About your Family Safety Emergency Plan

Our beautiful island is often struck by disaster. Fires, Floods, Earthquakes and Typhoon are a few example. This Family Safety Emergency Plan has been designed to help you take action for these and other emergencies. It has also been designed to help you with medical and general safety issues.

We hope you will take safety and disaster warnings seriously by reading this Family Safety Emergency Plan and following the guidelines enclosed. The preparing you do know will reduce personal and material loss and create the safety net you need when an emergency arises.

Before, During & After Emergency

“Before, During and After” information is vital. Include it in family meetings. This page is useful for most disasters, including the ones on the following two pages.

Emergency “WATCH” means a major emergency is possible in your area.

*Listen to local radio or TV or log on to our Web Page for advise.   *Review your Emergency Plan.

*Make sure you have a supply of water and food, along with new batteries for your radio and flashlight.

*Be prepared to act promptly if an emergency “warning” is issued. Emergency “warning” means a major emergency is approaching your area.

*Stay tuned to local radio, TV or log on to our Web Page.   *Review your Emergency Plan.

*Take appropriate action immediately.

Before

5 Steps to Prepare ... Do These Annually

1. Fill out the Family Safety Emergency Plan, put it on your refrigerator & update.

2. Have a household meeting & assess your preparedness needs.

3. Train family & practice drills (i.e., evacuation, fire, earthquake, typhoon, etc.

4. Obtain emergency supplies. Prepare to be self-reliant for at least 72 hours. (See last page in Family Safety Emergency Plan.)

5. Reduce household hazards. (See utility & hazards pages)

During

*Stay calm, think what your doing before you act.

*Review Family Safety Emergency Plan and other materials.

*Assemble Family and stay together.

*Determine and take appropriate Actions.

*Listen to radio and tv and stay tuned for advise.

*Keep flashlights, batteries, portable radio handy.

*Use your telephone only for emergency purposes.

*Only call emergency services (police, ambulance, fire, hospital) if you actually need assistance.

*Don’t go sightseeing in disaster areas.

*Don’t enter restricted areas blocked off by authorities

*If evacuating : before leaving, disconnect electrical appliances and if advised by  local authorities, shut off electric circuits at the fuse panel and gas service at the meter. Also post a note so friends know where to find you.

Note: 911 may be busy or out of order due to a disaster. Stay calm. Review your Family Safety Emergency Plan and other material for guidance. (Public phone may work when private lines are down.  

After

*follow “During” information (above)

*Check for injuries. Apply first aid. Do not move seriously injured people, unless they’re in immediate danger.

*Put on hard-soled shoes and work gloves to protect yourself from debris.

*Look for hazards. Check for gas & water leaks, damaged electrical wiring, broken glass.

*Use flashlights, NOT lanterns, matches, candles; flammable may be present.

*Check building for damage & unsafe structural hazards. Don’t go in if unsafe.

*Assess emergency supplies, food, water and determine priority needs.

*Follow local instructions regarding safety of drinking water, street, etc.

*Do not use car except for emergencies. Keep streets clear.

*Check with neighbors. Lend others a hand. (Elderly, people with disabilities, etc.)

*Avoid downed power lines and broken gas lines. Report these immediately.

*If gas was turned off: Do not turn gas back on yourself. This may cause an explosion. Rely on utility crew.

Other Important Tips

*Prepare to assemble a disaster supply kit. (See Typhoon)

*Learn how to shut off utilities (gas, water and electricity).

*Take a CPR and First Aid class.

*Identify Special needs (children, medical and disabilities).

*Have neighborhood meeting at least once year.

*Know the potential disasters in your area.(Obtain insurance if authorities advise.)

*Keep important documents in safe-deposit box. (Copies at home in binder.)

*Establish an “out-of-area contact”. (Friends & family will know who to contact.)

Fires

Escaping from a Building

*If you smell smoke or see fire, get out quickly, then call Fire Dept.

*Before opening door, feel door quickly with back of hand.

*If door is hot, go out another exit. (The other room is probably on fire.)

*If door is cool, kneel down and check air coming in under the door. If air is cool, the room may be safe to enter.

*When opening door to a room you think is cool, kneel behind door, open it a little with face turned away from opening. Listen and smell for fire and smoke.

*Close all windows and doors behind as you leave.

*Crawl low under smoke to escape.

*Use stairway, NOT elevator.

If You Cannot Escape Quickly

*Protect yourself with wet cloths around hands, face, nose and mouth and dampen your clothes.

*Place wet towel at bottom of door to prevent smoke from entering.

*After placing wet towel, open window slightly. Hang something out the window to attract attention. Leave window open slightly. Get down low for ventilation.

*If clothes catch fire: stop, drop to ground and roll over to put out flames.

