in your community, contact your local emergency management office and your American Red Cross chapter.

Emergency Checklist:

• Call Your Emergency Management Office or American Red Cross Chapter
• Find out which disasters could occur in your area.
• Ask how to prepare for each disaster.
• Ask how you would be warned of an emergency.
• Learn your community's evacuation routes.
• Ask about special assistance for elderly or disabled persons.
• Ask your workplace about emergency plans.
• Learn about emergency plans for your children's school or day care center.

Create An Emergency Plan

• Meet with household members. Discuss with children the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
• Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur.
• Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.
• Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room.
• Learn how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at main switches.
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.
• Teach children how and when to call 911, police, and fire.
• Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.
• Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area).
• Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls.
• Pick two meeting places.
  - A place near your home in case of a fire.
  - A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.
• Take a Basic First Aid and CPR Class
• Keep family records in a water-and fire-proof container.

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit

Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy-to-carry container, such as a backpack or duffle bag. Include:

• A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months.
• A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.
• A change of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes.
• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• A first aid kit and prescription medications.
• An extra pair of glasses.
• A battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
• Credit cards and cash.
• An extra set of car keys.
• A list of family physicians.
• A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices, such as pacemakers.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.

Escape Plan

In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your house, apartment, or mobile home on a moment's notice. You should be ready to get out fast.

Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Using a black or blue pen, show the location of doors, windows, stairways, and large furniture. Indicate the location of emergency supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid kits, and utility shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from each room. Finally, mark a place outside of the home where household members should meet in case of fire. Be sure to include important points outside, such as garages, patios, stairways, elevators, driveways, and porches. If your home has more than two floors, use an additional sheet of paper. Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least two times each year.

Home Hazard Hunt

In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a potential hazard.

• Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
• Fasten shelves securely.
• Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
• Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Secure water heater. Strap to wall studs.
• Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations.
• Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products away from heat sources.
• Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans.
• Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors, and gas vents.

If You Need to Evacuate. . .

• Listen to a battery-powered radio for the location of emergency shelters.
• Follow instructions of local officials.
• Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Lock your home.
• Use travel routes specified by local officials.

If you are sure you have time ...

• Shut off water, gas, and electricity, if instructed to do so.
• Let others know when you left and where you are going.
• Make arrangements for pets. Animals are not be allowed in public shelters.

Prepare an Emergency Car Kit:

• Battery powered radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Blanket
• Booster cables
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
• First aid kit and manual
• Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.
• Maps
• Shovel
• Tire repair kit and pump
• Flares
• Fire Safety

Plan two escape routes out of each room.

• Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire.
• Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In a fire, feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find another way out.
• Install smoke detectors. Clean and test smoke detectors once a month.
• Change batteries at least once a year.
• Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members in case of fire.
• Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets.
• Purchase a fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
• Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house.
• Consider installing home sprinklers.

Shelter-In-Place in an Emergency

What Shelter-in-Place Means

One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there. It does not mean sealing off your entire home or office building.

Why You Might Need to Shelter-in-Place

Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidentally or intentionally into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television and radio stations on how to protect you and your family. Because information will most likely be provided on television and radio, it is important to keep a TV or radio on, even during the workday. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.

How to Shelter-in-Place

At Home:

• Bring pets inside.
• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
• Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your family disaster supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
• Go to an interior room without windows that's above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
• Bring your pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select. Call your emergency contact and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
• Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

At Work:

• Close the business.
• If there are customers, clients, or visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay - not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.
• Unless there is an imminent threat, ask employees, customers, clients, and visitors to call their emergency contact to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
• Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the business is closed, and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise it is safe to leave.
• Close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.
• If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
• Have employees familiar with your building's mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air - these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
• Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
• Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows will work well. Avoid selecting a room with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because this equipment may not be able to be sealed from the outdoors.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.
• Bring everyone into the room(s). Shut and lock the door(s).
• Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your business' designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you, and their affiliation with your business (employee, visitor, client, customer.)
• Keep listening to the radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community. In Your Vehicle: If you are driving a vehicle and hear advice to "shelter-in-place" on the radio, take these steps:
• If you are very close to home, your office, or a public building, go there immediately and go inside. Follow the shelter-in-place recommendations for the place you pick described above.
• If you are unable to get to a home or building quickly and safely, then pull over to the side of the road. Stop your vehicle in the safest place possible. If it is sunny outside, it is preferable to stop under a bridge or in a shady spot, to avoid being overheated.
• Turn off the engine. Close windows and vents.
• If possible, seal the heating/air conditioning vents with duct tape.
• Listen to the radio regularly for updated advice and instructions.
• Stay where you are until you are told it is safe to get back on the road. Be aware that some roads may be closed or traffic detoured. Follow the directions of law enforcement officials.

Local officials on the scene are the best source of information for your particular situation. Following their instructions during and after emergencies regarding sheltering, food, water, and clean up methods is your safest choice.

Remember that instructions to shelter-in-place are usually provided for durations of a few hours, not days or weeks. There is little danger that the room in which you are taking shelter will run out of oxygen and you will suffocate.

