STAT | Collaborating Agencies Responding To Disasters

5-Minute Message: Drop, Cover, and Hold On Revisited

You probably know about (and hopefully have practiced) the recommended protective action for earthquake safety: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

The basics are:

DROP to the floor: it’s safer to sit than to fall or to be thrown to the ground.

Take COVER under sturdy furniture: to help protect yourself from falling hazards (the most likely danger) during an earthquake.

HOLD ON to whatever you get under: because during shaking, furniture can “walk” away.

Telling people to do these actions is a small step; getting people to physically practice them is a huge step. If people can’t or won’t take these actions, discuss ways that they can make their environment safer, and have them practice simple ways to protect their head and neck.

Everyone should know how to take basic steps to keep themselves safe!

Tip: When practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On remember that proper position is head down, eyes closed, and face turned away from the hazards. Ignore those pictures showing people with their heads up, eyes open, smiling for the cameras!

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July 26th, 2010 | Category: 2010, STAT, STAT 5MM | Leave a comment

5-Minute Message: Shelter-in-Place (SIP)

Depending on the emergency situation, sometimes the safest choice is to stay where you are and protect yourself. Everyone should know how to “Shelter-in-Place” or make their current location a safe haven. Here are the first key steps to master (notice that they are helpful for many situations):

1) SHELTER by going indoors.

2) SHUT doors and windows.

3) LISTEN for information (TV, radio, internet, etc.)

If there is an airborne hazard or other danger and you have to stay where you are for several hours, you’ll need some supplies: food and water; emergency radio; critical medications and a phone to communicate. Other Shelter-in-Place protective actions include choosing an internal room, closing vents, sealing off cracks, turning off motors, fans, etc.

Remember: With a little creativity, most spaces can be turned into a temporary shelter!

Tip: Download this Shelter-in-Place checklist and make it available to your team.

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July 19th, 2010 | Category: 2010, STAT 5MM | Leave a comment

5-Minute Message: Evacuation Checklist

Many emergencies cause the need to evacuate. Creating a checklist in advance can help you evacuate more smoothly. Some items to include:

Pre-designated and clearly labeled “Rally Point” (and back-up location) — where everyone will meet.
Maps identifying exits and routes to Rally Points.
People assigned to check that everyone heard the evacuation message and is able to comply.
Reminder to perform a headcount before leaving, and again after reaching the rally point safely. If evacuating from a meeting, use sign-in sheets to help account for people.
Person (and backup) tasked to grab the agency go-kit (also note go-kit location!)

Remember to leave a note telling people where you’ve gone, the time you left, and the route you plan to take – so your friends, family, and loved ones will not worry.

Tip: Know how long it takes to evacuate everyone from your agency – timed from when you get the message to evacuate to when the last person is safely at the Rally Point.

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July 12th, 2010 | Category: 2010, STAT, STAT 5MM | Leave a comment