Floods

When a Flood WATCH is Issued

*Listen to local radio or TV for information.        *Fill car’s gas tank.

*Move furniture, valuables to higher ground.       *Evacuate, if told to do so.

When a Flood WARNING is Issued

*Listen to local radio, TV or log on to our Web Page for advice. If told to evacuate, do so quickly.

When a Flash Flooding  WATCH is Issued

*If you suspect flooding, go to safety immediately.

When a Flash Flooding  WATCH is Issued

* If you suspect flooding, go to safety immediately.

When a Flash Flood Warning is Issued

*Leave low-lying area immediately.

*If driving in low-lying area or if car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out of car and seek higher ground immediately.

*Stay away from storm drains and irrigation ditches.

*During flash flooding you may have only seconds to escape.

*Police barricades are for your protection. Do not drive through them.

*Flood waters over roads/bridges have more force than you may think.

*Walking or driving through flood water is very dangerous.

Chemical Emergencies

If told to “Protect your Breathing”

*Cover your mouth and nose with damp cloth (it acts as a filter).

*Turn off heating, air conditioning and fans.

*Close all windows and doors in building or car.

If told to find “Shelter in Place”

*Go inside building to room with  the fewest windows and doors (except basement where fumes may settle). Take radio, leave only when safe.

*Seal gaps around door/windows/exhaust fans with wet towels or thick tape. Turn off furnace and air conditioner.

If told to “Evacuate”

*Stay clam and listen carefully. Be sure evacuation applies to you.

*Follow advice of local officials.    L Protect your Breathing.

Thunder & Lightning Storms

*Go inside for protection immediately.     L If in hard top car, stay there.

*Stay away from windows, water, faucets, sinks, bathtubs and telephones.

*Turn off and unplug televisions, computers and other appliances.

*If outside, stay away from tall trees, open fields or waters, bicycles, golf clubs, tractors, fences and other metal objects.

*If caught in an open space or field, crouch low to the ground.

Earthquake

*Stay calm, if inside, stay there and take cover where you are.

*Duck, Cover & Hold: DUCK OR DROP down to the floor. Take COVER under a sturdy desk, table or other furniture. If that is not possible, seek cover against an interior wall. Protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid danger spots near windows, hanging objects, or tall furniture. If you take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, HOLD on to it and be prepared to move with it. Hold the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move.

*Be prepared of aftershocks.

Tips Outside Your Home

*High-Risk Building - move against an interior wall if you are not near a desk or table. Protect your head with your arms. Do not use the elevators.

*Outdoors - move to clear area away from trees, signs, buildings, or downed electrical wires or poles.

*Sidewalk Near Building - duck into doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass & other debris.

*Driving - pull over to the side of road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines. Stay inside vehicle until shaking stops.

*Store - move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall. Do not rush for the exit.

*Stadium or Theater - stay in seat, get below the level of the back of the seat and cover your head with your arms.

Tsunamis

If you are at home and hear there is a tsunami warning, you should make sure your entire family is aware of the warning. Your family should evacuate your house if you live in a tsunami evacuation zone. High, multi-story, reinforced concrete hotels are located in many low-lying coastal areas. The upper floors of these hotels can provide a safe place to find refuge should there be a tsunami warning and you cannot move quickly inland to higher grounds.

Saipan Evacuation Route

*San Antonio  go to Koblerville

*Chalan Piao, Chalan Kanoa and Susupe go to As Lito and As Perdido

*Civic Center, San Jose, Chalan Laulau & Chalan Kiya  go to Northern Marianas College

*Sadog Tasi & Tanapag go to Capital Hill

*Achugao and San Roque go to As Matuis

Tinian Evacuation Route

*All Village Near Water Front& Low-Lying Areas go to Marpo Heights or Carolinas Heights

Rota Evacuation Route

*All Village Near Water Front & Low-Lying Areas go to Taimama area or Ka'an area

Typhoon

When a Typhoon WATCH is Issued

*Listen to local radio, TV or log on to our Web Page for information.

* Prepare to board up all windows. (Install typhoon shutters or precut plywood for each window. Install anchors for plywood and pre-drill holes in the plywood for easy installing.)

*Bring objects inside that could fly around, (i.e., trash cans, bikes, toys and lawn furniture).

*Begin to assemble a disaster supply kit.

*Recheck manufactured home shutters.

*Keep Family Safety Emergency Plan handy with phone #’s.

*Fill your car’s gas tank with gasoline.

*Identify several places where you can go if told to evacuate (i.e., friends home, motel/hotel, shelter).

*Road map marked with 2 alternative routes.

*If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.

When a Typhoon WARNING is Issued

*If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.

*Have your disaster supply kit on hand and ready to use.