Terrorism Alert System

Low Condition - Green

Low risk of terrorist attacks. The following Protective Measures may be applied:

·  Refining and exercising preplanned Protective Measures

·  Ensuring personnel receive training on HSAS, departmental, or agency-specific Protective Measures; and

·  Regularly assessing facilities for vulnerabilities and taking measures to reduce them.

Guarded Condition - Blue

General risk of terrorist attack. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:

·  Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations;

·  Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures; and

·  Providing the public with necessary information.

Elevated Condition - Yellow

Significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:

·  Increasing surveillance of critical locations;

·  Coordinating emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions;

·  Assessing further refinement of Protective Measures within the context of the current threat information; and

·  Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.

High Condition - Orange

Orange High risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:

·  Coordinating necessary security efforts with armed forces or law enforcement agencies;

·  Taking additional precaution at public events;

·  Preparing to work at an alternate site or with a dispersed workforce; and Restricting access to essential personnel only.

Severe Condition - Red

Severe risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the previously outlined Protective Measures, the following may be applied:

·  Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning specially trained teams;

·  Monitoring, redirecting or constraining transportation systems;

·  Closing public and government facilities; and

·  Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs.

REMEMBER:

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!

CALL 911

Overview

A pandemic occurs in many localities - perhaps even worldwide - almost simultaneously. Because of this, much of the planning for a pandemic must be the responsibility of state and local governments. Community strategies that delay or reduce the impact of a pandemic (also called non-pharmaceutical interventions) may help reduce the spread of disease until a vaccine is available.

You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic.

1. To plan for a pandemic:

o                    Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.

o                    Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.

o                    Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.

o                    Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.

o                    Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.

o                    Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

2. To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:

o                    Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the correct behavior.

o                    Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior.

o                    Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick.

3.       Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:

Planning Guidelines
Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation (PDF - 10.3 MB)
CDC guidelines on actions, designed primarily to reduce contact between people, that community government and health officials can take to try to limit the spread of infection should a pandemic flu develop.

The 50 states, the District of Columbia , three local jurisdictions ( New York City , Chicago and Los Angeles County ), five U.S. Territories and three Freely Associated States of the Pacific are sharing $325 million in cooperative agreement emergency supplemental funds to fill gaps in their pandemic influenza preparedness plans and to test these plans. Funds were made available in two phases. Phase one, $100M, was announced January 12, 2006 . Phase two, $225M, was announced July 11, 2006 .
State and Local Funding Distribution Chart >>
Phase I Allocation Press Release >>
Phase II Allocation Press Release >>

To help coordinate planning, HHS and other federal agencies are holding pandemic planning summits with public health, emergency management, and response leaders in each state. HHS has also prepared a State & Local Planning Checklist, and will work with states to design exercises to evaluate preparedness.

State-by-State Pandemic Information

Each state page contains information about the state pandemic plan, summit materials, formal agreements, and other pandemic information pertaining to the state.

State Pandemic Plans

State Pandemic Plans
Access all state pandemic plans that are currently available.

Statewide Pandemic Influenza Operation Plans - Reports Due March 1, 2007
As part of the national strategy for pandemic influenza, states must submit information on their operations plans.

Template for State Pandemic Influenza Operations Plan (PDF - 104 KB)  (DOC - 280 KB) ( U.S. Health & Human Services)

State & Local Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist

Planning Guides

Providing Mass Medical Care with Scarce Resources: A Community Planning Guide (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
For State, local, community, and facility planners, this guide discusses ethical and legal issues, and considerations regarding prehospital care, hospital/acute care, palliative care, and alternative care sites. Chapter 8 is a 29-page case study for a flu pandemic.

Antivirals - State Allocations

Chart showing the individual state allocations of antivirals from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stockpile.

State Contacts

Contact Information for State Departments of Agriculture, Wildlife, and Public Health
Find information on how to contact the departments in your state, by mail and by phone. When available, fax numbers and Web addresses are also provided.

Emergency Management Assistance Compact

Quick Tips  (PDF - 36 KB) (Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

This document serves as a brief orientation to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) for states. This document should be used by any entity of State government that wishes to request assistance from another state during a Governor-declared state of emergency.

Pandemic Planning: A Convening of the States

At the direction of President Bush, Secretary Mike Leavitt, HHS, convened senior state and local officials from across the country on December 5, 2005 to establish an integrated federal-state influenza-pandemic planning process. The White House Homeland Security Council, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture also participated in the meeting.

The Great Pandemic of 1918: State by State

Read stories and anecdotes of the impact of the Great Pandemic in individual states. This historical information was gathered for presentation at Pandemic Planning Summits held in each state.

Related Links

Pandemic Influenza (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials)
Access information and resources for state pandemic planning meetings.
Preparing for a Pandemic Influenza: A Primer for Governors and Senior State Officials (PDF) (1.12MB) (National Governors Association Center for Best Practices)
Read the NGA's report focused on the considerations states must make when developing policies in preparation for a potential pandemic.

Additional updates will be posted as necessary, for further information please contact Town Hall 203-484-6000.

TOWN OF NORTH BRANFORD , CT

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

909 FOXON ROAD

NORTH BRANFORD , CT 06471

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