*Stay indoors and away from windows, if you are advised not to evacuate.

*Beware of the calm center or eye of the typhoon. This calm center lasts only seconds. The most severe part of the storm comes just after the calm eye is present.

Lighting / Trips & Falls Safety

*Keep a night-light on for your path to the bathroom.

*Store by bed: flashlight, batteries and sturdy shoes.

*Light switches should be at top and bottom and stairs and next to room entrance so you don’t need to walk into dark room.

*Place security lights in your bedroom and hallway. They plug into any outlet and light up automatically if there is a loss of electricity.

*Make sure your floors are not slippery. Use non-skid wax, slip-resistant floor mats, tub/shower rubber mats.

*Keep hallways and pathways clear of clutter, electrical cords, etc.

*Make sure carpets lie flat. Secure rugs and runners with carpet tape or non-skid backing. Remove unnecessary small rugs.

Falling Objects Safety

*Remove heavy objects from top shelves.

*Install safety latches on cabinets.

*Secure heavy objects that could fall: water heater, mirrors, shelves, pictures, cabinets, bookcases.

*Keep bed and favorite chairs away from windows, bookcases and other heavy objects that could fall on you.

*Secure small appliances and breakable items with velcro-type fasteners.

Medication & Chemical Safety

*Remove unnecessary chemicals and medication from home.

*Keep medications and chemicals away from children.

*Use child-resistant caps. Lock cabinets and storage areas.

*Don’t take two or more prescriptions without doctor’s OK.

*Make sure all chemicals/medications are labeled.

Neighborhood Safety

*Create a personal support network. Identify a friend/neighbor. Agree to check on each other after a disaster. Try to pick someone within sight of your home. Swap keys and lists of who to notify in emergency.

*Create a neighborhood preparedness plan and watch group.

*Attend fire department’s Emergency Response Team Training.

*Have a neighbor keep watch over your home when you are away.

Seeing & Hearing

*Flashlight with batteries

*Portable radio with batteries

*Extra batteries

*Extra pair of glasses

Medical & Sanitation

*First aid handbook

*First aid kit: gauze, bandages, aspirin, tape, scissors, disinfectants, antiseptics, and non-prescription medications

*Prescription Medication for at least 7 days

*Medical / special needs equipment (identify & keep handy)

*Plastic garbage bags, chlorine and shovel for personal waste

Personal Documents

*Ownership certificates for autos, boats, etc.

*Household inventory, pictures of each room at two angles

*Lists of credit cards, checking and savings account #’s

*Wills

*Copy of driver’s license

Food & Water

*Non-perishable food for 3 days, 1 to 3 pounds per person per day of : dried fruit, nonfat dry milk, canned tuna, stew, beans, canned fruit juice, nuts, graham crackers, etc.

*Baby and pet food and water for at least 3 days

*3-6 gallons of water per person manual can opener and utensils Cooking tools: camp stove or grill, fuel, charcoal, matches

Safety Equipment

*Fire extinguisher (ABC type)

*smoke detector and fire alarm

*10" crescent wrench for gas valve

*whistle: blow if trapped or threatened

*Other tools : Signal flare, pocket knife, ax, shovel, 30"-36" Crow bar, etc.

Miscellaneous

*Money: small bills, roll of quarters (ATM machines may not be working)

*Infant and pet needs as applicable

*Important papers (Keep together & Accessible)

*Set of warm clothing, sturdy shoes and gloves

*Bedding: blankets/sleeping bag, tarp/plastic sheets, tent

Storage

*Store Supplies in a sturdy trash barrel or put in a box, suitcase, back-pack or duffel bag and store in the closet, garage or other safe place.

*Have bag on hand to carry items if evacuation is needed.

*Top of Barrel Leather gloves,  Flashlight, Batteries, First aid kit

*Middle of Barrel Food

*Bottom of Barrel Clothing & bedding

Note: Keep water in separate containers. Label your containers “Emergency Supplies”

Car & Work

*Sturdy walking shoes              *Money (small bills & quarter)

*Non-perishable food               *Scissors or Knife

*1 gallon of water                      *Flares, fire extinguisher

*First aid kit & handbook         *Car fuel tank at least 1/4 full

*Radio, Flashlight, batteries    *Emergency Blanket

Family Safety Emergency Plan Instruction

1. If necessary, ask someone to help you fill out your Safety plan.

2. Fill in the information with a pencil so you can easily update your plan.

3. Don’t put off becoming prepared. Make a “to do list” of 3 to 5 priorities And do something each month.

4. Hold a family meeting once a year to review and update your safety plan.

Emergency Management Office Resources

Safety Plan. Encourage your relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers to obtain a Safety Plan and become prepared.